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Letters / Ridicule pole?

Contributed

21 February 2019 12:54

TOTEM poles are a well-known feature of the indigenous cultures of northwest America.

It is less well known that in some tribes it was customary to erect a ‘ridicule pole’ outside the residence of prominent persons responsible for a ludicrous and/or tragic fiasco.

Could any of our contemporary British wood carvers make a decent job of a ridicule pole? And would the planners give permission for one in Downing Street?

Jonathan Wills
Bressay

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