An update on TOPAZ activities.
TOPAZ Prezes
Hi Everyone
Sometimes everyone gets a
couple of emails about TOPAZ activities and then it may be quiet for the next couple of weeks. It's been quietier recently, but TOPAZ has been active.
TOPAZ has had a number of activites in the recent weeks, and with support from everyone, the social programme can be developed even further.
This Friday from 8pm is the monthly social at the Queens Head, Brook Green (nearest tube – Hammersmith). It is an important venue because it gives a chance for everyone to meet up at least once a month, or as a taster session to see what its all about.
Last few monthly socials were well attended. With ten more people who used to take part in TOPAZ events in the past deciding to come, then things can really get interesting and old friendships can be renewed.
Over the last couple of months, we enjoyable events with good attendance. At the Boat Race we watched the Polish Team win and then went for a meal. Then some people won money at the Ascot Horse Races (and it is hoped that we will go there again next year). Cash for charity was raised in Race for Life as a couple ladies from TOPAZ took part. Then Penhros had a very good mixture of people. We visited many interesting places (please email me if you would like more info) and finally one of the Penhros partakers was able to represent TOPAZ in taking guests around Bletchley Park at the Polish Festival on the same weekend (with plenty of indoor things to see as it rained and poured outside). There were other advertised events on our web site.
Future events are being planned. Soon to come, details about the Chiltern walk amongst some other events. As soon as they are posted on the site, an email will be sent out.
Perhaps someone would like to know what is happening on the Committee – who is on it and in charge of what? Please do write to us if interested, as I know that this has not been mentioned much.
Apart from the planned First Friday social at the Queens Head, TOPAZ is planning a trip to the Arboretum near Alre. It need not be stressed too much that this is an important event, given that many of our parents/grand parents served or had dealings/associations with the Polish Army – and it was because of WW2 that many of us were born in this country. It is also important from the historical point of view and highlights the contribution of Poland to one of the main conflicts of the 20th Century.
I have put down below information about the Arboretum as I know it has possibly little meaning, as it did to me till I found out more. If you feel like reading (or have time to carry on reading now), then please do, or check out the links below and please let me know what you think because
a) Tickets are going fast (please email me by end of week for info how to get them and that way I will be able to gauge the response, otherwise there is a downloadable form on the SPK site (see relevant link below))
b) Accommodation is going to be short as there is another major event nearby, so I may need to look for it further afield or organise everything as a day trip.
c) "dziennik polski" +arboretum - Google Search
1) The National Memorial Arboretum is already the second
most important place of memorial - after the Cenotaph in London. It is situated
in the Midlands, to make it equally accessible to everyone in the UK, not
just those from the South. In 2008,
over 300,000 people visited the NMA (Dziennik Polski 22/03/2009 P1). The site
comprises 150 acres of woodland and memorials dedicated to the fallen
servicemen and women from WW1 and other conflicts of the 20 and 21st Centuries.
(DP 12/10/08 P11)
2) The beginnings of the NMA go back to 1997. Under the initiative of Commander
David Childs and supported by Group Captain Leonid Cheshire (husband of the
late Baroness Sue Ryder) (Dziennik Polski 20/04/2009 P7.) "who expressed
concern that the debt that was owed to those who had died in the wars of the
twentieth century might be forgotten". The Arboretum was officially opened
16th May 2001 by the Duchess of Kent. Since then, over 150 monuments dedicated
to various conflicts of the 20th Century have been erected there (Dziennik
Polski 22/03/2009 P1.)
3) It was brought to the attention of Tadeusz Juhre, who lives in the area,
that amongst all those monuments, there was not one single monument dedicated
to the Polish Armed Forces. Tadeusz drew this to the attention of the Polish
people. After a time, interest was shown by
Mark Stella-Sawicki and Tadeusz Melke, who drew to the attention of the
SPK. The SPK decided that this is a good idea and immediately decided to
support it and financed to start the project up. (Dziennik Polski 20/04/2009
P7.)
4. Consequently, a committee was formed, the monument was designed and money
started coming in from other Polish organisations. Given the short time, design
work was completed in time, the monument was made, put together and is now
being erected there – in a significant place where it will be noticeable. To
date, many articles have been written in the Polish Dziennik Polski. Now,
everything is in progress and the unveiling is to be on the 19th of
September.
So please let me know by end of week via return email about interest on coming, as places are limited and tickets may become unavailable.
With kind regards to everyone
Jerzy Chmielewski
Celebrate a decade of Messenger with free winks, emoticons, display pics, and more. Get Them Now