Blackshaw Moor: The Hope of New Beginnings – 20th November – 18th December 2026
A Leek Polish Connection Exhibition
Discover the story of Leek’s Polish community in this new exhibition marking 80 years since Polish soldiers were resettled at Blackshaw Moor.
Following the Second World War, Polish soldiers and their families came to Britain and began building new lives at Blackshaw Moor. Blackshaw Moor: The Hope of New Beginnings explores their extraordinary journeys, the challenges of starting again and the community they created in Leek.
Curated by the Leek Polish Connection as part of a programme facilitated by OUTSIDE, the exhibition brings together heritage photographs and objects, audio recordings, personal stories and creative displays.
The exhibition explores four key themes: journey and arrival and putting down roots; Wojtek the bear and resilience; integration and the Klucznik family; and Christmas, childhood and continuing traditions.
There will also be a programme of activities every Saturday, with talks, family activities, crafts and creative activities inspired by each of the four themes.
Dates: Friday 20 November – Friday 18 December 2026
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Leek
Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm
Admission: Free
You can arrive at any time during opening hours, so there is no need to book a specific arrival time.
Please note: The exhibition is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
SEE BELOW FOR INFO ON SATURDAY ACTIVITIES
Access and parking
The museum and art gallery are located on the first floor of the Nicholson Institute. There is step-free access via a lift, and the gallery can also be reached by stairs. An accessible entrance to the building is located to the left hand side of the front staircase.
There is no accessible toilet in the Museum & Art Gallery. The nearest accessible toilet is on Silk Street Car Park.
There is no car park on-site, but there are several public car parks within a short distance, including Vicarage Road and Silk Street. Parking spaces cannot be booked in advance.
At particularly busy times, you may be asked to wait for a short time before entering the gallery. Thank you for your patience while we make sure everyone can enjoy the exhibition safely and comfortably.
Suitable for: All ages
Marketing information
The information provided when booking may be shared with the Friends of the Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for future marketing and promotion of the exhibition and related activity.
For more information or to express an interest in the project and group:
Join The Leek Polish Connection Facebook group or email hello@outsidearts.org
Saturday Activities
Join us on Saturdays throughout the exhibition for talks, local stories, family activities and creative workshops inspired by Leek’s Polish community.
Saturday 21 November | The Journey to Blackshaw Moor
10:30am–11:30am | Talks: Paths of Survival
Join Barbara Grzegorzek Sidley and Zbyszek Hryciuk to explore the journeys, experiences and survival of Polish soldiers following the Second World War, followed by a Q&A.
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW
Admission: Free. Booking required.
Your ticket includes both talks, the Q&A and admission to the main exhibition.
1:30pm–2:30pm | Leek Polish Connection: Stories, Memories and New Beginnings
Join members of the Polish community for a relaxed panel discussion and Q&A exploring the personal stories, experiences and memories behind Blackshaw Moor: The Hope of New Beginnings. Hear different perspectives on the Polish community’s history and connections to the Staffordshire Moorlands, and join the conversation.
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW
Admission: Free. Booking required.
Your ticket includes the panel discussion, Q&A and admission to the main exhibition.
Saturday 28 November | Wojtek the Bear
11am–3pm | Drop-in family activities and storybook readings
Discover the story of Wojtek the bear through a museum trail and family activities. Children can also enjoy special storybook readings taking place at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW
Admission: Free. No advance booking required for the activities, but an exhibition admission ticket is required.
Saturday 5 December | Making a Life, Earning a Living
11am–11:50am | Introduction and Q&A with Dr Pauline Elkes
Join Dr Pauline Elkes, Sheena Barnes, Zbyszek Hryciuk and David Klucznik for an introduction and Q&A exploring the Polish community’s contribution to the local economy, the stories of families who built new lives in the Moorlands after the Second World War, and the importance of preserving this local heritage.
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW
Admission: Free. Booking required.
Your ticket includes the talk, Q&A and admission to the main exhibition.
11am–3pm | Oral history and local stories
Meet Sheena Barnes and Pauline Elkes at the Oral History Desk and share memories of the Polish community and its contribution to Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW
Admission: Free. No advance booking required for the activities, but an exhibition admission ticket is required.
Saturday 12 December | A Polish Christmas
11am–3pm | Drop-in family activities
Enjoy seasonal Polish Christmas crafts for all ages.
Location: The Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW
Admission: Free. No advance booking required for the activities, but an exhibition admission ticket is required.
Thanks to the Nicholson Institute Museum & Art Gallery, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, IAE and the New Vic Theatre for supporting this project.