Active Ageing Charity The Rainbow Foundation recently hosted Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester representatives Consul Michał Mazurk and Consul Radosław Gromski at their wellbeing hub in Penley.
Invited by Penley Polish Heritage Project Officer Rebecca Griffiths, the purpose of the visit was as to share information about the project and explore the ways in which the charity could work in partnership with the Consulate.
Funded by the governments Shared Prosperity Levelling Up Agenda, the Penley Polish Heritage Project will raise awareness and celebrate the Polish soldiers and families who were resettled in Penley after World War 2.
Although delivered through The Rainbow Foundation, this is community project that will include an exhibition and walking tour in the village, the hosting of an American style Tea Dance to echo what was experienced in the Polish camp at the time, and a permanent memorial garden. Working with the People’s Collection Wales, the Penley Polish Heritage Project will also capture the stories and memories of the local community via an oral histories digital archive.

Project Officer Rebecca says: “we are so excited to be capturing Penley’s unique history in this way. There is a lot to do but we already have an incredible team of volunteers who have a personal connection to Penley or an interest to the project.”
“We are thrilled that the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester will be joining the people and organisations we are already working in partnership with to deliver this project. Consul Michał Mazurk was very supportive and thanked us for working on a project that reflects Polish history and we are very excited to develop this partnership.”
It is not too late to get involved. The project team is looking for anyone who has links to Penley and / or it’s Polish community, as well as anyone with an interest in history, gardening, or walking. Contact Rebecca Griffiths on 01948 830730 or via email at Rebecca.Griffiths@therainbowfoundation.org.uk or visit their website at: www.therainbowfoundation.org.uk/penley-polish-heritage-project
The Penley Heritage Project is funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is part of the UK Government Levelling Up agenda.