The Marshall of Lodz has made a special visit to the new Polish Armed Forces’ Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

He spent two days in Lichfield on a trip organised by the West Midlands Regional Assembly. Councillor David Smith, leader of Lichfield District Council, welcomed the Marshall, Wlodzimierz Fisiak, to Lichfield.

The visit to Lichfield began with a guided tour of the heritage city, taking in Lichfield Cathedral, the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Erasmus Darwin House and other key attractions.

The highlight of the Marshall’s stay in Lichfield District was a special tour of the National Memorial Arboretum to see the new Polish Armed Forces Memorial, which was officially unveiled on September 19.

“It was a great honour to welcome such an important guest to Lichfield, and we have thoroughly enjoyed introducing him to our beautiful district. I first met the Marshall in 2006 when I visited Poland to sign a letter of intent to develop inter-regional co-operation between the West Midlands and the region of Lodz.

“Our aim is that by working closely together, we can help to boost local and regional businesses by encouraging cross trade, investment and development, as well as creating strong tourism links. This trip was made even more special by a visit to the breathtaking new Polish Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum which was unveiled this month,” said Councillor Smith.

Mr Fisiak also met with business leaders at Birmingham Airport to discuss building strong business links, as well as students and staff at Coventry University, where a number of ongoing partnership projects are under way.

“This is my first trip to England and I have been warmly welcomed everywhere I have gone. I very much enjoyed visiting Lichfield and only regret that I didn’t have longer to explore this beautiful city and surrounding district.

“It was an honour and incredibly touching to lay a wreath at the Polish Armed Forces Memorial,” he said.