Election call for Polish citizens in Calton
Centre set up by Thenue and East End community named as polling station.
A community centre set up by Thenue Housing, and local people, seven years, ago is going global.
The Calton Heritage and Learning Centre in Glasgow’s East End is to be a polling station for Poland’s General Election on 13 October.
The announcement was made by Poland’s Consulate General in Edinburgh.
Polish people living in Scotland will be entitled to cast their ballot to elect their new government without the need to return home.
Two Glasgow polling stations have been selected, with the other in Kelvingrove. The other 10 are in locations around Scotland.
The Calton Heritage and Learning Centre – located adjacent to Thenue’s London Road offices – is no stranger to elections. It is a regular polling place for United Kingdom polls.
And, at the Thenue AGM of 2018, held in the Centre, Thenue members were sent to the polls to elect a new Board after applications to serve on it exceeded the number of places available.
Glasgow and Scotland have a strong historical bond with Poland, stretching back to the second world war. It is believed that more Polish nationals now live in Scotland than any other group from outside the UK.
Rosie Robertson, Centre Manager of the Calton Heritage and Learning Centre, said: “This is a first for our centre, and we are delighted to be helping Polish citizens, living in Scotland, to exercise their democratic rights.
“We are also very grateful to the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh for choosing us to fulfil this important role.”
Charles Turner, Chief Executive of Thenue Housing, said: “The Calton Heritage and Learning Centre was set up to bring people together, and it celebrates its seventh birthday on 1 November.
“Glasgow is home to many Polish Scots, and it’s great that a centre, set up to benefit the local Calton community, has, for the first time, carved out a truly international role.”
Pictured: The polling station for Polish citizens.