Bletchley Park’s Annual Polish Day

BLETCHLEY PARK’S ANNUAL POLISH DAY CELEBRATES BRAVERY OF POLISH AIR FORCE

Bletchley Park’s tenth annual Polish Day on Sunday 18 July will celebrate the important contribution made by the Polish Air Force. Bletchley Park always pay tribute to the three mathematicians who are commemorated on its Polish Memorial – Marian Rejewski, Henryk Zygalski and Jerzy Rozycki for their work on the breaking of the Enigma, however the Poles contributed in other ways as well, including in the Air Force.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and it is a little known fact that Polish pilots also took part in this historic battle helping to save Britain from invasion.

Special Lectures for the day will include:

•    „Poles in the Battle of Britain” by Peter Devitt, Assistant Curator, Royal Air Force Museum London.
•    „The Zygalski Sheets”, An account of one of the pre-war Polish methods used to break Enigma, invented by the mathematician Henryk Zygalski, together with an appraisal of its historical significance, by Frank Carter.
•    „The Story of Poland” by Dr Hubert Zawadzki, co-author of „A Concise History of Poland” (in both English and Polish)

Concert pianist, Barbara Woods will perform work by Chopin one of Poland’s most famous composers and also talk a little about his life and work. There will also be displays in the Mansion telling the story of the Polish Air Force and its pilots and how they became known for their bravery, for instance during the Battle of Britain the Polish 303 Fighter Squadron claimed the highest number of kills of any Allied squadron.

Guided tours of Bletchley Park will be available in both Polish and English languages.  Other Polish-themed activities throughout the day will be the showing of Polish films in the 1940’s Enigma cinema and traditional folk dancers.  A full Polish menu will also be available in the restaurant.

For visitor information, contact 01908 640404, info@bletchleypark.org.uk, or go to www.bletchleypark.org.uk

Editor’s Information

•    Cost of the Annual Season Ticket is: adults £10, concessions £8 (OAPs and student with valid ID card), children £6 (aged 12 to 16 – children under 12 admitted free of charge) and a family ticket £22.50 (two adults and two children aged 12 to 16).  Tickets include a guided tour (subject to availability) and/or the use of an audio guide.  On-site parking is £3 per car.
•    Bletchley Park is open  every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day:
            o    1 November to 31 March: weekdays, weekends and Bank Holidays 10.30am – 4.00pm.
            o    1 April to 31 October: weekdays 9.30am – 5.00pm, weekends and Bank Holidays 10.30am – 5.00pm.
•    Photographs are available as jpegs on request.

Sent by The Bletchley Park Trust