A DYLAN Thomas inspired writing shed was officially launched at Sully Primary School last week.

The shed was entirely funded by the PTA and was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by nine-year-old Christian Morton, a prize winner in BBC Radio 2’s Children’s Story Writing Competition.

Swansea schoolboy Christian’s story, Stone-Age Steve and the Dragon, was read out by former Monty Python Michael Palin live on Chris Evans’s Breakfast Show, with the recording played at Sully Primary School in front of a packed assembly.

Christian, who won his height in books after coming third in the competition from over 90,000 entries, was joined at the official opening by writer John Bilsborough, singer songwriter Lorraine King, curator Anne Haden, and local authors Cathy Farr and Michelle Briscombe.

Throughout the school’s Literature Day on Thursday, October 17, pupils enjoyed workshops from local authors, poets, play-write’s and singer songwriter’s. It is hoped that the writing shed will be a quiet place to inspire youngsters to write stories, poems, plays and songs. The writing shed is also full of a range of unique items, including pictures, paintings and a gas lamp, to inspire children in their writing.

The school has appealed for parents to donate items to the writing shed.

Laura Sheldon, who came up with the idea when she was teaching her class about Dylan Thomas’s work last year, said: “When I showed them a copy of the writing shed in Laugharne they were really enthused and we all agreed it would be lovely to have a quiet and inspirational place to write.”

She added: “It shows the importance we place on writing.

“It also gives them some connection to a famous Welsh writer and is something that they could aspire to.”

Penarth Town Mayor Cllr Neil Thomas, who used to teach creative writing at St Cyres School, said he thought the writing shed was a “brilliant idea”.

“If you have got children writing and expressing themselves its one of the best gifts you can give to children,” he said.

“Learning to read and a love of books, and on top of that writing your own stories, is very important.”

He added: “Both Dylan Thomas and Roald Dahl started in writing sheds at the bottom of their gardens.”

During the day 10-year-old Amelia Brenan also won the competition to design the top of a cake, which she made with the help of her mum, to mark the official opening of the writing shed.

“I’m really happy as it took me quite a long time to make it,” she said.