by Sucheta | May 5, 2024 | Blog, Swansea Today
Dylan Thomas needs no introduction. For the uninitiated, he was a Welshman from Swansea who composed poems, stories, and plays. Some of his immortal works include poems such as ‘Do not go gentle into the good night’, Death shall have no dominion’, the radio play ‘Under Milk Wood’.
Dylan Thomas
In his rather short lifetime, he produced a huge body of works. More than two-thirds of his works were composed in his little house in Uplands, Swansea. This story is as much about him as it is about the house where he was born. The beautiful house No. 5 in Cwmdonkin Drive is preserved by industrious efforts of Geoff Haden and Alun Gibbard.
The Dylan Thomas House in Swansea
We met Geoff Haden, the house restorer and curator, who regaled us with interesting conversations and stories about Dylan Thomas and his house which is ‘a living museum’.
Geoff Haden, house restorer and curator
On seeing the unkempt condition of the house in 2003, Mr Haden decided to do something about it. After the city council gave up the house’s lease, Mr Haden took it over in 2005. He restored the house just as it was in 1914, taking cues from Dylan’s poems and stories, and his neighbours. The wall paint, furnishings, house layout and more were attempted to be kept closest to the original, sometimes furnishing various paraphernalia from charities, car boot sales and auctions.
After three intense years of ‘labour of love’, this house was reopened in 2008, on Dylan’s 94th Birthday, by Dylan’s daughter Aeronwy. What we see today are his tireless efforts to preserve the house of one of the most important Welshmen in history.
Dylan’s family moved to this posh part of Swansea to climb up the social ladder, although Dylan’s father was struggling with money on his meagre income as a school teacher. The house comprises:
The Front Bedroom
The Front Room
The tour begins with the front bedroom located upstairs, overlooking the road and Cwmdonkin Park, which appeared as a subject in many of Dylan’s stories and poems. The room is spacious and furnished. Dylan was born in this house. it was the best-kept room in the house, mostly reserved for visitors.
Nancy’s Room
The sewing machine in Nancy’s bedroom
Nancy was Dylan’s sister, eight years older than him. The room has two single beds and a typical built-in Edwardian wardrobe. The room also has a fireplace, Nancy’s homemade doll house and a sewing machine. She herself was an actress in the Swansea Little Theatre and initiated Dylan into acting as well.
Dylan’s Room
Dylan’s study table
Tiny, but the most fascinating room in the house, Dylan’s room is full of stories. Dylan said that the room was so small that one had to go out to turn around. The room has his table full of little things he loved– books, letters, sweets, Woodbine cigarettes and much more. The wall had pictures of his favourite writers. His coats and hats, as was customary for journalists back then, are hung on the wall as are some of his paintings.
The Parents’ Room
The view from the window of parents’ room
Situated at the back of the house, just above the kitchen, the parents’ room was a warm and cosy one. it was the warmest room in the house. Dylan spent a lot of time in the house and mentioned it in many of his works. The room directly overlooks Swansea Bay from its window, the only room with this view. The window would also show the town and industries of Swansea, which Dylan described as an ‘ugly, lovely town’.
Father’s Study
The typewriter in Father’s study
This room is perhaps the second-most important room in the house. Dylan came to this room since the age of four and his father made sure that he understood words. Dylan read all the modern and traditional books in the room and he ‘devoured’ all of it. at the age of 12 or 13, Dylan started writing for magazines. The room has a piano, a desk, and a typewriter which particularly caught Dylan’s fancy.
The Front Parlour
The grandfather clock
This was the room best kept for visitors and events like Christmas and birthdays. Dylan was, however, not much allowed in this house, but the room features in Dylan’s Christmas story — ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’. The walls are dark green as they were back the. it still has the original curtains, doors and the grandfather’s clock.
The Living Room
The ‘hub of the house’
This room was the ‘hub of the house’ where the family met every day and had their meals. It is adjacent to the kitchen. There is a dining table, a china cupboard, a comfortable armchair and a sewing machine for Mrs Thomas, who was earlier a seamstress. She would repair the clothes of her children and also the clothes of relatives.
