Last week was the start of the festival season in and around Wales and I could not have witnessed two more diverse events only 50 miles or so apart.
Remember that I’m writing this in the knowledge that, although Dylan spoke only English, (more…)
Bob Zimmerman, Dylan and John Lennon – what’s in a name?
Oh dear – I’ve just offended an American!
I stumbled across a blog called the Ten Minute Ramble with some videos of Bob Dylan and just pointed out that he took his name from our own Dylan.
If I did! (more…)
Youtube video captures spirit of Number 5
Join Dylan for breakfast
“…the most inspirational house in Wales…”
Leading European writer Eric Verdonck and his Welsh guide John Wake stayed at Number 5 during Eric’s visit to research a book about Wales.
John’s video is accompanied by evocative music from the group Osian whose lead singer Lorraine King joined them on part of their stay.
Like Dylan we have had a period of inactivity!
Particularly towards the end of his life Dylan Thomas has periods when the words never came. Actually, that’s not strictly true – the words of his poetry didn’t come but his film scripts and his radio work gave him new life – and money!
That is why the Dylan Thomas Prize accepts entries in all the genres that Dylan worked – fiction, short stories, poetry collections, film and media scripts. It was strange then to hear that Tessa Dahl (she’s the one squashed between Roald and Sophie) at the launch of the Prize in Boston on St David’s Day question whether you could differentiate and find a winner. (more…)
First impressions
I first saw inside 5 Cwmdonkin Drive in October 2003 when the house was open to visitors during the Dylan Thomas Festival on the 50th anniversary of his death.
At the time the house was leased to City and County of Swansea. As I walked up to the door I didn’t really know what to expect. The outside had the same drab, down at heel look as it done for many years before. (more…)
To begin at the beginning
Most people we know think that we are mad to attempt to restore 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Uplands,Swansea - the birthplace of Dylan Thomas – to its condition in 1914 when it was bought as a new house by the Thomas family. Dylan Thomas was born in the front bedroom a few months later in October 1914.With this blog we will chronicle our experiences but first of all confess to a little bit of cheating! As Dylan said “…to begin at the beginning…” (more…)
Our Vision
Dylan Thomas is the most famous son of Swansea. A bold claim as there are so many others with claim to the crown but Thomas has a lasting appeal with the legend starting during his own lifetime.
His birthplace – long neglected just as Dylan has been in his home town - is due for restoration and return to its former glory.
