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TOTEM POLE |
| With the restoration of the Manchester Liners totem pole now imminent, we have now devoted a page to this important artifact. |
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Article from Manchester Liners News sent in by Ralph Murray
More news about the progress of the Totem Pole can be found on the Salford Online and on the Facebook website. http://www.salfordonline.com/totempole.php http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salford-Totem-Pole/259830036547
From: Bryan B Farlow
Hi Derrick, The attachment gives details of the totem pole restoration project. Also, the totem pole is being transported down to London, tomorrow morning. It will be on display in Trafalgar Square, in the vicinity of Canada House. Thursday, 1st. July is Canada Day and the totem pole will form part of that day’s celebrations. If MLOSA have members in the area, then perhaps they might wish to go along and take some photographs for the website. The link below gives details of the event. http://www.canadadaylondon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95&Itemid=77 With Best Wishes, Bryan
From: Bryan B Farlow Hi Derrick, I attended a meeting associated with the “Unlocking Salford Quays” art project at The Lowry, last evening. Prior to the meeting I called in at the Lowry Outlet Mall. To my pleasure and surprise I met Cllr. Stephen Coen, who was working in the room which houses the Manchester Liners totem pole. The new cedar wood repair items had arrived earlier that day, accompanied by representatives from the Liverpool based timber importing company, who had very kindly delivered the items from Canada free of charge. The totem pole had already been stripped of its former paintwork and is now ready for the visit of native Canadian Indian totem pole artist, Kevin Cranmer. Stephen informed me that Kevin Cranmer would be arriving at Salford Quays on Monday, 28th. June, 2010 and will be accompanied by two assistants. Kevin’s itinerary is expected to be : Monday, Tuesday, 28/29th. June, Salford Quays. Wednesday, Thursday, 30th. June/ 1st. July, London. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 2nd. thro’ to 8th. July, Salford Quays. It has been arranged for Kevin and his team to carry out the renovation work in a specially erected marquee, which will be located between The Lowry and the Lowry Outlet Mall. Visitors will be allowed inside the marquee and will be able to observe the renovation proceedings. This would give an opportunity for members of MLOSA to visit and make comment on the event. Again, I feel that Cllr. Stephen Coen ought to be respected for his dedication to this renovation project, without which the totem pole would still be languishing on its side, at its resting place in Felixstowe. Views have been aired, but at this moment in time a new location for the totem pole has not yet been agreed. General opinion is that it should be housed inside a building which is open to the public and that it can be viewed from a higher and a lower level. With Best Wishes, Bryan.
From: Bryan B Farlow Hi, Derrick / Steve / Peter, I have just had a telephone conversation with Salford Councillor, Stephen Coen. Apparently, Kevin Cranmer (the Native Canadian Indian totem pole artist) is expected to return to England either at the end of June or sometime in July. Stephen informed me about the Facebook link to Salford-Totem-Pole. (see below) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salford-Totem-Pole/259830036547 I am aware that the naming of the Totem Pole has given rise to some comment. However, I feel that much praise must be given to Stephen for his efforts in rescuing and in overseeing the restoration of the totem pole. There is still much work to be done and I hope that members of the MLOSA will continue to show its support for the project.
I hope that you all enjoy your MLOSA reunion at St. Anne’s, this coming weekend. With Best Wishes, Bryan.
From: Coen,
Councillor Hi All
MANCHESTER LINERS TOTEM POLE The unusual picture on the front cover of the February 2010 Newsletter is of the top of the Manchester Liners Totem Pole. The thirty feet, two and a half ton cedar pole was a gift to Mr Robert Stoker and the Company in 1969 and proudly stood in front of Manchester Liners House at Salford Docks for thirty seven years before being cut down, where the intention was to erect it in front of OOCL HQ at Felixstowe, the group into which Manchester Liners finally disappeared. The pole was carved by Chief Cranmer of the Kwa Kwa Ka’wakw Tribe from the northern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The head of it is of a Thunderbird, this being Chief Cranmer’s own symbol. The middle section is of a Whale, representing his father’s Tribe, and the lower section is of a Raven, the symbol of the Chilkat Tribe, that of his mother. Through the auspices of a Salford Councillor, Stephen Coen, the pole is now back at what is now Salford Quays and is currently undergoing restoration in the Lowry Mall by Kevin D Cranmer, the nephew of Chief Cranmer who sadly died three years ago. A new permanent home at Salford Quays, ideally inside, is hoped to be found for it where it can be seen by the public. If anyone has any ideas of how we can get a 200 kg piece of cedar, necessary for repairs, from Vancouver to Manchester, possibly for free in exchange for the publicity, please let me know. The pole’s return has received press and TV coverage. The British Museum has also shown an interest in this rare artefact. I went along to see the pole for myself at the Lowry Mall and met Kevin Cranmer and Stephen Coen. Hazel Blears MP and MLOSA members Bryan Farlow and Roy Featherstone were also there. Derrick Howarth
Viewing the Restoration Work At the Lowry Outlet Mall, Salford Quays, Salford M50 3AH Anyone wishing to see the restoration work being carried out on the totem pole should visit on December 13th, 14th or 15th, with the best time being Sunday 13th, Midday till about 1800 hours. Car Parking The Lowry Outlet Mall has its own
car park which is FREE for all shoppers for the first four hours if
you make a purchase – simply
present your car park ticket in any shop when you make a purchase and
it will be validated for you. MetroLink Salford Quays has a stop nearby
the Lowry on the ECCLES service of the MetroLink.
