NEW QUAY FINALLY TO UNLOCK THE MYSTERY OF "LLAREGGUB"           

The BBC radio broadcast "Quite Early One Morning" was written by Dylan when he was living at Majoda in December 1944, but not broadcast until August 1945. In it  Dylan describes the"cliff perched Town at the far end of Wales" and  includes brief pen portraits of certain of the Town's characters and their houses whilst describing the "big seas of their dreams". It is as if  Dylan has provided us with a walk through narration of "Llareggub", in what today would be identified as a "trailer" prior to the main event which was to become "Under Milk Wood". This trial run for "Under Milk Wood" was to prove a success for Dylan's radio work, and it is now universally accepted as the forerunner of his famous "play for voices".This single fact should perhaps be best emphasised when linking the origins of "Llareggub" to New Quay.The Dylan Thomas Trail at New Quay provides further examples of the Town's influence.David N Thomas provides an in depth analysis in support of New Quay's importance in the development of "Under Milk Wood" in his book "A Farm, Two Mansions, and a Bungalow".                                                                                  

Dylan made a start on his most famous work during his time at Majoda. The topography of Llareggub, the town that lies under Milk Wood, is based on New Quay. So are many of the play's characters: Willy Nilly, Tom-Fred, Cherry Owen, Captain Cat and Polly Garter, for instance were inspired by real New Quay people, who are still remembered in the town today. The river Dewi, much loved by Llareggub's Eli Jenkins, flows into the sea at Cwmtudu, just outside New Quay. Manchester House today sells fishing tackle, but in Dylan's time it was a draper's shop, just like in Llareggub.Dylan completed most of the first half of the play in Oxfordshire in 1947/48. He then wrote most of the second half in America in April and May 1953.                           
You might ask why has New Quay not previously promoted its connection, as has for instance Laugharne? Dylan's stay at New Quay did cause local scandal and some discontent amongst the Town's inhabitants.There were issues surrounding debts which Dylan owed tradespeople. No doubt there existed some rejection of what some probably saw as the bohemian lifestyles involved.The shooting incident at Majoda caused a scandal which reverberated across the entire County, following its reporting in the national press.

It must also be remembered that when "Under Milk Wood" was first broadcast some considered it scandalous, and very racey for its time.It was actually banned altogether for a time in Cardiff.

  
Time passes.

For too long the influence of New Quay in the development of "Under Milk Wood" has been either denied, under-estimated, or simply ignored. New Quay has now emerged to take it's rightful place in the recognition of the Town's literary heritage in respect of the works of perhaps the greatest poet of the twentieth century.

It has been a long time coming. Time has indeed passed, and Times have changed. 

We invite you to come and visit us, and for you to make up your own minds.