PUPILS from St Mary's Hall, Stonyhurst, took part in a special workshop at the Manchester Opera House.

The acclaimed fantasy novel, The Hobbit, was written by J R R Tolkien, whose son, Michael, taught ancient history and classics at Stonyhurst College in the 1960s and 70s.

Michael's daughter, Judy Tolkien, was also the first girl to be taught at Stonyhurst College when it went co-educational.

Tolkien received much of his inspiration for his writing during visits to Stonyhurst in the scenic Hodder Valley.

And it is thought he did much of his writing in what is now Stonyhurst College's information technology department.

The Hobbit has now been adapted for the stage and is currently being performed at the Manchester Opera House.

A group of 23 pupils from St Mary's Hall, the feeder school for Stonyhurst College, took part in a workshop at the Opera House with director Roy Marsden, adaptor Glyn Robbins and producer Venessa Ford.

They also watched a performance of the show, after which they met the cast of the top production.

Teacher Jonathan Hewat said: "It is accepted that Tolkien received much of his inspiration for such things as Whilty Windle and the Misty Mountains while walking by the River Hodder and woods behind Stonyhurst College and St Mary's Hall.

"And such was his love of trees that he persuaded his son, Michael, to plant a copse in the grounds of his staff house at the college, which can still be seen today!"

He said the youngsters had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and thanked everyone concerned.

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