The Kitchen
The fine crockery
Dylan’s mother cooked twice a day with the help of maids here. we can still find the deep sink, pots, pans and the finest crockery from back then. There was a coal fire for 24 hours a day and all the cooking was done on it. There is a little pantry in which a cold stone slab serves as a refrigerator to store the dairy products and the perishables.
The house has dozens of anecdotes to share. The well-furnished Edwardian house maintains its charm to date, thanks to Mr Haden. In further conversation, an excited Mr Haden urges everyone coming to Wales to visit Dylan Thomas’ House.
More information about the house can be found on their website. The house can be pre-booked for events and stays.
by Sucheta | Apr 30, 2024 | Swansea Today, SwanTV Top Stories, Uncategorized
On May 2, 2024, elections will be held in England and Wales for the positions of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC).
PCCs ensure that the community’s requirements are being met by the local police under their jurisdiction.
In Wales and England, there are 39 police districts that have a PCC. There is one commissioner for each area.
There are a bunch of duties for Police and Crime Commissioners. They:
Make sure the police force budget is spent effectively
Appoint the chief constables of the local police force
Engage with the public and victims of crime to help set police and crime plans
Work closely with the local council and other community organisations on these plans and projects
KNOW THE CANDIDATES
The following information about the candidates for this election will be accessible on the Choose My PCC website:
www.choosemypcc.org.uk
0300 1311323 is the phone number you can contact for any queries.
HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE
One ballot paper will be given to you. A list of PCC candidates will appear on the ballot paper. Voting for a single candidate will only be possible if you place a cross [X] in the box next to your selection. Whoever receives the most percentage of the vote wins.
Entering your postcode into our search will reveal the location of your neighbourhood voting place as well as the names of the people running for office there. Additionally, voting by proxy or by mail is an option.
Remember to carry your voting ID while going for voting.
by Sucheta | Apr 26, 2024 | Blog, Local Stories, Swansea Today, SwanTV Top Stories, Uncategorized
Thousands of people have already benefited from a new charitable effort that was introduced in Swansea last month, including young people transitioning out of foster care and families and individuals dealing with the challenge of rising living expenses.
Wales’s first multi-bank establishment, Cwtch Mawr, was created to give new surplus necessary items to people in need. Cwtch Mawr, which translates to “Big Hug” in English, is the first Multibank in Wales. It is a community donations hub that provides assistance to Swansea families who are struggling with poverty.
Driven by the Swansea nonprofit organisation Faith in Families, it has backing from Amazon as well as former UK prime minister Gordon Brown. In addition to helping to acquire the warehouse it uses for operations, Swansea Council is one of the original funding partners.
Cwtch Mawr has helped about 10,000 distinct people thus far. This comprises 124 individuals, 56 families, and 66 youth who receive direct support from Swansea Council.
Photo: Faith in Families website
Care leavers moving into their first homes are among those who have benefited thus far.
“I just moved into my new flat and had nothing,” one person stated. I can now use my money to personalise my home and have the necessary start-up things.”
Another said: “Cwtch Mawr provided extras that I wouldn’t have been able to afford, but I have access to help with my first home.” It’s difficult to leave behind the care and assistance that ends when you become eighteen.”
Donated by companies such as Amazon, the excess necessities offered comprise school uniforms, warm clothing, toiletries, and bedding.
The brand-new, never-used items are donated to nonprofit organisations and carers who then provide them to those in need when they need them.
Swansea cabinet members went to the warehouse this week to check on its progress as it continues to expand.
“We have heard stories from care leavers who have been supported into their new homes,” council leader Rob Stewart stated.
“A young person who has received new clothes to wear both inside and outside of school has expressed their sincere gratitude for the positive impact it has had on their wellness and self-esteem.
“A further instance involves a man who, for the first time in his memory, has a coat.
“While many people take these items for granted, many others find them to be costly or simply out of reach during the current crisis in the cost of living.
“I’m incredibly happy that Swansea Council was among the first financing partners to recognise the potential for our city to host Wales’s first multi-bank.
“The aim is to donate more than 300,000 surplus essential goods to 40,000 families in poverty this year and Cwtch Mawr is on track to achieve this.”
