THE programme for this year's E17 Art Trail has been announced, with organisers promising it will be the biggest but most intimate yet.

Now in its seventh year, what began as a small collection of displays and installations has ballooned in popularity to become a huge ten day cultural celebration involving more than 300 events.

And the trend for festivals-within-a-festival, sparked by the Walthamstow International Film Festival last year, will continue this September with a new specialist poetry trail, along with a separate programme of activities just for children.

The theme this year - 'On Your Marks' – is loosely based on anticipation for the 2012 London Olympics, and it has been enthusiastically taken up by participants.

Among the more unusual events is a display of synchronised swimming at Waltham Forest College Pool and a plan for a concert performed by a half-submerged choir.

And pupils at Our Lady and St.George’s School in Shernhall Street are also getting into the arty Olympic spirit with an exhibition based on what they can do in ten seconds – a reference to the time it takes top athletes to complete the 100 metres sprint.

Festival coordinator Laura Kerry said the event, which takes place between September 2 and 11, would not only be entertaining and fun, but was important in light of the recent riots and looting across London.

She said: “It is things like this which really help demonstrate the strength of community in Walthamstow. We've had so many people wanting to get involved, it's been overwhelming how it grows every year.”

Click here to download this year's programme.

A launch event takes place this Sunday (August 14) in Walthamstow Town Square between 11am and 3pm.

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