Penrhos Polish ��˿�� for WW2 veterans closes on Sunday

Image caption, The Penrhos Polish home in Gwynedd has served the community since the end of World War Two

6 December 2020

A 40-bed nursing home which has served the Polish community since the end of World War Two closes on Sunday.

The Penrhos Polish ��˿�� near Pwllheli in Gwynedd had been owned by the Polish Housing Association which said it could no longer afford to run the site.

It had planned to close the home next year but families decided to move loved ones elsewhere and staff also left.

The association said it was therefore unsustainable to continue to run the home.

However, sheltered accommodation will continue to be provided on the 20-acre site with ownership transferred to a housing association.

Image source, Eric Jones/Geograph

Image caption, The Friendship Hall at Penrhos was once home to exiled Polish airmen, soldiers and sailors

'Regenerate the site'

A spokesperson said that it was working with Gwynedd council to support anyone affected.

"We are committed to the long-term future of Penrhos and we are working with our partners to develop plans to regenerate the site," they said.

"The development of a new care home will form a key part of these plans, subject to securing funding."

The home celebrated its 70th birthday in 2019, after being set-up in 1949 for exiled Polish airmen, soldiers and sailors, who established a Polish-speaking community on the former RAF base.