On 18 June, the Polish Catholic Mission gave Marian and Jack Knapczyk notice to quit on the lease they have held for 15 years. We need to fight to get this decision overturned.

Marian and Jack have run the bar and restaurant at the Polish Catholic club in Nottingham since 2003. Over the years, they have contributed close to £500,000 in rent which has helped fund and maintain the building. They are the glue that holds together generations of Poles in Nottingham, offering invaluable service and support at all of life’s milestone commemorations – from christenings to funerals and everything in between.

The Polish Catholic Club on Sherwood Rise was founded by the wave of Polish immigrants who arrived after 1945. Displaced by war, they experienced feelings connected with exile and, with a desire to 'belong' somewhere safe, our fathers and grandfathers set about creating a community. For decades, the club has been home to a vibrant culture of tradition and social activity.

As life becomes ever busier and fractured, there is greater need to preserve our history and ensure that it is passed on to future generations. Marian and Jack are an integral part of this process.

The Poles in Nottingham have already lost irreplaceable books and documents when the established community library was dismantled to make way for commercial accommodation. We can’t allow our history to be further endangered.

Word of mouth and social media are critical to the success of this campaign so PLEASE sign the petition, support us and spread the word.