Plume Academy teacher and 'Groovy Arts Club' member David Stephenson performed his final school gig in aid of Shelter and Plume students, on Monday (July 17), before retiring.

The band were ably supported by student band Fovea. Together, they raised a remarkable £411, making the night a roaring success for many.

Groovy Arts Club has been performing for seven years.

Mr Stephenson told Nub News, "My students have always been very supportive of my music."

With a number of them listening to his music on Spotify, he says "it means a lot that the students like my music so much".

Mr Stephenson chose the charity Shelter, to highlight the current struggles of many people during the cost of living crisis, as well as supporting Plume students.

The teacher has been at Plume Academy for for years and is about to retire.

He added: "I like to sing my songs and use music to engage my students in the classroom when teaching. In fact, occasionally my harmonica playing can be heard throughout the corridor during RE lessons!

"I'm mostly inspired by Glam Rock and bands such as T-Rex as well as the Sex Pistols and the Clash."

He also told Nub News about his plans to write a book about art and its crossover into the music world during the 1960's and 70's. He hopes this should be published in a couple of years.

The band, who began playing small festivals, is made up of some of Mr Stephenson's teacher friends including a teacher from Colchester Sixth Form on guitar and Eddie, the drummer, who is well-known professionally.

Mr Stephenson said: "I saw Eddie in his band in '76, supporting The Stranglers."

Now he will have more time to concentrate on his music, he would like to do a tour with the band to help promote his music and soon Groovy Arts Club can be heard Live at The Night Owl in Finsbury Park on July 29. Next year, the band will play a special night in Chicago.

Listen to some of the band's music below:



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