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Penley Poles |
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The hospital
© A Bezera
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From the outside, the barracks at the hospital looked basic, but on the inside they were decorated with traditional folk art and images of Polish cultural and historical figures. Patients painted pictures and created symbols of Polish heritage. Younger patients at Penley took part in many sporting activities. Teams were often sent to the nationwide competitions at Stoke Mandeville.
The hospital was supported by a local League of Friends charity, which raised funds for the hospital and planned events and activities for the patients and residents. When Andy Bereza was 13, the League of Friends gave him two reels of 8mm film to make a movie about life at the camp. He made many short 8mm films, which he still has today- click here to take a look at one filmed at a summer festival in the grounds of the hospital, in the early 1960s.
A still from a film of a summer festival at Penley showing a group in Polish folk costumes.
© A Bezera |
At its peak, the hospital was home to more than 2000 patients and staff. The numbers began to decline due to the inevitable increasing age of the war veterans. At its closure, in 2002, the hospital housed only six patients who lived in one ward out of the original 30. But, as Andy Scotson from North East Wales NHS Trust said, "The hospital remains functioning, and will continue to do so under the terms of an accord signed by Sir Winston Churchill at the conclusion of World War 2 This promised to maintain services for ex-Polish military personnel for as long as they were required.
Currently, a new facility is being built which will house the remaining patients and staff, who have been moved to a nearby facility until the new building is complete.
The closure of the hospital in March, 2002, marked the end of an era for the Polish community at Penley. In September, 2002, Andy's films were shown alongside artwork and memorabilia from Penley, in an exhibition at Wrexham Museum, which celebrated the history of the community at the hospital.
Andy Bereza has visited Poland many times over the years, and found that people of his generation in Poland had experienced a very different upbringing. He believes that the people and their culture suffered under the pressure of Soviet rule.
Andy found that his upbringing was rich in comparison, as Polish traditions, customs and society were encouraged in Penley, albeit those of pre-war Poland. He has fond memories of his childhood home and feels that "in a way, I don't have any roots, now they've knocked down Penley, my country has gone."
Thanks to Andy Bereza, Jonathan Gammond - Wrexham County Borough Museum, and the Penley Polish Community in Wrexham.
Your comments
1 Julius A Ziemba from Canton, CT USA - 8 February 2004
"My parents Lt. Francizek Ziemba (payroll)and Jadwiga (Siewierska)Ziemba (nursing)worked at the Hospital until March 1955 when they left for the USA. I was born April 27,1954 and lived at the hospital for almost a year. I still have our original ration books which show an allowance for me. My godfather was Dr Thadeusz Wieclawek a friend of my father and doctor at the hospital. I of course have no memories but do have some amusing pictures of my father and Dr. Thadeusz Wieclawek in their bachelor quarters. At this point I am very busy (4 children) and work but will try to send some pictures of the hospital in the future."
2 George Trzebinski from Nottingham - 4 February 2004
"nothing much other than to say i was born here on 9/6/47 my father(marian) having served in the raf(squadron leader)subsequently i was removed to nottingham within 2 weeks so have not much memory of penley hospital itself!"
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