Federation of Poles in Great Britain
The Federation of Poles in Great Britain is a voluntary umbrella organisation established to promote the interests of Poles in the United Kingdom and to promote the history and culture of Poland among British people. As a charity the Federation's statutes contain detailed information about its objectives and responsibilities.
History
The Federation of Poles in Great Britain was formed in 1946, when the British Government formally withdrew recognition of the Polish Government in Exile, rendering many Poles in Britain effectively stateless. They were however granted special leave to remain under the provisions of the Polish Resettlement Act 1947. From that time until 1990, the Federation represented the interests of Polish settlers in relation to the United Kingdom authorities.Following the emergence in 1990 of Poland as a state no longer within the Soviet bloc, its Presidential Insignia, kept until then in London, were ceremonially transferred by President Ryszard Kaczorowski to President Lech Wałęsa in Warsaw. At that juncture certain responsibilities remained vested in The Federation. The Federation became recognised by both Polish and British governments, along with other Polish organisations worldwide, as the organisation representing the Polish minority in Great Britain.