COMMUNITY members celebrated the fifth nationwide edition of Polish Heritage Day in Worcester on Saturday with a historic visit.

It was the first time that a delegation from the Polish Embassy in London has visited the city. The head of the Consular section, Consul General of the embassy Mateusz Stąsiek, visited Worcester with his family.

Polish Heritage Day commemorates the sacrifices made by Polish people during the Second World War but also celebrated their ongoing contribution to Worcester and to Britain, as well as promoting and celebrating Polish culture, heritage of past generations, and Polish contribution to the cultural, economic, and social life of the United Kingdom.

2019’s inaugural Worcester event drew in large crowds, although the majority of last year’s events had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tomasz Wisniewski, founder and sitting president of the Worcestershire Polish Association (WPA), said:”The day held reinforced values of community purpose and social solidarity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the support provided by the Polish community to our neighbours.

“It was a great day and everything went according to plan and it was historic because we’ve never had a delegate from the Polish Embassy in London visit before.”

The day got underway with a welcoming for the representative from the embassy, Mr Stąsiek, who was greeted with invited guests (with the Polish tradition of greeting visitors with bread and salt) next to the war memorial in Worcester.

Flowers were laid at the memorial and there was also the opening of the Battle of Britain exhibition by the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Jo Hodges and Mr Stąsiek.

There was also an unveiling of the bust of the flying officer Franciszek Surma with the creator of the sculpture, Caro Burberry MRSS.

With Mr Stąsiek, Dr Mark A. Stella-Sawicki, Mr Wisniewski, and WPA director Marcin Szczygiel greeted the Bishop of Worcester Dr John Inge, and the Dean of Worcester Peter Atkinson at the Cathedral.