Glasses were raised and the toast was: "To the everlasting friendship between Poland and the famous city of Southampton and its inhabitants.'' It is now 60 years since the first Polish people arrived in Hampshire to settle and make a new life for themselves.

Then, a few years later, an official delegation made a three-day visit to Southampton to cement the connection that has lasted for decades.

In recent years, the Polish community in Southampton has grown considerably and there are even specialist shops, job agencies, hairdressers and a pub serving Polish families.

Anniversary Yesterday, the 60th anniversary was celebrated in a special concert, part of which was devoted to older members of the Polish community recalling their early experiences in the city.

The Daily Echo archives reflect the strong union that has formed between the people of Southampton and Poland.

In November 1958, Southampton councillors gathered in the Civic Centre for a formal reception and lunch to welcome the Polish visitors.

During the speeches, Mr J F Hudek, of Southampton Borough Architects' Department, was able to translate into English a speech by Konstanty Rek, chairman of the Gdynia Municipal Council in Poland.

Grateful "Oni maja tak jak my powazny problem parkowania samochodow. (They have an extensive car parking problem just as we have.) "Oni mowia ze ich drogi sa gorsze od naszych. (They say their roads are worse than ours.) "My naprawde jestemy im wdzieczni gdyz odpowiedzieli na wszystkie nasze pytania." (We are indeed grateful to them because they have answered every question we have asked them.) The Second World War had ended just a year or so earlier, at which time a notice board was erected in front of an Army camp in Chandler's Ford. Painted in green and yellow, the sign read: "Polish Dependants Hostel Hiltingbury.'' For the next 11 years, Hiltingbury was the welcoming point for Polish people from all walks of life, including many who had been members of the Allied armed services.

Among the many professions and trades the Polish brought with them were doctors, lawyers and engineers. All were looking for work and another chance of a good life for their families.