Poles were an asset (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Poles were an asset

8:55am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Readers' letters By Telegraph & Argus

SIR – Re Emma Clayton’s feature (T&A, February 15) on the Polish community. It brought back memories of the Fifties and Sixties when my three boys were joined by Polish boys at St Patrick’s RC School and then St Bede’s Grammar.

I was well-acquainted with the parents of these children. They never, ever spoke of their ordeals but brought a lot of culture to these schools.

They also set up their own school every Saturday morning to learn English and not to lose their own culture, and always were in top places in their classes, and poor as they were, they always contributed to what was being celebrated in the school. They attended our May Day procession in national dress, so colourful.

On a last note, I think they were the first to wear long trousers in junior schools, which our boys copied. No more cold knees. They were such an asset to Bradford.

Susan Bannon, Glynn Terrace, Bradford