Debate to ensure Borders map is not consigned to history
Published 3 Jul 2012 09:30
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THE historic significance of a model of Scotland, complete with mountains, landscape, flowing rivers, estuaries, coasts and seas is to be debated at Holyrood.
Local MSP Christine Grahame has secured cross party backing for her Parliamentary motion calling on the Parliament to recognise that the Great Polish Map of Scotland in the village of Eddleston commemorates the vital role of Polish forces in the defence of Scotland in the Second World War.
She has been working closely with Mapa Scotland, a voluntary group established to protect and restore this unique three dimensional representation.
Ms Grahame said: "I am delighted to have secured a debate on this very worthy project. The map was gifted as a token of thanks to the people of Scotland for the hospitality and friendship given to the Polish people not only during the war years but also in the decades that followed.
"I believe the map is a remarkable example of topographic landscape modelling of a complete country and needs to be protected."
The map was designed and built as a labour of love by a group of young Polish geographers from the Jagellionian University of Krakow in 1975 at the request of General Maczek, former Polish wartime Commander of the 1st Armoured Division, and the war veteran, Jan Tomasik.
Ms Grahame added: "I met with the Polish Consul-General Dr Thomasz Trafas in Edinburgh earlier this week and we discussed the map and he supports all of the efforts to protect the map, which will remind Scots of the historical heritage linking Poland with Scotland for many years to come."
The debate will take place on September 19th.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 03 Jul 12
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