Hoards of people gathered today for a very special occasion in the Polish calendar. 

Today not only marks Remembrance Sunday but also Polish Independence Day where Polish people come together to commemorate the anniversary of the restoration of Poland's sovereignty. 

Dozens of people of Polish descent gathered today Sunday, November 10 at the Polish church on Watlington Street to celebrate. 

Speaking to Przemyslaw Swiderek, who is a member of the LHG First to Fight group, he said that this is always a big occasion for the Polish population of Reading. 

"It is very similar to Remembrance Day," he said. "It is a festival for Polish Independence Day and we all come together to celebrate.

"We first have a mass at 11 pm and then at lunchtime, we all have traditional Polish food."

The food on offer, which was largely served in the churchyard, included fresh waffles, cakes, lemonade, and a barbeque with sausages, pickles, and bread. 

This reporter was lucky enough to be offered to try the barbequed sausage with pickles and mustard, which was very tasty. 

"It is very simple things that we are doing, celebrating history and remembering the Polish forces who fought in Italy," Mr Swiderek continued. 

"Every year there are quite a lot of people that come together as it is a way for us all to get together, Polish people from all across Reading and some from Bracknell too." 

After we spoke the living history group went inside to give a presentation to the families.