Recent Developments in Active Polish Community
The latest edition of Football Tournament Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 for Play Station 3 - January 24th, 2010.
Why is football so fascinating? Why is Pro Evolution Soccer such an emotional game? Maybe it's because in football favourites do not always win, and thanks to the realism of Pro Evolution Soccer players may feel same as athletes running into the stadium to the roar of one thousand fanatical supporters.
All those present at the last PES tournament, organized by the Active Polish Community in cooperation with Magazyn Lokalny, portal wLuton.net and Restauracja Polska Chata experienced it all. The dramatic ending which changed the outcome of the entire meeting, the sounds of the audience after failed actions, the applause and cheering after excellent goals.
The tournament was attended by more players than last time, with the audience even stronger in numbers. Overall, during the tournament we hosted over 100 people. From conversations with the participants there was no doubt about one thing - we need more such events.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Luton played on 9th and 10th of January, 2010
Active Polish Community in conjunction with Tygodnik Wizjer organized the XVIII Final Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Luton.
Thanks to your generosity, we were able to collect £1708.44, 113.23 zł, 1.74 €, 1 dime 1 American cent. In this, volunteers got £1241, 64, Auctions: £286, 80, transfers by Sami Swoi website: £180.
Tins in the shops: Wyjątkowo Polski Sklep: £110.03, JESS: £109.95, Jakub £56.45.
To all those who collected money, organized events, tossed, sent or supported the GOCC in other ways, we would like to thank you for your efforts. As of February 24, 2010 the amount of deposit was 36 118 272 zł, and on GOCC's account we got 31 030 435 zł (about £6 935 000). This is a very good result and it is immensely good to be part of it, however small it may be.
This was the second time we collected money for children's oncological treatment. Donations collected during the January event, are not only going to be spend on the main purpose of the Final, but will also enable the Foundation to fully finance three nationwide medical-education programs:
* we examine the hearing of all newborn children,
* we treat apnoea,
* more than one million primary school pupils had been taught first aid.
Programme of the eighteenth Final of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in Luton:
January 9 (Saturday)
Restaurant Polska Chata
Address: 14 Wellington Street, Town Centre, Lutn, LU1 2QH
3.00pm - 7.00pm Dress party for children
9.00pm … the Polish Karaoke / Concert of the ODC
January 10 (Sunday - F I N A L)
On Sunday, January 10 in Luton money was collected by 30 volunteers.
Each of them had a sealed tin and an identification card.
GOCC headquarters in Luton were situated in the office of "Sami Swoi"
23 George Street, Luton, LU1 2AF, which was open from 10.00am to 10.00pm on that day.
Restaurant Polska Chata
4.00pm - 6.30pm games and fun for kids
The Heights Pub
Final Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity started at 4.00pm
Address: 1 George St. Luton, LU1 2AA
During the Final the following artists starred: Aneta Barcik, Basia Bielecka, Emigration Blues, La Roma, ODC, Daniel Lakeys
Chairman: Slawek ORWAT with Radio Diverse FM
7.00pm light to heaven, auctions of gadgets sent by Jurek Owsiak
Organizers: Active Polish Community, Tygodnik Wizjer,Action was supported by: Sami Swoi, AartPrint, Restauracja Polska Chata
Luton Food Festival 2009 - "Taste of Luton"
Thousands of people took the opportunity to try international culinary delicacies at the "Taste of Luton" - the festival, the main objective of which was to promote the multicultural community of Luton. Underneath a big tent in the middle of the town, about 7000 people could try dishes from countries such as India, Pakistan, Thailand, the Caribbean and Poland.
More than 30 representatives of local catering venues attended the event, during which they presented their culinary abilities and also engaged in the sale of their dishes and exotic spices. The festival began with a speech given by the Mayor Cllr Mohammed Riaz followed by one of the finest master chefs - Oli Khan. During the event culinary demonstrations took place, during which where the lucky ones had a chance to discover the secrets of delicious specialties. Besides filling up the stomach, there was also something for the soul as musical groups and dancers began to overrun the scene.
Our traditional delicacies were represented by the restaurant „Polska Chata”, along with the participation of Active Polish Community and the „Sami Swoi” Shop. Thanks to them, our community in Luton and the surrounding area could experience the taste of Polish cold meat, bread and dishes. Both stands were shown strong interest from visitors.
Luton Food Festival is one of many events organized in the Cultural Olympiad, which are meant to promote different cultures in Britain before the Olympic Games in 2012.
Text: Kamila Początek. Photos: www.luton.gov.uk/foodfestival
Luton Summer Festival 2009
Active Polish Community took an active part in organization of the Luton Summer Festival 2009. Thanks to our invitations, in front of a numerous audience appeared:
- Why Not Here - Polish rock band from London
- Lesero prod - producer Marcin Chojnacki with rapper The Only D.2.1
Polish musicians proved what they are capable of, and it was reflected in applause after the Polish part of the festival. The organizers and participants of the event also expressed their voices of recognition. As a result of such a good acceptance during the Luton Summer Festival, Lesero production and rapper The Only D.2.1 were invited to attend the next event - Love Luton Hate Racism.
We are pleased that the Polish community appears to have a positive opinion among residents of Luton. It would have not been possible without the participation of the Polish media - particularly wLuton.net, the Local Magazine and Radio Local Flash, which informed about the Polish day on the Luton Summer Festival on its pages, for which we want to thank them sincerely.