Salford ONline Videos relating to ml totem pole If using Internet Explorer it is necessary to click Tools and then Compatability View to play these videos
manchester evening news articles relating to ml totem pole Web links
From: Coen,
Councillor There's a good probability it is not an Eagle at the top but a Thunderbird , as there are two holes in the crown of the head.some people recall it having two horn type carvings coming from the head. Kevin Cramner suspects its a Thunderbird. Regards
From: Derrick
Howarth Hello Stephen Thank you for your email.
With the commencement of the restoration of the totem
pole now imminent, and in the expectation of generating more interest
and information, I have created a page devoted solely to the Totem
Pole for our website that collates all the correspondence so far
received concerning its well-being. I have also added your emails to our Lookout page. Since my email to you, I have also added the following descriptive article from ML News to accompany the picture on Mailbag: Our totem pole is itself again Ron and Mike have brought colour back into the 32-foot high Canadian Indian totem pole which stands guard at the entrance to Manchester Liners House. The totem pole, carved by a member of the Kwakiutl tribe, was placed outside the new building in 1969 as a permanent testimony to the links of trade and friendship between Canada and Manchester Liners. The pole has four symbolic representations. At the top is an eagle (ruler of the skies), followed by a killer whale (master of the seas), and then the raven (messenger, symbol of trade). At the bottom, a chief holding coppers (signifying wealth and power). Regards
From: "Coen, Councillor" <Councillor.Coen@salford.gov.uk> Gentlemen I continue to drive this restoration project forward and have as much as the community involved as possible, your input is very helpful. I am actually discovering new aspects to the Pole, which is now turning into a very important and significant work indeed. It would be really helpful if we could see a colour picture of the Pole when it first came over. We discovered 2 holes at the top of the Birds head but had no idea why they were there. On speaking to one of your very helpful members I was told that it use to have "something like Viking horns on the crown of its head when it was first put up". Now this information is very significant, I am in contact with the Nephew of the man who carved this, Kevin Cramner from the Kwakwaka'wakw tribe, Doug Cramner who carved this Pole died 3 years ago. We now know thanks to your help, the bird on the pole is a Thunderbird, which makes the Pole very important. The British Museum are coming up in a few weeks to survey it, and Kevin Cramner may be here to see the pole in December, it was he who told me thatit is made from Cedar wood and that due to the information you gave it was a Thunderbird. I shall keep you updated on developments. Thanks for you interest so far.
From: Coen,
Councillor Hi Derrick You of course can reproduce the email I sent, this project is going to be very much in the public eye. I can confirm the nephew of the man who carved this, Chief Doug Cramner, will be here from the 10th to the 17th of December starting the restoration, this will take place at the Lowry Outlet Mall.
From: Derrick
Howarth Dear Councillor Coen Your email of 25th October 2009 was forwarded to me by our ML Hon Sec. Captain Steve Worthington. We have just received a photograph of the Manchester Liners Totem Pole, which unfortunately is not in colour, but may help as regards the top of it. The photograph is copied from Manchester Liners News Volume 20 No 3 December 1980. On the top left of the pole can be seen a wing or ear and also a little further down on the front what appears to be a beak. Other related items to be found on our web site are: http://www.manchesterliners.co.uk/log.htm Quest for Totem Pole Further to the disclaimer on the bottom of your email, I ask your kind permission to reproduce the contents of your email on our web site as we have other related totem pole enquires already there and it all helps to generate interest in the pole. Regards
From: Ernie
Moore This photograph of the ML Totem Pole being painted is from ML News Vol20 No 3 December 1980.
The article reads: Our totem pole is itself again Ron and Mike have brought colour back into the 32-foot high Canadian Indian totem pole which stands guard at the entrance to Manchester Liners House. The totem pole, carved by a member of the Kwakiutl tribe, was placed outside the new building in 1969 as a permanent testimony to the links of trade and friendship between Canada and Manchester Liners. The pole has four symbolic representations . At the top is an eagle (ruler of the skies), followed by a killer whale (master of the seas), and then the raven (messenger, symbol of trade). At the bottom, a chief holding coppers (signifying wealth and power).
Quest for totem home From: Rita Wilkinson
From: Lever, David Perhaps we should try and raise some awareness to save it? Seems a pity to lose such an icon, these things have a lot of meaning to the Indians, and are considered sacred by some. Yours, Aye. Dave Leve
From: Bryan B Farlow Hello, Derrick, I have been prompted to make enquiries regarding the Canadian Indian Totem Pole, which used to stand outside Manchester Liners House, Salford Docks. The Offices have since been renamed Furness House. The totem pole was commissioned by Mr. Robert Stoker, who was at that time the Chairman of Manchester Liners. The totem pole was carved by Douglas Cranmer, of the Kwakiutl tribe of Indians, British Columbia, and it was delivered and erected in time for the opening ceremony of the new Manchester Liners House, 12th. December, 1969. In 2005, the totem pole was taken down, due to its state of deterioration. At the moment, the Pole lies in a shed on the King William Industrial Estate, adjacent to the former Salford Docks. Sooner or later, a decision will have to be made regarding how best to respect the Pole. Salford City Councillor, Cllr. Stephen Coen, is hoping that it might be restored and relocated in the old docks area. Apparently, Salford City Council does have a small sum of money, which could be contributed towards restoration costs. But current estimates would far exceed this amount. Another solution might be to restore the Totem Pole sufficiently for it to be suitably housed in The Salford Museum & Art Gallery. The links, below, give additional items of information regarding this issue. I will leave this matter with you for your consideration. If you consider that you might wish to have an “on-site” meeting, then I would be pleased to join you. Regards,
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