ONE of the more unusual events of this year's E17 Art Trail is a recreation of Antony Gormley's 'Plinth Project' on the streets of Walthamstow.

Mr Gormley, an acclaimed artist, created a stir last summer when he organised for thousands of people to spend an hour each on Trafalgar Square's empty fourth plinth over the course of 100 days.

Participants were allowed to do whatever they wanted - all in the name of art, of course.

Over at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub, in Hoe Street, staff decided to set up their own version showcasing a cross section of life in the borough.

Since its opening last Saturday, dozens of residents and pub-goers have taken it in turns to spend 15 minutes on a small stage on the pavement outside the pub to entertain and bemuse those going past.

"It's been fantastic," said organiser and co-owner of the pub, Viv Barrett.

"We've had all kinds of things. We had someone playing a Welsh harp, a man performing a monologue about how dogs were going to take over the world and we also just had someone who lay down on the plinth and read a book.

"We only have two rules. You can't be offensive or abusive and you have to keep your clothes on. Having said that we've already had five or six people asking if they can go on it and be nude life models. But I just don't think we could deal with that."

One of those who took to the stage yesterday was 57-year-old Pauline Millar of Nelson Road in Chingford.

She spent her 15 minutes showing passers-by how to make a hat in order to promote adult education courses at Waltham Forest Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS).

She said afterwards: "It was good fun. It was a bit hard making the hat because it was quite windy.

"I think it's been a great idea. You get to see so many different things this way."

Next up was 40-year-old David Elms of Howard Road, who has his own exhibition of photographs on display at Ye Olde Rose and Crown.

He spent his time snapping photos of passers-by and traffic.

He said: "I'm normally behind the camera so it's a bit of a change for me to be on display like this.

"I've seen some outstanding performances on the plinth, it's been great.

"I'm a member of Walthamstow and District Photographic Society and we meet just round the corner so we often come to this pub. Viv asked me if I wanted to take part I was happy to agree."

The reaction from pedestrians and motorists to the spectacle has been mixed.

"I think most people's first reaction is one of bemusement," said Ms Barrett.

"However a lot of people have been stopping to watch and the customers love it."

The plinth project runs from 5pm to 8pm all this week, and between 2pm and 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

And for more information about adult education classes - including hat making - call 020-8521-4311.

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