Polish community celebrated
Southampton Solent University hosted a Polish celebration to bring communities together and encourage cultural diversity.
Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, and Chairman of the All Party Polish Group, gave a presentation during the event, which took place on Friday evening, (9 May) in Southampton Solent University's Sir James Matthews Building .
The evening was introduced by Anna Marcickiewicz, Project Worker with the EU Welcome project and presenter on Unity 101 FM Community Radio, who described her own experience of migrating to Southampton, and some of the issues facing Polish people in the city.
During Dr Whitehead's presentation, 'Starzy Polacy, Nowi Polacy i Witani Polacy?' ('Old Poles, New Poles and Welcome Poles?'), he shed light on the history of Southampton's Polish community, highlighting migration in the first and second world wars, and the new wave of Polish settlers - largely A8 workers - in the last few years.
Dr Whitehead illustrated a typical Polish family migration in the 1940s by talking about the Polish parents of his wife, who settled in the UK in 1947.
He went on to examine migration patterns today, while challenging negative media reports about the Polish community. He said:
"Polish immigration to the UK is good for the UK economy, and although there are some issues – for instance helping schools to accommodate newly arrived children - on the whole, despite inflammatory media, relations are good."
Anna Marcickiewicz described her experience in Southampton, saying:
"We have found people to be particularly welcoming here, particularly within the church and other social groups. We even had an event where local people treated us to some homemade English puddings!"
Southampton Solent University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore introduced and thanked the speakers before the audience enjoyed a traditional British and Polish buffet. He said Southampton Solent University was keen to encourage cultural diversity, adding:
"The Polish community is a very important part of the city, and the University has strong links,"