YOUNG pupils have been trying to settle back down to their studies after a dream musical outing to the Royal Albert Hall last week. Forty seven children, part of Withycombe Raleigh s Stomp group, visited the prestigious venue in London last Tuesday, Nov

YOUNG pupils have been trying to settle back down to their studies after a 'dream' musical outing to the Royal Albert Hall last week.

Forty seven children, part of Withycombe Raleigh's Stomp group, visited the prestigious venue in London last Tuesday, November 10, to play in the 2009 School Proms.

The band specialise in playing music with recycled household items including old pickle tubs, water bottles and waste bins.

Gill Chalkley, a year six teacher and music leader at the school, said: "The stompers are still recovering from their fantastic and very long day in London.

"They left Exmouth at 6.30am while it was still pitch black, and returned to more blackness at 2.20am on Wednesday.

"Luckily their head teacher had agreed to a late start for that day.

"They arrived at the Royal Albert Hall just in time to get on the stage for the light and sound checks.

"Various comments were heard as they saw the stage and hall for the first time: 'yikes', 'oh no, I don't believe it', 'help', plus a few that shouldn't be printed!

Gill said the children spent part of the afternoon at the Science Museum where they experienced the Imax theatre before returning to the hall ahead of the count-down to the concert.

She added: "Withycombe Stomp was the second act on, following a band called Jilambis.

"Five and half thousand in the audience was an impressive and rather daunting sight, but everyone took their places and waited for the green light.

"Four sections of Stomp were placed around the audience and when their cue was heard, they started playing as they made their way down from the stalls to join the main group on stage."

Gill said the entire audience erupted into applause at the end of their performance.

"Many parents and brothers or sisters travelled up to support the group, some were former Stomp members who wished it was them on the stage.

"Some governors and the head teacher of Withycombe Raleigh Primary School were also in the audience.

"Everyone agreed it was a wonderful day which would live with them forever."

Withycombe Raleigh Primary School would like to thank Exmouth Town Council, Adventure Trust for Girls, Pain Trust and Devon Music Services, for their help with funding.

The school would also like to thank Shack for sweatshirts and two bus banners which were displayed at the back of the vehicles.