Salford Totem Pole
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Kevin Cranmer in Pole position





Posted by Editor on 11th December 2009 at 05:13 PM
Kevin Cranmer in Pole position
by Tony Flynn

Kevin Cranmer, the nephew of Douglas Cranmer the original carver of The Salford Totem Pole, has finally arrived in Salford and has seen for the first time the Totem Pole currently resting at The Lowry Outlet Mall.

He will be here initially for a week to assess the damage to the Totem Pole before starting restoration work, which is scheduled to finish mid-January 2010, ably assisted by apprentices from City West, who can be seen in the video.

Kevin, whose other credits include a 40 foot totem pole that stands in Stanley Park, Vancouver; a 30 foot pole on display at the Museum of Civilization in Ottowa; and a 36 foot totem pole carved for the closing Ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. He has also been initiated as a Hamatsa, the most important of the complex dance societies of the Kwakwaka'wakw tribe.

To the delight of workmen, staff and shoppers at The Lowry Outlet Mall, Kevin donned traditional tribal clothing and performed a ritual dance ceremony around the totem pole, a ceremony which is sacred to the Kwakwaka'wakw, which symbolises good fortune and prosperity.

Finally, Kevin told me that he is a Manchester United fan and is to be a guest of the club for tomorrow's game against Aston Villa and is looking forward to a high scoring game, as long as Manchester United win!

Our video of this event will follow asap.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  13th December 2009
Hello all: this is Kevin's sister, Lou-ann messaging...we're all SO very proud of Kevin and the work he'll be doing on his uncle Doug's totem pole. Kevin's three children, Gana'o, Daniel and Tony miss their dad & send BIG hugs, and look forward to his return home. Until then - thank you, people of Salford! Have a wonderful week! Lou-ann

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  11th December 2009
How good is this?, a Man Utd Fan and helping our Salford heritage come alive. I for one will be checking this out at The Lowry Outlet. Make the man welcome and call in, tell him what a great job he is doing for Salford. Tommy K.

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