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2003
Leek's
"little Warsaw" - a forgotten community? The project to
remember it |
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Polish Eagle - a national symbol for Poles |
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North
Staffordshire & South Cheshire are home to a surprising number
of Polish communities.
BBC reporter Ros Chimes decided she wanted to uncover their story...
she describes how it happened.
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Do
you have memories of Polish communities across Staffordshire
& South Cheshire?
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Many people
associate struggle and persecution during World War Two with the Jews.
But Poles too faced violent evictions from their own homeland, as
well as years in Russian labour camps.
After the war, many of the Poles were resettled across Europe - many
choosing to come to Britain.
In this region, they settled in Stoke on Trent (in Longton particularly),
in Crewe, and ... in the Staffordshire Moorlands town of Leek.
The Polish community had a huge impact on Leek after the
war, but many of the faces, customs and stories are being forgotten.
Together with the community, we've created an archive of audio,
video and photos - which can them be used by anyone who wants
to know more about the Polish community in the town.  |
Ros
Chimes
BBC Stoke Reporter |
Resettlement camp
Just outside Leek, at Blackshaw Moor, was the Anzio army camp.
This was converted into a resettlement camp for many Poles, who then
made Leek their home.
Project
In my daily work as the district correspondent for the BBC in the
Staffordshire Moorlands, I came across many of those people who had
to come to this country for safety - and a life.
To
hear Ros's reports on life for the Polish who had to seek
safety in Britain
Click here
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The project was meant first to simply look at the life of those early
Polish refugees - the history, why they came to Leek, what life was
like at the camp, the problems and prejudices they faced, and why
many decided to stay and make Leek their home - but it grew and grew!
Compact Disc...
The big building society based in Leek, The Britannia, heard of the
project and asked if they could become involved too.
In the end, they agreed to sponsor an audio CD, to the tune of £120,
which is a recording of all the interviews I undertook - and which
will be distributed to libraries and schools all around the area,
as a teaching aid about the local Polish heritage.
... and school involvement
The local primary school near to the old Blackshaw Moor camp heard
about that, and teachers organised an art competition there
to see if one of the pupils could come up with a design to figure
on the CD cover.
(Click here to see the children's designs)
Party
We even had a party to celebrate the completion of the CD - which
will be released next month.
(Click here for more about the party)
Future
And, it won't stop there.
Some people have become so enthused, that they are now determined
to put down their memories on paper to work beside the CD.
If there are enough entries on the messageboard
accompanying this project, they too may be added!
And the BBC Learning Centre
in Stoke on Trent has agreed to lay on Polish language classes to
help all those second and third-generation Poles, who want to learn
the tongue of their ancestors.
....and...
But I'm not bowing out completely.
It's a project that I personally have got so much out of that I'm
keeping in touch with everyone who was involved.
Which is why, if you have thoughts to add, I want you to contact me.
I'd love to hear from you!
Ros Chimes (click here to
mail Ros) |
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