The Leek Polish Connection Exhibition will open this Saturday (18 May) at the Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery.
This exhibition will focus on the lives of the Polish soldiers who settled in the Staffordshire area nearly 80 years ago. It will also examine their families’ lives and the community established in the area.
Around 5,000 Polish soldiers settled in Leek’s Blackshaw Moor Camp in 1946. This demobilisation camp was located on the Leek to Buxton road. Archive material, oral accounts, and props will be presented to illustrate the Polish community’s journey to Leek.
18 May marks 80 years since the Battle of Monte Cassino, a victory for the Polish 2nd Corps. The exhibition will also highlight and celebrate this victory and footage from the battle will be shown.
A poppy installation at the Den Engel courtyard archway will be on display from Friday (17 May) to commemorate the battle.
The Leek Polish Connection Exhibition will run until Saturday 8 June and is open between 10am and 4pm.
Foxlowe Arts Centre are also celebrating the Polish community this Saturday as part of their 1940s Extravaganza. Between 11am and 10pm, Polish craft classes will be held. Additionally, the centre will display its own Blackshaw Moor exhibition. Between 8pm and 9pm, the Polish dance group Polonez will perform.
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
