Polish Communities

June 28, 2023
Empire Windrush: just another journey for Polish refugees

On the 75th anniversary of Empire Windrush, author Jane Raca has kindly agreed to write this piece: On 22 June 1948 the Empire Windrush, a ship that has become famous...

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January 5, 2023
5 reasons decluttering is so hard in a Polish home

Among my New Year's resolutions, is one to carry on getting a grip on my tidying abilities - in fact, to relearn how to tidy. Tidying a home (particularly if...

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August 31, 2022
Polish Resettlement Camps on British soil link us all

In our search to find out our Polish families' lives both in Poland and in exile, one key element for the Polish soldiers, for their families and also displaced people...

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January 29, 2021
For post-war Polish refugees, learning English was about so much more than words

Do you recognise a cultural divide in your early life between the Polish and English languages?

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July 18, 2020
Raise a toast for Ognisko Polskie, 80 years!

Let's raise a glass this weekend for Ognisko Polskie in Kensington, London, celebrating 80 years of serving the Polish community in exile. A success story which throughout the Second World...

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June 26, 2020
Memories of Penrhos stanica – the end of the Polish scout house

The heady scent of flowers on a summer’s evening is potent as a group of zuchy run excitedly down the road: they have earned the right to spend 10 minutes...

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June 12, 2020
A glimpse into the UK’s ‘old’ Polish community

With planned changes at the Penrhos Residential Polish Home (near Phwhelli in Wales) in mind, I came across a gem of a film about another residential home, Ilford Park in the...

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May 6, 2020
Why did it take 60 long years for Poles to join the Victory Parade?

The official British Victory Parade to celebrate the end of World War II took place in June 1946, once hostilities with Japan had ended. The Parade was a show of...

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August 6, 2018
Obóz harcerski, heaven on earth!

For the last few days I’ve been in the beautiful English countryside on an obóz harcerski (scout camp). I have been on well over 30 obozy at least, a tally...

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May 18, 2018
18 May: The day I ignored Prince Harry

As Royal Wedding fervour reaches fever pitch, the young couple will be spending their last night apart. Prince Harry may for a moment, reflect on some of his previous relationships,...

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