Ognisko Polskie, The Polish Hearth Club, is a Members’ Club and an important part of Polish Social and Cultural life in London. Polish traditions remain at the heart of the Club, as they have been since it was opened in 1939, at the start of World War 2. Founded with the combined initiative of the British and Polish Governments, it was inaugurated by HRH The Duke of Kent in 1940 and to this day his family continue to support the Club. It became the hub of Polish social and cultural life, with a good restaurant, meeting rooms, a theatre and a ballroom. It was supported by Officers, along with their families and friends together with a prospering theatrical and literary community. Leading figures in Polish cultural society, along with senior Military figures were frequently to be seen in the Club. After the War it continued to meet the needs of the Polish community, their friends and supporters, as it still does today. The house itself was completed around 1870, a private home to a Victorian family and is now a Grade Two listed building. After extensive refurbishment this year, the delightful architectural features of the interior are now clearly displayed and restored to their former grandeur. Historic portraits of prominent Polish figures continue to have pride of place in the Club and the Restaurant provides a varied bill of fare, with Polish cuisine forming the basis of the menu.
The idea of setting up a Polish centre in London was first discussed at the Polish Embassy, following the Nazi and Soviet invasion of Poland in September 1939. The British Government and the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries (later renamed the British Council) lent their full support to the idea. The British government was quite aware of the perceived lack of knowledge of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Lord Lloyd, the Colonial Secretary, who was also Chairman of the fledgling British Council, was most enthusiastic and helpful. It was at a meeting held between him and Count Edward Raczyński, the Polish Ambassador, that the decision to implement the idea was taken in November 1939, pro memoria, after which Polish and British Government representatives were tasked to implement the initiative.
Company registration number: 00507362
During this time we are asking Ognisko Polskie members and friends for copies of photographs, letters, video clips, memorabilia (which would be photographed and returned) or any written documents.
Shortly after the attack on the Soviet Union by Germany on 22 June 1941, Anders was released by the Soviets with the aim of forming a Polish Army to fight alongside the Red Army. The Polish Government reached an agreement with the Soviet Union (the Sikorski-Maisky Pact of 17 August 1941), confirmed by Joseph Stalin in December of that year. Stalin agreed to invalidate the September 1939 Soviet-German partition of Poland, declare the Russo-German Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August 1939 null and void, and release tens of thousands of Polish prisoners-of-war held in Soviet camps.
After taking part in the fighting against the German invasion of Poland at the beginning of World War II in 1939, Komorowski, with the code-name Bór, helped organize the Polish underground in the Kraków area. In July 1941 he became deputy commander of the Home Army (Armia Krajowa or "AK"), and in March 1943 gained appointment as its commander, with the rank of Brigadier-General.
Founded in 1939 to maintain the cohesion of the free Polish community in the United Kingdom during the Second World War, it went on to become the centre of social and cultural life for the Polish community in exile. It has since served to provide a home for Poles to meet and build friendships, as a place where Polish culture and history is kept alive and where Polish identity and independence are maintained.
