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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Poet's restored birthplace opens | Poet's restored birthplace opens |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| The restoration of Dylan Thomas's birthplace has been completed on what would have been the poet's 94th birthday. | The restoration of Dylan Thomas's birthplace has been completed on what would have been the poet's 94th birthday. |
| Thomas was born at Number 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, an Edwardian terraced-house overlooking the sea. | Thomas was born at Number 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, an Edwardian terraced-house overlooking the sea. |
| A city businessman and his wife have spent three years restoring the former student bedsits to how the house would have looked when Thomas lived there. | A city businessman and his wife have spent three years restoring the former student bedsits to how the house would have looked when Thomas lived there. |
| They plan to host literary events and rent the house to holidaymakers. | They plan to host literary events and rent the house to holidaymakers. |
| Many people think of the picturesque Boat House at Laugharne in Carmarthenshire as the place which inspired Thomas until his early death, at the age of 39, on a speaking tour in the US. | Many people think of the picturesque Boat House at Laugharne in Carmarthenshire as the place which inspired Thomas until his early death, at the age of 39, on a speaking tour in the US. |
| But Geoff Haden, the man behind the refurbishment of the house at Cwmdonkin Drive, said much of Thomas' writing was in fact nurtured there. | But Geoff Haden, the man behind the refurbishment of the house at Cwmdonkin Drive, said much of Thomas' writing was in fact nurtured there. |
| From the front the house looks much the same | |
| "It's the place where the finest poet of the 20th Century lived for 20 odd years of his very short life and wrote two thirds of his output," he said. | "It's the place where the finest poet of the 20th Century lived for 20 odd years of his very short life and wrote two thirds of his output," he said. |
| Thomas was born in October 1914 just a few months after his parents David and Florence Thomas, and his elder sister Nancy, moved in to Cwmdonkin Drive. | Thomas was born in October 1914 just a few months after his parents David and Florence Thomas, and his elder sister Nancy, moved in to Cwmdonkin Drive. |
| As a boy, Thomas would look out of his bedroom window at the sweep of Swansea Bay and play in the nearby Cwmdonkin Park. | As a boy, Thomas would look out of his bedroom window at the sweep of Swansea Bay and play in the nearby Cwmdonkin Park. |
| "It was in his formative years that he wrote everything that was eventually published because he regurgitated in later life, so this is where it all started," said Mr Haden. | "It was in his formative years that he wrote everything that was eventually published because he regurgitated in later life, so this is where it all started," said Mr Haden. |
| He and his wife Anne have spent a labour of love restoring the house which had been used as bedsit accommodation. | He and his wife Anne have spent a labour of love restoring the house which had been used as bedsit accommodation. |
| Phonogram | Phonogram |
| "I think I saw the house first in 2003," said Mr Haden. | "I think I saw the house first in 2003," said Mr Haden. |
| "It was like a very sad student bedsit and I thought is this how we should be treating the most famous son of Swansea? | "It was like a very sad student bedsit and I thought is this how we should be treating the most famous son of Swansea? |
| "A year or so later the opportunity to acquire the lease of the property came up." | "A year or so later the opportunity to acquire the lease of the property came up." |
| The couple have faithfully had restored the Edwardian décor and furniture, the phonogram in the front room, even the cast iron toilet upstairs. | The couple have faithfully had restored the Edwardian décor and furniture, the phonogram in the front room, even the cast iron toilet upstairs. |
| Anne Haden explained they have even banned modern screws which would not have been around at the time Thomas was growing up in the house. | Anne Haden explained they have even banned modern screws which would not have been around at the time Thomas was growing up in the house. |
| The house has been given complete 1914 decor | The house has been given complete 1914 decor |
| The house will now be available as self catering accommodation. Guests will even receive a 1914 newspaper. | The house will now be available as self catering accommodation. Guests will even receive a 1914 newspaper. |
| "When we let it we will be letting it as a 1914 house.so that when you come in here on 3 December 2008, it will be the 3 December 1914. | "When we let it we will be letting it as a 1914 house.so that when you come in here on 3 December 2008, it will be the 3 December 1914. |
| "There'll be no television, no radio, no phones." | "There'll be no television, no radio, no phones." |
| Thomas's daughter Aeronwy will be at the house to mark the official restoration but some people have already had a preview. | Thomas's daughter Aeronwy will be at the house to mark the official restoration but some people have already had a preview. |
| Incredibly significant | Incredibly significant |
| Jo Furber from the Dylan Thomas Centre, who lived in this house herself for three years, said: | Jo Furber from the Dylan Thomas Centre, who lived in this house herself for three years, said: |
| "Thousands and thousands come to Swansea because they love Dylan Thomas' work and they want to know where he came from, what formed him as a write. | "Thousands and thousands come to Swansea because they love Dylan Thomas' work and they want to know where he came from, what formed him as a write. |
| "After he left he was still writing about Swansea, still looking back to childhood so it's incredibly significant." | "After he left he was still writing about Swansea, still looking back to childhood so it's incredibly significant." |
| Actor Peter Read was among those who used to hold writing classes and reading groups there. | Actor Peter Read was among those who used to hold writing classes and reading groups there. |
| "It's a very strange experience to be in the place where he lived and has breakfast and shaved and bathed and so on," he said. | "It's a very strange experience to be in the place where he lived and has breakfast and shaved and bathed and so on," he said. |
| "It's a very powerful feeling that his spirit is there." | "It's a very powerful feeling that his spirit is there." |
| Dylan Thomas' house has a superb view of Swansea Bay |