We hope that this is only the beginning of the promotion of Polish artists in the UK by the Active Polish Community. The active polish community has been rooting for an idea of a project to create a Polish musical group in Luton which has been constantly gaining on strength. Keep checking our website to be up-to-date as our new projects to support the Polish artists in the UK are going to be launched soon.
View all photos in a slideshow.
Around the World with Someries
On July 11, 2009, Active Polish Community participated in the Around the World with Someries Junior School (Wigmore Lane in Luton). Throughout the afternoon, organizers prepared a number of attractions:
- Food and drink from around the world,
- Dance workshops,
- Fun and games,
- Face painting,
- Nail decorating and others...
Active Polish Community was in charge of promoting and presenting Polish culture, tourist attractions, and prepared Polish food tasting. Such attractions could have been found at the Polish booth of the Active Polish Community.
Polish Boxing Club Strike06 tour to Preston
On June 19, 2009, in Preston took place a boxing match. Polish representation consisting players from Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship faced representation of Manchester. The game ended up with success of Poles, defeating Britons 10:8. The meeting was held in a beautiful arena filled up with fans, not only English but also Polish living in the surrounding area. It needs to be mentioned, that the match ran in very fair play atmosphere where choral singing of British fans, and shouts of joy of Poles created a wondrous performance.
A group of players and the following coaches- Paweł Adamczak and Paweł Zych, President - Mariusz Koniakowski and Hubert Ławski, went to Preston to have a closer look at the organisation. By the chance, we spoke to the Polish coaches, players and British activists. Maybe in the near future, a boxing match between Luton and Manchester will take place again.
Our Luton's team was well looked after by Marian Straszewski, the Polish boxing referee, who lives in Menchester and was one of the main organizers of the show. What is more, STRIKE O6 received two invitations to participate in boxing tournaments in Poland from activists and trainers of the Polish national team. As you can see on the pictures, boxers with STRIKE 06 T-shirts were in the centre of interest of English and Polish fans and represented...
Meeting with Islington's first Polish Mayor - Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk
On April 19, 2009, Active Polish Community participated in the meeting with the only one Polish mayor in the UK, Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk. It was also a good opportunity to meet local councillors from Luton Borough Council: Cllr Michael Dolling, Cllr Andy Strange, Cllr Clive Mead, Cllr Doris Hinkley, Cllr Anne Petersen, Cllr Barry Neale, and candidates for the European Parliament: Jack and Linda Cllr Qurban Hussain, the candidates from our constituency. London also had a strong representation consisting of Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk, Cllr John Oakes of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Poland and Maciej Psyk of Poland Street.
Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk was Mayor of the Islington London Borough Council for the civic year 2008-2009. In the UK, this honorary post is conferred for a period of two years. In addition, Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk also acts as an alderman of the Islington Council. In his speech, Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk urged the Poles to actively embrace their rights in the UK. One of them is to participate in elections and registration in the electoral system, both to the local authorities and to the European Parliament. We need to be active voters if we want the local authorities to hear the Polish voice. Strength of Poles would be greater if we had strong representation on the tickets and aldermans with Polish origins.
Another issue raised by Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk was the use of social benefits available for the Poles paying their taxes in Great Britain. From the moment of accession to the European Union we were given these rights and it is not a special gift or privilege, but one of the fundamental principles creating the community of European states. The mayor strongly urged the Poles to participate in public life and to get involved in local communities issues.
Maciej Psyk representing a campaign called "Poles vote" encouraged us to register in the British electoral system. It is very important that the largest possible number of Poles in Great Britain take part in the vote to the European Parliament, which will be held on 4 June 2009. The registration itself is simple, but not much time was left, as the deadline for submission of forms ends on May, 19 2009. For more information about registering and voting you can find here www.polacyglosuja.org.uk
The meeting alerted us how important is participation in elections, as the further fate of Poles in Great Britain depends on the results of the election. We need make local authorities aware about our problems, make sure that the voice of Poles in Luton is heard and taken into consideration while making an imporatant decisions about issues that matter us. Communities that do not participate in elections are invisible to the councilors.
Painting Easter eggs
On the last Sunday before Christmas, our children received a special task - painting Easter eggs. According to the old Polish tradition, they can choose from boiled, dyed, painted and paper-cut eggs. Children's imagination surpassed our wildest expectations, as their ideas for adorning the eggs were sometimes completely unexpected:)
Classes were held as part of our regular meetings, during which the Active Polish Community seeks to create conditions for children to play and integrate. We are pleased that parents support seems to be endless on such ocasions. We know we can always rely on you. In the near future, the formula for our meetings will be changed, in order to match the needs of children and parents. We are open to your suggestions regarding our youngest group. As spring is just around the corner, we would like to spend more time outdoors to take advantage of good weather, have fun and learn about new and interesting places around Luton.
Visiting the Mayor of Luton
On the 23ed of March 2009 representatives of the Active Polish Community visited the Mayor of Luton, Cllr Lakhbir Singh. In short, we introducted our organisation and explained its activities, and also described the problems of the large Polish community in Luton and the challenges faced by our association.
The mayor suggested a few interesting solutions and promised to assist us within his capabilities. Active Polish Community strives for an office, which would be used as a place of regular meetings for members, and for funds to implement projects that are in the range of our interest.
Active Polish Community put its best leg forward, as an association run by ambition people, full of useful ideas worthy of the attention of those who are in charge of the city. We look forward to continuing the cooperation with Mayor Lakhbir Singh, both during his ending term in office and after returning to his duties as an alderman of the Luton Council.