Despite Warsaw and Krakow popping up on the easyjet map,the rest of Poland remains largely undiscovered by British businesses and holidaymakers.
Sandwiched as it is between Germany and Russia, it rarely gets a mention in England except in relation to the war and international football.
But its entry into the European Union has seen the country's stock rise considerably and this is already having an impact, even in lesserknown
destinations such as Sochaczew.
About 3,000 of the town's 38,000 residents watched Melton Mayor Pam Posnett help to open the annual Festival of Sochaczew on Saturday.
The honour was the highlight of a four-day trip for Mrs Posnett, who was among a fivestrong Melton delegation.
Existing links with Sochaczew Town Council were strengthened, and Melton
Twinning Association cemented a 'friendship' with the Ukrainian town of Gr"dek, also twinned with Sochaczew.
Mrs Posnett said: "Twinning is very important because we can learn from each other – the way Sochaczew develops children's musical abilities is
particularly impressive, for example.
"It's all based on having an understanding of other people's cultures, religions and way of life, and when we make the effort it works both ways."
Fellow Melton Councillor Pat Cumbers manned a joint Melton and Gr"dek stall during the festival, which featured live music and street
stalls.
The town of Sochaczew itself lies about 40 miles west of Warsaw in the middle of a provincial region of the same name, similar to Melton
borough.
Attractive rolling countryside supports traditional farming while the urban economy is based on factories that include a division of Masterfoods. More recently small businesses have started to grow rapidly and several construction projects, including an airport, are in the pipeline.
A key battle in the defence of Poland from the 1939 German invasion took place nearby at the River Bzura, and the area has supported human inhabitants since prehistoric times.
In future the town hopes to accelerate progress with the help of multi-million pound grants from the European Union.
Bogumil Czubacki (59) is the elected Mayor of Sochaczew, a title that in Poland holds central political power alongside ceremonial duties.
He said: "I started to believe in myself and the town even more when the relationship with the EU started. Many new businesses have started to mushroom – the appearance of the city and the whole of Poland has started to change through development.
"Twinning relationships are also very important and I hope the successful one formed with Melton continues to develop."
