A fundraising campaign has been launched for a writing centre in Wales that is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In April 1990, Ty Newydd writing centre in Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, opened its doors to its first poetry course, tutored by poets Gillian Clarke and Robert Minhinnick. Since then hundreds of adults and young people have visited it each year to take part in residential creative writing courses and retreats.

The Celebrating 25 Years fundraising campaign, entitled £25/25, launched by Literature Wales at Ty Newydd, asks people to donate £25 - just £1 for each year the centre has been open. Donations will help to fund educational and extra-curricular activity for schools and youth groups; community outreach work; bursaries for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to attend courses at Ty Newydd; and conservation work to safeguard the future of the historical and culturally significant Grade II* listed property. Ty Newydd was built in the 16th century, and was the last home of prime minister David Lloyd George, who commissioned the architect of Portmeirion, Clough Williams-Ellis, to adapt it to his tastes.

The chief executive of Literature Wales, Lleucu Siencyn, said: “It is the people who make Ty Newydd what it is; the writers, readers, tutors and school groups who have visited over the last 25 years. Your support will help to secure the future of this remarkable place and continue to allow people of all ages and abilities to benefit from the unique experience of visiting Ty Newydd, the home of literature in Wales.”

Literature Wales has also announced that a new poetry masterclass tutored by the national poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, and the poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, will take place this autumn. Carol Ann Duffy said: "Ty Newydd is very close to my heart; a house of poetry, good fellowship, laughter and contemplation to which I always return."

Gillian Clarke, reflected on that first course , said: “We were putting the final touches to the house, decking the great oak table with flowers and candles, as the first poets came up the drive… It was my dream to open a house of words, somewhere which belonged to all writers, experienced or not... That week, and all weeks since, we have made magic.”

Ty Newydd runs an annual programme of residential creative writing courses for adults of all ages and abilities, and school groups. You can find details of how to donate to the £25/25 campaign here