100 years ago today, 27th October 1914, Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, South Wales. Writer of stories, books, plays, poems and prose he was both prolific and imaginative. Perhaps ‘Under Milk Wood’ will be his best remembered story….a story intended to be ‘A Play for the Radio’. It was in this simple ‘Writing Shed’ (above and below) that much of his work was created.
The Writing Shed is still standing where it always has done, in the village of Laugharne (pronounced Larn) in a tranquil spot above the River Taf an ideal spot to think, imagine and create.
Sadly Dylan Thomas only had a short life dying on the 9th November 1953 aged 39, in New York. But by all accounts his life was far from dull often described as flamboyant and boisterous, perhaps if he had lived into the 1960’s his life style would have been described as that of a ‘hell raiser’.
Swansea proudly remembers Dylan Thomas. There is a Dylan Thomas Centre, The Dylan Thomas Theatre and of course a statue.
For many of Dylan Thomas’s followers it is Laugharne to which they make their pilgrimage, to explore the village, walk the streets, visualise the locations of some of his stories and of course walk along the coastal routes above the River Taf.
Follow the links below to read more about Dylan Thomas his life, travels and ultimately his untimely death….
http://www.dylanthomas.com/ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Thomas
It is perhaps very appropriate and also very poignant that the words of what many critics think is his best work
“Do not go gentle into that good night” might well be the best epitaph for his life.
Dylan Thomas 1914 – 1953
27th October
(C) David Oakes 2014
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 