Totem Casts A Spell

Not without controversy, the totem pole has now been erected in St Joseph's Crescent and officially "opened".

It is flanked by a heavy duty fence which also embraces carvings. Whether this is a good location and, indeed, the right type of public art remains a question unlikely to be answered immediately, if at all. That the outcome of the exercise in terms of artistic quality is fantastic, should not be a difficult conclusion.

It certainly cast a spelt on the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress (see picture) when they arrived for an official ceremony on Wednesday 24 October. It was a cold day and despite being half term, the number of young people present was only modest the food laid on by Downland Housing Association could have coped with five times as many. Determined encouragement by Downland staff has meant that some of the young people played a leading part in the concept of the installation. (Some residents have begged for similar commitment from Downland in dealing with some of their more day-to-day concerns).

Do pop down to St Joseph's Crescent and have a look at the wooden sculptures whilst they are new and unharmed.
You might then care to share your views with Spotlight readers in the Forum.

1st November 2007