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…)
Easter events – which one would Dylan choose?
Easter always seems a bit on a non event as a Bank Holiday weekend. The promised sun never seems to materialise and this year it was rain and cold winds to make it feel more like December.
While the beaches and attractions suffered we were ones to gain with a steady flow of house tours. I got me wondering which of the events of the weekend would Dylan have chosen? (more…)
Good local food – try Vincent’s
Eating out can sometimes be a bit of a gamble but we’d heard such good reports of Vincent’s in Eversley Road, Sketty that we sent John, Eric and Lorraine there last week – they were not disappointed so when Ian Griffiths and Carol came over from Suffolk we decided to put our money where our mouth was and give it a try. (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.
Dylan Thomas Birthplace / Family Home 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, Wales, UK 