Yes, I have run my race and I’ve won. I have reached 80! I have reached the age of maturity, even though I still remain largely immature.
I am a child of the post-war Polish emigres in the UK who settled here after the most heroic, dramatic and tragic experiences in the Second World War. My parents, my Saturday schools and my years as a scout have imbued me with a deep love and sense of duty to Poland as my true country of origin, even though I have spent my life in the comforting surroundings of Britain to whom I am grateful.
I want to salute and thank my wife Albina for moving here from Poland and for surviving 53 years of marriage and giving my life full support, as I pursued my interests, and for bringing up our son Sandro, now living in Finland but visiting us today, of whom we remain immensely proud.
I would like to salute my friends, so many of whom have now departed permanently, who have accompanied me on this journey through the Polish Solidarity Campaign, through my years as a social campaigner and as an Ipswich, and later, Ealing Councillor, my years in Kimpton Brothers and the London Chamber of Commerce, my activities as spokesman for the Polish community in the Federation of Poles in Gt Britain, and the POSK community centre where I am still a Director.
But most important of all is still the future with more exciting journeys with my wife, more books to write, and the fervent hope of future generations surviving in an exciting and menacing future. 6th September 2026