Gordon Brown and Amazon co-founded the third multibank in the United Kingdom, Cwtch Mawr. A second Multibank location opened in Wigan, Greater Manchester, in 2023, after the first one in Fife, Scotland, debuted in 2022.
by Shaurya | Apr 22, 2024 | Local Stories, Swansea Today, SwanTV, SwanTV Local Events
Each week a group of over a hundred seniors meet near the Waterfront Museum for a walk, cuppa and chat; an activity many say helps them stay mentally and physically fit.
Swansea Marina Social Walk is a weekly walk organised by the Swansea Council and the charity, Action for Elders.
“I was suffering from depression, so it’s a very good thing to come here and I recommend it to everyone,” says 70-year-old, Mr Howard Williams. “I’ve been able to make new friends, and, uh, it’s benefited me both health-wise, and especially mentally, because other friends have suffered with different things, and we help each other.”
It was started after the Covid-19 pandemic as a means to help people come together after a long period of isolation.
Action for Elders Operations Manager Myles Lewis told Swan TV that while the walk originally started with six members, their group has now grown to 120 members.
“I think it’s it’s such a simple idea, doing a walk but I see the smiles on people’s faces a lot of whom are widows who have lost partners, have no friends or isolated in the house,” he says. “So, I think it makes them look forward to a day of the week where they can come out, exercise, meet friends again, and have a tea or a coffee.”
However, Mr Lewis believes that the walk alone is not the best part of the activity for elders.
“I think the walk is obviously great and when you’re around the marina you can go along the beach but actually, I find that the actual tea and coffee after is the most important aspect,” Myles adds. “Because again, that’s how we can tackle loneliness is people making friendships within the group where they can exchange numbers and contact each other outside the group.”
Mr, Williams, who has been coming to these walks for over a year and a half says that the friends he made in the group, not only helped him combat depression but also saved him money.
“One garage quoted me a hundred and twenty pounds to take care of my car and one of my friends sent me to another garage and they then did the full job for 35,” he says. “I also advise others on gardening, painting and everything and we all help each other if we’ve got a problem.”
Each member can avail a free cup of coffee or tea after their walk.
Mr Lewis, who co-ordinates the walks, says though his job is challenging, he is driven towards it because he can see the change it brings to the members’ health.
“Split the walk into three lengths with the short walk being our shortest walk at only a mile long,” he says. “And we find people are not capable of doing that short walk, but when they do it consistently from week to week, they’re expanding their, lungs and getting more active and pushing themselves and some of them move on to the medium and even the long walk.”
Mr Williams, now a diligent member of the group, says that he saw a positive change in his physical health after coming to the walks.
“The amount of obesity in Swansea is absolutely ridiculous. I was putting on weight myself and it was making me ill,” he says. “There’s a shortage of beds in the NHS because of obesity so I recommend everybody get exercise.”
“After all, you would not want to carry 100 pounds of weight and not be paid for it. Yet, you’re doing it with your own body,” he adds.
Though it may seem intimidating to join a large group, Mr Lewis assures prospective new members that they can join anytime they want.
“We’re all friendly and we’re all welcoming,” says Mr Lewis, “ If you feel a bit anxious, because I understand coming to a group of about a hundred people you might feel a bit anxious — make yourself known to one of us and we’ll make you feel welcome and introduce you to some people.”
by Sucheta | Apr 20, 2024 | Blog, Swansea Today, Uncategorized
BTEC students from Rubicon Dance showcased a small dance performance titled ‘ONCE UPON A 2024’ at the Volcano Theatre on 18th April 2024 as a part of the upcoming The Shape of Things to Come 2024.
‘Once Upon a 2024’, a beautiful dance reflection throwing light on the growing cost of living crisis, was choreographed by Marianne Tuckman and directed by Deborah Ford, BTEC course leader. The musical dance performance had the sound mastering done by Ariel Schlichter.
Marianne Tuckman and Deborah Ford
The short dance performance depicted the lives of six girls— played by Laura Gilchrist (19), Mia Da Silva (20), Seren Vodden (18), Madeleine Orwin (19), Taleigh Vodden(17), and Mia John (20)— who are on the verge of leaving their houses this September to different cities and have to deal with managing the rising cost of living.
From the left: Laura, Mia da Silva, Seren, Maddie, Taleigh, Mia John
A still from the dance performance.
