POLISH HERITAGE PENLEY
Polska Penley, Preserving a Legacy

Honouring, Celebrating and Preserving Polish Heritage in North Wales

The Rainbow Foundation is proud to deliver Polish Heritage Penley a three-year cultural heritage project made possible through funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This important initiative will honour, celebrate and safeguard the rich Polish heritage rooted in Penley, North Wales “a Polish village within a Welsh village” and once widely known as “Little Poland.”

Following the Second World War, Penley became home to one of the UK’s largest Polish resettlement camps under the Polish Resettlement Act of 1947. The village provided sanctuary to displaced Polish servicemen, women and families who had contributed to the Allied victory but were unable to safely return home after the war.

Today, descendants from across the world continue to trace their family roots back to Penley. However, much of this remarkable history was at risk of being lost. Through active preservation, community engagement and heritage activities, the project now aims to safeguard these stories and ensure this important legacy is celebrated and shared with future generations.

Our Vision

“Polska Penley, Preserving a Legacy” aims to protect this shared Welsh and Polish history through storytelling, education and cultural celebration. The project will preserve personal memories, family histories and community heritage while creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with Penley’s unique story.

Over the course of the three-year project, we will collect oral histories and personal stories from individuals and families with memories of Penley during the time the Polish camps where active 1947 – 1970’s. Through interviews, photographs and memorabilia, the project will capture these personal stories that might otherwise be lost over time.

The project will also focus on preserving photographs, documents, letters and personal memorabilia linked to the Polish community in Penley. These important historical materials will help build a lasting record of the village’s heritage and the lives of those who settled there after the Second World War.
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Contribute Your Story
A heritage walking tour will be developed to highlight key historical locations connected to Penley’s Polish history. This will include important sites within the village, helping residents and visitors better understand the lasting impact of the Polish resettlement community on the area.
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Share Your Information
Throughout the project, a variety of cultural workshops, festivals and community events will take place celebrating Polish & Welsh culture, traditions, food, music, crafts and history.
Walking Tour Information
Volunteer opportunities will form a central part of the initiative, to preserve and share this heritage. Volunteers will support activities such as research, oral history collection, archive development, events, community engagement and more
Upcoming Events and Workshops
The project will also work closely with schools and educational partners to develop learning opportunities linked to Penley’s Polish history. Educational programmes, workshops and heritage resources will help young people explore local history and better understand the experiences of displaced communities following the war.
View Volunteer Opportunities
A new heritage exhibition will be established within the village to showcase the stories, photographs and historical materials gathered during the project. The exhibition will create a lasting space for reflection, learning and celebration of Penley’s Polish legacy.
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Register Your School’s Interest
To ensure global accessibility, the project will also create a digital archive and virtual exhibition in partnership with People’s Collection Wales. These online resources will allow descendants, researchers and visitors from around the world to access and explore Penley’s Polish heritage for generations to come.
View the 2024 Exhibition
The project will also build upon the existing Polish Memorial Garden and earlier community heritage work already carried out in Penley, including the maintenance and care of the Polish graves by a dedicated volunteer group.
Visit site on Peoples Collection Wales
This initiative expands upon the earlier Penley Polish Heritage Project, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which explored local and international interest in preserving and celebrating Penley’s Polish heritage. The strong community response demonstrated the importance of safeguarding this history and helped shape the development of this larger three-year programme.
Earlier Heritage Work

Community and Partnership Support

The Polish Heritage Penley Project is delighted to be working alongside a wide range of supporters and partners, including:

  • The Polish Consulate in Manchester
  • Wrexham University
  • Wrexham Museum
  • The Maelor School, Penley
  • Preserve Penley Hospital
  • St Mary Magdalene Church
  • Penley Village Hall
  • People’s Collection Wales
  • Whitchurch Heritage Centre
  • Chester & Borders Polish Society
  • Maelor South Community Council
  • The Madras School
  • Iscoyd Park Estate
  • The Polish History Society

Their support will help ensure this important heritage is preserved, celebrated and shared widely over the coming years.

Looking ahead

As the 80th anniversary of the Polish Resettlement Act of 1947 approaches, this project offers a timely opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate an important chapter in both Welsh and Polish history.

Rebecca Griffiths, Project Manager at The Rainbow Foundation, said:

“Penley’s Polish camp was once known as ‘Little Poland’ and holds a unique place within both Welsh and Polish history. Through this project we hope to preserve stories, strengthen community connections, and ensure future generations understand and celebrate this remarkable legacy.”

The Polish Heritage Project looks forward to working with volunteers, schools, heritage organisations, descendants and the wider community to bring this important project to life.

For more information or to become a supporter or partner, please contact Project Officer Rebecca Griffiths: 

Call us on 01948 830730

Email: rebecca.griffiths@rainbowfndn.org.uk