Polish residents mark 10th anniversary

Ilford Park Polish Home is 10 years old

Residents of a Polish old people's home in south Devon are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their move there.

The property is situated at Ilford Park, near Newton Abbot.

It accommodates many members of the Polish forces who served under British command in World War II.

The anniversary will be marked by a special mass, a tree planting ceremony and entertainment from a Polish choral group.

There are about 100 residents at Ilford Park

After the war, many members of the Polish forces came to live at Ilford Park in wartime huts.

They established a strong community and the area became known locally as 'Little Poland'.

But as the population grew older, their accommodation became unsuitable.

A new residential and nursing home was built in 1992, and about 100 people now live there.

A number of VIP guests will attend the ceremony, including the Polish Consul General Tomas Trafas.