‘This display offers everyone the chance to explore the strong Polish-British connections in Yorkshire’
Champney Treasure House in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire(Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
The rich history and cultural contributions of the Polish community in East Yorkshire is set to be explored in a fascinating new exhibition. Goods traded by sea, 19th Century settlers and the Polish airmen’s tremendous contribution to the Battle of Britain are just some of stories spanning centuries which are featured in the show.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council ’s Champney Treasure House Museum in Beverley will host the exhibition called Cześć, to my! – which translates as Hi, it’s us!. It traces the connections between Poland and East Yorkshire from medieval trade links to the present day.
The museum display tells how Beverley and Poland traded goods by sea, while exploring the Polish settlers in the 19th Century who established businesses in Hull. The exhibition also highlights the pivotal role played by Polish airmen stationed at RAF Leconfield and Hutton Cranswick during World War Two.
Polish heritage remains an important part of local life today, with a Polish Consulate based in Beverley and two successful Polish Saturday language schools operating in Hull. The Cześć, to my! exhibition – which opens later this month – was researched and produced collaboratively by Irena Sendlers Polish School in Hull, members of the Polish community, local historians, and East Riding Museums.
Joanna Radecka from Irena Sendlers Polish School, said: “As a representative of the local Polish community, I am honoured and grateful to see our rich history and contributions celebrated. This display offers everyone the chance to explore the strong Polish-British connections in Yorkshire and to appreciate our flourishing community today.
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‘’Co-curating this exhibition with the amazing team at East Riding Museums has been a great pleasure and a deeply rewarding experience.’’
The project began life as an exhibition at Streetlife Museum in Hull in 2025. The new Beverley presentation expands on that project, by examining Polish links across the wider East Riding, while showcasing fascinating material preserved within the East Riding Archives.
The exhibition celebrates community, heritage and shared history, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the enduring connections between Poland and East Yorkshire. The exhibition opens on Saturday, June 13, and runs until Saturday, 3 October.
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, added: ‘’This wonderful exhibition traces the connections between Poland and East Yorkshire from the Medieval trading era through to the vibrant Polish community that continues to thrive in the region today.
‘’We look forward to working collaboratively with members of the Polish community to bring this exhibition to life.’’
For more information and the latest opening times, visit the East Riding Museums page here.
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