The Woodlarks Centre in Farnham has a colourful addition to its already colourful flowerbeds - a totem pole.

The totem pole was unveiled at a ceremony on Wednesday with Farnham mayor, Cllr Brodie Mauluka, topping off the installation to keep with tradition.

The grounds were decorated with bunting, balloons and hundreds of prayer flags in a nod to the centre’s Nepalese contingent.

The event began with a drumming performance from the Farnham Youth Taiko Group by 12 young performers led by teacher Mark Alcock.

Cllr Mauluka then placed the final piece on the pole to cheers from watching residents, families, friends, staff and councillors.

The totem pole was made possible by a grant of £1,800 from the South Street Trust and was created by residents working with local ceramic storyteller Katie Netley in workshops over two months.

The residents moulded and carved clay sections, using a woodland theme and incorporating personal interests into the pieces so that flowers, birds and guinea pigs feature in the pole. Subsequent sessions involved painting glaze onto the sections ready for the kiln and assembling the work.

Hunter Delves, activities manager at the centre, said: “It was such a special day.

“The project was a huge success and greatly enjoyed by our resident family.

“There was a lot of drama in the news that day and it was so heartwarming to have so many people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together to celebrate, laugh and support each other as we should.”