The preparation for the performance was very ‘intense’ says Marrianne, as the girls had just 2 weeks to prepare for the dance from scratch. Meanwhile, Deborah remarked that it was a ‘new’ and ‘rewarding experience’ for the girls to present a multidisciplinary art form, involving text and acting in addition to their dancing.
The dance was a reimagination of the popular fairytale ‘The Little Mermaid’ by Hans Christian Anderson. The dance was set on a stormy night during the raging housing crisis and depicted the resilience of the girls in challenging circumstances.
“And if it gets too damp to dance, no worries. We’ll swim from here (Ancient Proverb, dated 2024)!”
The short yet impactful performance ended with a monologue penned down by Mia John. The text of the monologue read:
Dear Me (in 10 years),
I don’t expect you to have it all figured out.
I don’t expect you to understand why some people have no money
while others have too much,
Or why this family of 3 live in a 5 bedroom house with a bathroom
each, and this family of 5 live in a 2 bedroom house and all share the
same shower.
But maybe, you have moved on from what’s hurt you. And your
dreams are less far away than you once thought.
I don’t expect you to have solved world hunger, but hopefully you’re
earning some money, and putting food on the table for someone you
love.
I hope that table is in a house of your own, covered in colours and
warmth, without a hint of cold or damp.
1 hope you can afford to keep dreaming. Dream of the muddy paw
prints left on your extra large Queen size bed – the one you’ve always
wanted. Hope that you toilet trained your dogs before letting them
come upstairs.
Your life has only just begun- Look after yourself as you would the
little girl bubbling deep inside of you. Do everything she needs from
you.
Lots of love,
Mia
We talked to the girls after the performance. They all currently live with their families in Cardiff but will soon be moving out. Mia John said that she is ‘nervous and excited’ about her upcoming university experience. “You can use dance to express most of the things,” said Seren. Mia da Silva added that topics like the housing crisis are “something very relevant and a lot of people can relate to it.”
This summer, the Volcano Theatre is open for informal afternoon gatherings, offering tea and cakes before a stellar lineup of performances. The event was free to attend but accepted donations which went to the Rubicon Dance group.
You can follow them on Instagram: Rubicon Dance and Marianne Tuckman.
Applications for admission to the Rubicon Dance is open until 26th April 2024.
The Volcano Theatre in Swansea gives space for small-scale commissions to freelancers since 2022. The theatre provides room for short performances that ‘look toward the future in some way’ and makes imaginative use of spaces in its ‘cavernous building’. The aim is to make up for the lack of opportunities for freelancers and also give the audience a space for planning a big night out in the wake of the cost of living crisis.
by Shaurya | Apr 20, 2024 | Local Stories, Swansea Today, SwanTV Top Stories
Over a dozen schools will benefit the most from a £3.8m joint investment by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government for essential maintenance and building upgrades in the city over the next year.
The council has approved the major programme of the works meaning that around £1.7m will be directed to these schools for repairing roofs, electrical upgrades, and other improvements.
Cabinet Member for Education and Learning Robert Smith said, “As a council, we recognise just how important education is not just to pupils, parents and staff but also to our city’s future economic well-being.”
“The maintenance and repairs programme is in addition to the record £150m investment in new and improved school facilities in Swansea under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme,” he added.
More than a dozen Swansea schools will benefit the most from this investment. (Picture for representation purposes)
The council’s toilet strategy is also set to receive £50,000 in addition to the £100,000 that was provided last year to maintain and upgrade the council’s network of public toilets.
Leader of the Council Rob Stewart said, “Despite less funding being available from the Government for this kind of work for the year ahead, we are once again investing significant sums on essential maintenance improvements for our schools and public buildings.”
Additionally, £600,000 has been set aside for emergencies and to maintain listed buildings including war memorials that the council has pledged to maintain on behalf of veterans.
Another £50,000 has also been earmarked for the council’s toilet strategy on top of £100,000 last year to maintain and upgrade the council’s network of public toilets.
“Our capital maintenance budget spending demonstrates how the council’s priorities match those of the people of Swansea and, at the same time, help make inroads into the backlog of maintenance improvements our schools and public buildings need,” the leader of the council added.
