On the north coast of Wales, in the picturesque area of the Llŵn Peninsula, there is a site of great historical significance – the Polish Village at Penrhos. The settlement was established after the Second World War as a refuge for Polish veterans and their families who were unable or unwilling to return to their communist-ruled homeland. But now, after decades of functioning as a vibrant centre of the Polish community, the site is to be demolished to make way for new housing developments.
Polish Village in Penrhos – history
After the end of the Second World War, thousands of Poles found themselves in the UK, unable or unwilling to return to a country that had come under Soviet control. Many of them were former soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces in the West, including members of General Wladyslaw Anders’ Army, who had been through the hell of Siberia and the combat trail through the Middle East, Italy and Western Europe. A number of settlements were established in aid of the Polish refugees, and one of the most important became Penrhos, organised on the site of a former Royal Air Force (RAF) base. From the late 1940s Penrhos became home to around 200 Poles. The village had its own Catholic church, a library, a scout centre and various social amenities that maintained Polish identity and tradition among the residents. In the centre of the settlement stood a large metal cross with an inscription in three languages – Polish, Welsh and English – ‘W drodze do Wolnej Polski’. It symbolised hope and longing for a homeland that many residents never saw again.
Photo: clwydalyn.co.uk
The decision to demolish the Polish enclave and plans for the future
After decades of operation, the population of the Polish Village began to dwindle. In 2020, the site was handed over to the social housing organisation, ClwydAlyn, which planned a major redevelopment. It will be replaced by 107 new houses and flats, mainly for the elderly and families in financial difficulties. Some elements of the former settlement, including the church and memorial garden, will be retained. However, the decision has been met with disappointment by some residents, especially the older generation, for whom Penrhos was home and a symbol of survival and community. 90-year-old Maria Owsianka, one of the residents, expressed her sadness in an interview with BBC Cymru Fyw, saying: “We did not expect to be forced to leave our homes again.”
Social context and local community needs
Penrhos is in the heart of the Welsh language area, where there has been a housing crisis for years. Rising property prices and the large number of houses being bought as seasonal residences mean that the local community is struggling to find affordable housing. The regional authorities emphasise that the project to radically redevelop the Polish Village is crucial to providing housing for those most in need. Although an important chapter in the history of Polish emigration is about to close, the new developments aim to continue the community spirit. As Craig Sparrow of ClwydAlyn pointed out, it is important for the authorities to preserve the strong community ties that have characterised this unique place for decades.
The Polish Village in Penrhos and its heritage
The history of the Polish Village in Penrhos is a testimony to the fate of the Poles who found refuge abroad after the war, building there a substitute for their lost homeland. The decision to demolish it and replace it with a modern housing estate is an inevitable change that fits into the wider socio-economic context of the region. Although the physical structure of the village will disappear, the memory of its inhabitants and their history will remain alive.
Source: tvpworld.com, clwydalyn.co.uk
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