We’re sorry to learn of the death of the writer and biographer Paul Ferris, at the age of 89. His 1977 biography of Dylan Thomas has been the standard work for many years and will have introduced many of us to the colourful life behind Dylan’s writing. In the introduction to his biography of Thomas, [...]
My grandmother (or Nonna) Caitlin Thomas was born one hundred and four years ago on the 8th December 1913. To mark the date I would like to share this fascinating interview that she did with Vincent Kane in 1977. Throughout she is incredibly candid and amazingly honest as she details her weaknesses such as: her [...]
As part of my ‘Month of Letters’ blogs to mark the re-release of Dylan Thomas’s Collected Letters in two paperback volumes, here are two more letters. They were written to Dylan’s wife Caitlin Thomas in January 1951 while Dylan was in Persia on a filmmaking trip for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. I’ve chosen these particular letters because [...]
In last week’s blog, I explored the chain reaction of events that led to Dylan Thomas developing the one-sided and superficial image of being a randy letch and outrageous drunk. I would like to follow on from that and consider other fallouts that resulted from him dying young and being famous. In particular, how [...]
“Feet up with cup of tea BUT it is bloody hot.” This was a text from my dad last Tuesday and I have had similar moans and groans from: my husband, my son, on the school run – there was even a grumble fest about the warm weather on Radio 5’s Your Call. I have [...]
I was recently asked by one of Dylan Thomas’s literary agents to provide her with a Dylan Thomas biography that she could share with organisations and individuals that were interested in performing Dylan’s work. Below is my first attempt at condensing the first twenty-five years of his life (the second part is next week) which [...]
It's that time of year again, the famous (or should that be infamous?) Laugharne weekend is upon us and the small seaside town in West Wales will be alive with festival goers hoping that everything will be as quirky and as chaotic as normal - they would be disappointed if things were to run smoothly! You [...]
I have had a few experiences recently that have completely caught me off guard. The result being that I am now challenging myself and questioning my recall of some very significant memories. On Monday evening, as usual, I was driving my son to football training. I parked the car, switched off the engine and looked [...]
In recognition of the London screening of 'Love Somehow', a film about the relationship between Dylan and Caitlin Thomas, I have decided to write a blog about my grandmother. It's slightly different (hopefully not too cheesy!) as I've expressed my thoughts and feelings through a letter to her. I always called her Nonna (Nanny in [...]
