Virginia Water Totem pole to be taken down
It was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II in 1958.
Last updated 3rd Apr 2024
One of the area's most eye-catching and much-loved landmarks is to be taken down.
Windsor Totem Pole in Virginia Water was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Government of British Columbia in 1958.
The huge 100ft Pole will now be lowered and allowed to slowly deteriorate and decay.
It was originally presented to the Queen by Chief Mungo Martin to mark the centenary of British Columbia, with its height chosen to mark one foot for every year.
The Totem Pole was erected by the Royal Engineers, and has stood for the past 60 years as a reminder of the historic links between Canada and the United Kingdom.
It was carved from a 600 year old tree with an identical sister pole installed in Vancouver.
The totem pole has been blessed by Hereditary Chief David Mungo Knox, great-grandson of the pole’s creator, Chief Mungo Martin, ahead of its lowering.
No decision has yet been reached as to what may replace it.
Natural lifespan
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate said:
“The Totem Pole has now reached the end of its natural lifespan.
“Like its sister pole, the Centennial Pole in Vancouver, which was lowered in 2018, this totem pole will now be lowered.
“The next stage of the totem pole’s existence is for it to be laid to rest and for it to slowly deteriorate and decay.
“This decision has been reached after careful consideration, and long discussion with the First Nation Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw peoples in British Columbia.”
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