The residents of the Isle of Wight remember very well that the Polish destroyer ORP Błyskawica saved the cities of Cowes and East Cowes from the German attack of the Luftwaffe in May 1942. Since then, the island has been holding annual ceremonies to pay tribute to the heroic Poles who saved the island and preserve their extraordinary courage in the memory of future generations.

The Friends of the ORP Błyskawica Society and East Cowes Heritage Centre present the 84th Annual commemoration events:

Saturday 9 May – Cowes
At Holy Trinity Church at 6.15pm, there will be a concert by the trio Aria di Corda, “Singing Chopin Trio”, performing Chopin songs.
Tickets are £10 per person via Island Concerts Ltd: www.ticketsource.co.uk/islandconcerts or available on the door.

The concert will be followed by the events on the following day:

Sunday 10 May – Cowes
At Francki Place (next to the Painters Arms), at 12pm, there will be a short service with the laying of wreaths in remembrance of the defence of Cowes and East Cowes by the Polish-built destroyer ORP Błyskawica. The Medina Marching Band will play the respective national anthems.

At 2 pm at the Bandstand, Cowes Parade, there will be the main commemoration event, with the Medina Marching Band playing there from 1.30pm.

The event brings together representatives from Poland’s diplomatic corps and military personnel along with local civic dignitaries and society guests. The commemoration will include a short service, laying of wreaths, national anthems and speeches including a brief history of the event of the wartime blitz on the two towns.

British Poles is the media patron of the event.

WHERE: Holy Trinity Church, Isle of Wight

WHEN: Saturday, 9 May 2026, 6.30pm

TICKETS: here. Under 25 free.