A retired builder who carved a majestic totem pole to commemorate his Canadian friends has been left feeling "hurt" after the council screwed anti-bird spikes into it.
Chris Smith, 71, spent almost £700 and 10 weeks crafting the 17ft totem pole in Radcliffe-on-Trent.
Mr Smith carved the sculpture to keep "the memory alive" of his Canadian friends who he grew up with after numerous military families moved to the area in 1956.
Radcliffe-on-Trent Parish Council erected the totem pole outside Grange Hall in Vicarage Lane in 2013.
However, on July 2 spikes were screwed into the sculpture to prevent bird poo dripping onto a plaque below which explains the history behind his artwork.
Mr Smith said the council had been "disrespectful" because he had not been consulted about the plans.
"It's vandalism," he said. "In the main part the council does a good job but on occasions like this they have let themselves down.
"It's despicable what they have done. I'm hurt that they did not have the decency to contact me.
"They have screwed two big spiked rings on the wings of the pole, which is going to let water to ingress into the wood and rot.
"Someone has told me before that they have seen birds stuck on these spikes still alive, so it's dangerous for them.
"All it would have come down to is moving the board below it."
Many Canadian families moved to the area in 1956, when Mr Smith was just nine years old, as servicemen serving in the the Royal Canadian Air Force were shipped out to Langar where inventory and supplies were stored at the 30 Material Air Base.
The air base provided logistical support while maintaining supplies and parts to 1 Air Division, which had its headquarters in Metz, France, shortly after NATO was formed due to concerns over communism expanding across Western Europe.
Canadian children were integrated into the schools, and Mr Smith described the period from 1956 to 1963 as "wonderful".
Just before leaving, Canadian student Tim Barton, who was 17 at the time, carved three totem poles, two of which "disappeared" over time, so Mr Smith set about creating one of his own for the 50th anniversary of the Canadians leaving the village.
He added: "I spent the majority of my school days with the Canadians, they thought our village was wonderful.
"I did it to keep the memory alive, quite a few of them still come over now. To say I am angered is an understatement."
The totem pole is decorated with different symbols representing Canada.
Mr Smith said he had sent a letter to the council regarding the issue to get the matter resolved.
Radcliffe-on-Trent Parish council said: "We have nothing to say until Mr Smith's correspondence has been considered by the Parish Council."
