Polish Day in Southport: What's on as celebration held for Poland's World War Two heroes

As a final farewell to its incredibly moving exhibition Courage & Devotion, The Atkinson in Southport welcomes all to join them on a very Polish Day this Saturday (12th March 2022); a celebration of the lives of Polish Airmen based at RAF Woodvale during World War II.

This free event will be taking place across The Atkinson as it bids “do widzenia” to its exhibition highlighting incredible stories of the airmen from that era which includes a replica scale model of a Spitfire Vb AB273 which was based at RAF Woodvale during World War Two.

Join The Atkinson for a full day of free family friendly activities and delicious Polish food.

11am

The Story of Western Approaches HQ, Liverpool’s Best Kept Secret
Free. Booking is not required. (The Atkinson, Studio)
An in-depth illustrated talk will be delivered by Dave Roberts of Liverpool’s Wartime Museum; Western Approaches.

On 7 February 1941, Combined Operations moved to Derby House at Exchange Flags because German aircraft and U-boats were attacking ships travelling in from the continent. The department became known as ‘Western Approaches Command’ as it monitored Western Approaches, the rectangular area of the Atlantic Ocean lying immediately to the west of the British Isles. Liverpool subsequently became an important strategic position in the Second World War.

11am – 3pm

The Military Vehicle Trust is bringing a selection of vintage vehicles onto the front of The Atkinson. They are also staging a WW2 British Medical Aid Post in the foyer, illustrating how casualties were evacuated from the frontline and treatments offered at the Aid Post, with period equipment for visitors to have hands on experience with!

The Polish Heritage Flight team will be in the galleries to share inspiring storiesof the people that came to the ‘Island of last hope’ to take up the fight in The Battle of Britain and throughout the Second World War.

Dave Harvey is bringing his 303 Sqn leather flying jacket that was recently featured in the 2018 film ‘Squadron 303’ (Dywizjon 303), visitors will be able to try on the jacket and take selfies in the exhibition.

Fun Polish craft sessions will be delivered by Merseyside Polonia with assistance by The Liverpool Polish School’s students. They are also bringing some traditional Polish costumes for visitors to dress up and take pictures in.

Inspired by Suhail’s incredible paper sculpture of Spitfire Vb AB273, our volunteers will show you how to make paper aeroplanes and may even challenge you to a race or two!

Eric Watkiss will be in the galleries to talk to visitors about the wreck of the Spitfire and the work of Lancashire Aircraft Investigation Team.

The organisation aims to research and record the aviation heritage of our region and, when appropriate, recover and preserve associated artefacts. The team from the Spitfire visitor centre, Hangar 42 in Blackpool, will discuss their important work as a heritage centre.

The Atkinson’s award-winning café, A Great Little Place, will be making and selling Polish delicacies. Whether you’re trying these for the first time or you’re a Polish food fanatic – these dishes will have you licking your lips and asking for more. Polish cuisine (Polish: kuchnia polska) has evolved over the centuries to become very eclectic due to Poland’s history and it shares many similarities with German, Ashkenazi Jewish and other culinary traditions.

7pm

In 1943, during World War Two, The Atkinson hosted a pianoforte recital by Jerzy Sulikowski, a Polish pianist, featuring arrangements from Polish composers Paderewski, Zarembski, Szymanowski, Statkowski and Chopin

Chopin Recital by Andrew Wilde
£15. Plus booking fee £1 per ticket online/phone. (The Atkinson, Studio)

In 1943 The Atkinson hosted a pianoforte recital by Jerzy Sulikowski, a Polish pianist, featuring arrangements from Polish composers Paderewski, Zarembski, Szymanowski, Statkowski and Chopin. The recital was a benefit concert to help raise awareness of the Polish war effort. In March 2022 The Atkinson presents a Chopin recital from classical pianist Andrew Wilde.