A new exhibition exploring the history and legacy of Leek’s Polish community will open at The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery this November.

Blackshaw Moor: The Hope of New Beginnings runs from 20 November to 18 December and marks the 80th anniversary of the resettlement of Polish soldiers at Blackshaw Moor following the Second World War.

Curated by the Leek Polish Connection, the exhibition tells the story of the men and families who made new lives in the Staffordshire Moorlands after the war, when returning to a Soviet-controlled Poland was not a safe option for many former soldiers.

Through photographs, artefacts, personal stories, audio recordings and creative displays, visitors will be able to explore the journeys that brought Polish families to Britain and discover how they became part of life in Leek while maintaining their cultural traditions.

The exhibition is organised around four themes: journey and arrival, resilience, integration and community, and the traditions passed down through generations. Highlights include stories connected to Wojtek the bear, the famous wartime mascot adopted by Polish soldiers, alongside family memories, heritage objects and a large-scale model of the beloved bear.

A programme of themed Saturday events will accompany the exhibition, offering talks, crafts, family activities and opportunities to delve deeper into the stories behind the displays.

Barbara Sidley, from the Leek Polish Connection, said the exhibition is a story “of displacement, but also of belonging, of leaving one home and making another”.

“It speaks of resistance, adaptation and cultural exchange, as Polish soldiers met local women, married, started families, built businesses and became part of the community,” she said.

Katie Aldous, Director of OUTSIDE Arts, added: “This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to bring these deeply personal stories to life and to celebrate the lasting contribution of Leek’s Polish community.”

The exhibition takes place at The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Leek, from 20 November to 18 December. Admission is free, with tickets available to book now at outsidearts.org.