MOVE over Obama! The replica of Dylan Thomas’s iconic writing shed is vying for pride of place at the NATO summit.
The pop-up shed, which has been touring the country as part of the DT100 celebrations, is visiting the prestigious event at the Celtic Manor.
The bespoke replica, complete with curled pictures on the walls, boiled sweets on the desk and the poet’s jacket still hanging on the back of his chair – is on tour as part of the year-long festival commemorating the centenary of the great Welsh writer’s birth.
The original shed sits above the Boathouse in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, where Thomas lived with his wife Caitlin and three children, and where he penned some of his most famous works including Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night and Under Milk Wood.
The Boathouse and the replica shed are owned by Carmarthenshire County Council’s cultural services division.
Principal Arts Officer Eleri Retallick is with the shed at the summit. Ms Retallick said: “It is really exciting being here and being part of this world famous event.
“I am proud to be representing Carmarthenshire and promoting the Dylan Thomas Boathouse, Laugharne and the county as a whole to the world leaders.
“I hope to welcome many of them into the shed and also invite them to visit the real thing in Laugharne.
“I am particularly keen to get Barak Obama to pay us a visit, it would be a huge honour for us and a tribute to the many American fans of Dylan Thomas.”
Carmarthenshire’s cultural services executive board member Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Dylan Thomas and the Boathouse attracts around 25,000 visitors to Laugharne every year, the touring shed is raising even more awareness of this iconic attraction, and will encourage even more people to visit.
“To be at such a prestigious event as the NATO summit and be seen by the eyes of the world is a real boost for tourism in Carmarthenshire.”
• To find out where the shed is going next or for more information on DT100 or the Boathouse visit www.dylanthomasboathouse.com.
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