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Posted by Tony Flynn on 3rd March 2011 at 04:27 PM Video: Salford Totem Pole song
by Tony Flynn
Pete Martin, brother of the late Joe Martin, who was the Conservation Officer for Salford and the original discoverer of the Salford Totem Pole, came into our offices this week and sang this heartfelt plea.
Joe Martin and Councillor Steve Coen were the first to highlight the plight of the Salford Totem Pole which at the time was languishing in a garage in Kent.
In the song Pete tells the story of the totem pole and how it is part of Salford's heritage, and how the Cranmer family came over from Canada to help restore the pole to its former glory.
I love the part where he sings that the totem pole is a work of art and belongs to the people of Salford and should stay in Salford.
Finally he asks where you the listener would like the totem pole to be sited, so drop us a line with your suggestion.
 Comment by Pete 6th March 2011
From what I remember Joe always knew who the custodians of the pole were (Furness Withy/OCCL) but didn't necessarily know the exact whereabouts. As soon as Steve Coen showed an interest, Joe contacted the custodians who told him where it was. |
Comment by Mike Salford 5th March 2011
Tonto, the text in this article says >>the original discoverer of the Salford Totem Pole<<, I assumed that equates with lost. OCCL, from what I hear, were always upfront and helpful,it was Salford Council and Museum who said they did not want it. It wasn't about discovery but more about they should not of let it go in the first place, even though offered it!,the fact it came back at all,thats the good news. |
Comment by Tonto 5th March 2011
Were does it say it was lost, in the article?, languishing in a garage in Kent isn't the same thing surely. |
Comment by Pete 4th March 2011
Mike, this is absolutely true I remember Joe telling me and I refer to it in the song when I said that the pole should never have been spurned. |
Comment by Mike Salford 4th March 2011
Tony, for the record the Pole was offered to Salford Council's Museums and they turned it down in 2005/6, Joe worked as the Conservation officer but regretably could do nothing about the Pole going dahn sarf!.so OCCL took it to Kent. That's when Councillor Coen turned up and started asking (the right) questions!...the rest is history as the saying goes.It was never actually lost. |
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