British monkey nut nudger reaches end of a hard road

By Reuters, 9/12/2003

LONDON -- A British man who has been nudging a monkey nut along the streets of London with his nose for 11 days finally reached the seat of power Friday.

After seven grueling miles in his quest to highlight rising student debt, Mark McGowan pushed the nut up the steps to Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street residence and told waiting reporters: "I've got a sore nose."

Performance artist McGowan -- nose shielded by a grimy sticking plaster -- deftly flicked the nut onto Blair's front step, and was greeted by an official who handed him a mug of tea.

"I'm trying to show the Prime Minister that he needs to bring back grants to people who need them," he told Sky television.

"I've got 15,000 pounds worth of debts -- and now I've got a sore nose," he added.

McGowan had previously walked for 11 miles with a turkey strapped to his head to persuade fat people to eat less. But the the trials he has to endure during this stunt were different.

"The streets of London are filthy," he said. "There's human hair, bird poo and all sorts."


Home > News > World British monkey nut nudger reaches end of a hard road By Reuters, 9/12/2003 LONDON -- A British man who has been nudging a monkey nut along the streets of London with his nose for 11 days finally reached the seat of power Friday. After seven grueling miles in his quest to highlight rising student debt, Mark McGowan pushed the nut up the steps to Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street residence and told waiting reporters: "I've got a sore nose." Performance artist McGowan -- nose shielded by a grimy sticking plaster -- deftly flicked the nut onto Blair's front step, and was greeted by an official who handed him a mug of tea. "I'm trying to show the Prime Minister that he needs to bring back grants to people who need them," he told Sky television. "I've got 15,000 pounds worth of debts -- and now I've got a sore nose," he added. McGowan had previously walked for 11 miles with a turkey strapped to his head to persuade fat people to eat less. But the the trials he has to endure during this stunt were different. "The streets of London are filthy," he said. "There's human hair, bird poo and all sorts."