Salford Totem Pole
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Salford's Totem Pole On The Move - (Part 7)

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The totem pole in its current state The totem pole in its current state This is the plaque which commemorates the opening of Manchester Liners House and which was laid at the foot of the totem pole on the 12th December 1969 Kevin Cramner, nephew of Doug Cramner. Photo courtesy of Councillor Coen Douglas Cramner at his craft. Photo courtesy of Councillor Coen




Posted by Tony Flynn on 27th November 2009 at 03:24 PM
Salford's Totem Pole On The Move - (Part 7)
By Tony Flynn
Photographs by Roy Bullock

SalfordOnline can today reveal that the Salford Totem Pole currently languishing in a lock up in Broughton, Salford will be moving to The Lowry Outlet Mall, Salford Quays on Tuesday, 1st December.

A specialist team of removal experts have been called in to supervise the delicate task of moving the Totem Pole onto a flat back removal lorry and ensuring its safe journey to The Quays.

The Totem Pole which is in a bad state of neglect will be restored back to its pristine glory by Kevin Cranmer, the nephew of the original carver, Douglas Cranmer of The First Nation Tribe of Canadian Indians, The Kwakiutl.

The Totem Pole was originally erected in 1969 outside The Manchester Liners Office on Trafford Road, Salford as a reminder of the trade links with the Canadian communities. It was taken down in 2005 due to deterioration and kept in storage ever since.

Also we can reveal new and unseen colour photographs of The Totem Pole in situ and later on when it was in storage in a unit on Broadway, Salford.

These superb photographs were taken by the well known Salford local historian, Roy Bullock, many thanks Roy.

Image: The Salford Totem Pole in its original position outside the Manchester Liners Office



Related Links

To watch the video of the Totem Pole on the move click here
Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  17th December 2009
wow, uncle, this is so amazing - if you read this I hope you are having a ball restoring your uncle doug's work......nice pole. I like the way he does the eyes on that pole, it looks awesome. to me they are sized in a unique way - very nice looking. ps- pick up a manchester U jersey hey? :P

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  3rd December 2009
Have a look at The Salford News update story and you will see the Totem Pole arriving at The Lowry Outlet Mall, its all looking good, tempted to say that the eagle has landed!.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  3rd December 2009
Has the Pole been moved yet?

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  3rd December 2009
Depending on the people telling the story, the Thunderbird is either a singular entity or a species. In both cases, it is intelligent, powerful, and wrathful. All agree that one should go out of one's way to keep from getting thunderbirds angry. The singular Thunderbird (as the Nuu-chah-nulth thought of him) was said to reside on the top of a mountain, and was the servant of the Great Spirit. The Thunderbird only flew about to carry messages from one spirit to another. It was also told that the thunderbird controlled rainfall. So maybe it was a good idea for the Old dockers to ask him for no Rain after all!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  1st December 2009
We in Salford are also humbled that you are coming over to restore the Totem Pole, please rest assured that you will receive a proper warm Salford welcome and be taken to our hearts. This means so much to so many people and the love that this will generate between The KWAKWAKAWAKW and the the people of Salford will be immense, so please hurry over.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  1st December 2009
Honored and humbled to have been asked to work on this beutiful pole, uncle Doug's artistic achievements are well known amongst our KWAKWAKAWAKW(Kwakwala speaking people). We shall do our best! T'suxt'sa'esagame- Kevin Cranmer

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  30th November 2009
Spelling is not my strong point,however this is Kevins traditional name, and this is spelt correctly! T'suxt'sa'esagame (underlined 'g' and underlined 'a') Regards Steve Coen

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  30th November 2009
How come Cllr Coen spells it Cramner on his photos and his comments, yet someone else spells it Cranmer?. Who is correct.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  30th November 2009
CRANMER not Cramner

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  28th November 2009
As an old docker who used to work mainly out of the old No 9 dock me and the gang were never aware of its history, it was just there one day. Anyway one of the gang Chris Clarke reckoned that we had to give it a rub every time we passed it in the morning he reasoned that it would keep the rain away, ( the dockers main fear ) What with Chris being an avid John Wayne fan,and he had seen it in the cowboy films. So if we want sunny days to return to Salford get down there and give it a rub,you never know.Mike Bell

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  28th November 2009
Kevin Cranmer certainly looks a colourful character, we look forward to seeing him in Salford.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  28th November 2009
Great story and great photographs,it will look marvellous when fully restored and put back in view for everbody in Salford. Will it be sited permanently at The Lowry Outlet Mall or just being taken there for restoration?. Good luck to everyone involved with this project especially SalfordOnline. James Curran.

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  27th November 2009
I know our freinds in Canada are looking at this site, please feel free to make comments

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  27th November 2009
It's being restored by the Nephew,Kevin Cramner, his traditional name is T'suxt'sa'esagame (underlined 'g' and underlined 'a') Cllr Steve Coen

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  27th November 2009
Wonderful photos!

Report as offensive or innapropriate Comment by Guest  27th November 2009
'restored back to its pristine glory by the grandson of the original carver' -heartwarming. Unfortunate that it is not going 'home' as such but great news nonetheless. AJ

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