I went to school with a lot of kids who had at least one Polish parent who came over during WW2. (This was in Oldham, Lancs). Where I now live there is a large Polish community in the Potteries, and lots of Polish clubs round about. Perhaps the reason why the current movement of Poles to Britain is because there is work, but also because there are some cultural reference points as a legacy of those who came earlier? Personal (but not extensive) experience of the new Polish arrivals is that they tend to be enthusiastic, skilled and very pleasant people.
tim