Irma Chilton facts for kids

Irma Chilton (born Mair Elizabeth Irma Evans, 12 November 1930 – 1990) was a famous Welsh writer. She wrote many exciting books for children. She wrote in both English and Welsh.

Irma Chilton won important awards for her stories. One was the Tir na n-Og Award. This prize is given by the Welsh Books Council. She also won special prizes at Welsh festivals called eisteddfods.

Irma Chilton's Early Life

Irma Evans was born on November 12, 1930. Her hometown was Loughor in Glamorgan, Wales. This area is near the border of Carmarthen.

Her father, Iorworth Evans, worked as a furnaceman. Her mother was Esther Jane Muxworthy Evans. Irma went to the University of Wales. She earned her bachelor's degree there in 1951.

Becoming a Writer

Before becoming a full-time writer, Irma Chilton was a teacher. She loved to create stories for young readers.

Her very first book came out in 1967. It was called Take Away The Flowers & Fuller's World. This book actually had two science fiction stories inside! Both stories were about a pilot named Tom Davies.

Irma Chilton wrote many books for children. She wrote them in both English and Welsh. She even won prizes at eisteddfod festivals for her writing.

Popular Books by Irma Chilton

Some of her well-known books include:

• String of Time (1968): This was a time-travel story. It was later re-released as Nightmare in 1972.
• Goldie (1969): This book was about a space creature. It looked like a calf and landed on a farm in England.
• The Time Button (1970)
• Strangers Up the Lane (1971)
• Rhwng cwsg ac effro (1975)
• The Magic Cauldron and Other Folktales (1976)
• A Spray of Leaves (1977)
• The Witch (1979)
• The Prize (1983)
• Y Wobr (1984)
• Y Peiriant Amser (1986): This story was about children who travel through time.

In 1989, Irma Chilton won a special award. She received the Crown for prose at the National Eisteddfod. This event took place in Llanrwst. Her winning work was called Mochyn Gwydr [cy].

Family and Legacy

Irma Evans married a chemist named Harry Chilton. They had two children together. Their names were Dafydd and Rhiannon.

Irma Chilton passed away in 1990 when she was 59 years old. Even after her death, her work is remembered. The Welsh Arts Council gives out an award in her name. It's called the Irma Chilton Bursary. This yearly prize helps new children's novelists. One winner of this award was Jennifer Sullivan.

Irma's son, Dafydd Chilton, also became a writer. He wrote fiction for young readers too.