I went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. Map. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. FREE membership. Tehachapi, CA, US. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. This was on the 2nd floor. There were two phases in the building janice gale from dreghorn scotlandI was 13 when summerland went on fire i still remember that night clearly my mum and i had told my dad that we were going to summerland while he went to the villa marine to watch wrestling but just before the bus stopped we changed our mind and went to white city we had just got into white city when we were told summerland was on fire we had to walk all the way round onchan to get back to the prom its a scene you will never forget seeing people jumping into the sea to get away from the flames even when we came home on the boat your were reminded again as we had to wait until all the coffins were taken of first as a mark of respect. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. We saw the fire take hold and like many others my parents were shocked and crying at the horror of the tragic loss of life. At the time Summerland was one of the most. xx. The Majestic. With the building also suffering from concrete cancer, the remainder of the site closed in 2004, and demolition began in January 2006. I remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man. Seconds later the light grew to a flame a few feet high, then within no time at all there were large flames extending the whole height of the side of the building I was frozen in shock watching what was kicking off. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. Summerland Fire Memorial - Douglas, Isle of Man in Disaster Memorials Posted by: Mike_bjm N 54 10.005 W 004 27.799 30U E 404467 N 6003063 Quick Description: The Summerland Fire Memorial is in the Kaye Memorial Gardens on King Edward Road Rushen in Douglas. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. When we noticed the black smoke to one end of the building - and the crowds looking in that direction - we started to move towards the exit. 1. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Tehachapi, CA, US. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. For me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. jilliani loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, WAYNE FORDHI, I PLAYED THE SUMMERLAND DISCO WITH MY BAND 'ROCOCO' THE YEAR BEFORE THE FIRE,I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS 'ROCOCO' I HAVE SOME VERY FOND MEMORIES OF MY TIME THERE, I HAVE VISITED THE ISLAND ONCE SINCE THEN,QUITE BY CHANCE IT WAS THE YEAR BEFORE THE DEMOLITION TOOK PLACE,BUT I SUPPOSE I COULD SAY GOODBYE. It was a tragedy but the happy memories as a child are still vivid even in my late 40's.My thoughts are with those who lost someone dear xx. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. We never knew if she saved our lives. Summerlands bed and breakfast (B&B) is a charming and unique house in Ramsey, which has recently been refurbished throughout to a very high standard. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Isle of Man: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399644 at the best online prices at eBay! Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Opened with much fanfare a little more than two years earlier on 25 May 1971, the 2m climate-controlled building boasted restaurants and bars, an indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, a children's theatre and an underground disco. My uncle saw someone he knew from our home town (Widnes) whose hotel was closer than ours, and he was able to phone family at home to say we were OK just as the story was coming on the news.We were all OK, apart from my uncle's cracked ribs from charging at the fire door, but the horror of the evening is still with me such that even lighting a candle is something I struggle to do and I always check out fire exits when I'm somewhere new. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. At the time Summerland was one of the most. Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. people screaming and trying to escape, one boy broke a window with a microphone stand. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. The Summerland disaster is the worst day in Manx history and remains the third worst loss of life from fire on land in the British Isles since World War Two. It wasn't until we were on the promenade at a safe distance that I looked back to see the building completely engulfed in flames. "Services weren't equipped for Summerland disaster", "Article about the disaster based on the report by Dr Ian Philips", "Remembering the Summerland fire disaster, 40 years on", "Isle of Man 'shame' over Summerland fire disaster", "Remembering The Summerland Disaster 40 Years On", "Asbestos information centretrade names", "Summerland fire survivor: 'I don't blame dad for saving my sister and leaving me in blaze but I never got to tell him', "Summerland fire: Fifty victims remembered on anniversary", "Summerland disaster survivor: 'I still dream of people in flames', "THE SUMMERLAND SITE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY", "Summerland fire memorial built to mark 40th anniversary", "Summerland fire victims remembered on 40th anniversary", 1972 amateur film of pre-disaster Summerland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Summerland_disaster&oldid=1142829611, Fire disasters involving barricaded escape routes, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 16:12. Douglas Corporation, aided by grants from the Isle of Man Government, spent 1.5 million on the building and more cash was provided by The International Trust House Forte group who had taken Summerland LTD on as a subsidiary. fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. It was an example of Modernist architecture incorporating advanced controlled internal climate, built with novel construction techniques using new plastic materials. I've not lived on the Island for 10 years, but I have the memories of the great times I had & will never forget Summerland, even know my time spent there was in the 90's, quite a long time following the 1973 Disaster. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. Much thought was given to bringing a sunshine-feel to the building. I dont remember the initial Summerlands complex, but I was in Summerlands in the mid 80's; after it was rebuilt and reopened in 1978; I was therer on annual camp with the scouts, that was the year I joined the scouts and that was the reason i joined, the trip to the Isle of Man.What a great time I had there using the swimming pool. There's not much left of the place. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. 3. ws firemen in orange coats looking at building. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. We would spend alot of time up there because of the pool and because they could keep and eye on us and have a drink at the same time. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. Experts searching the wreckage. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. When we finally reached the bottom the firemen were there to guide us out and just as we got outside, the whole place was engulfed by fire. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. Add Your Event View All 04 March Saturday Manx Amateur Drama Federation Coffee Morning View 10:00 - 12:00 Current Weather 9 4 03 March Friday 8 4 It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. on the night of the summerland fire,my wife and mother and father inlaw (in there late seventies) plus myself with a wife who was expecting a child,were due to have a drink in the top bar as a fairwell to there holls before returning to liverpool next day, due to a strange event my wife hair rollers broke down so delaying by half an hour our departure.we stoped at the laxey filling station only to be told the complex was on fire!! Lomas wanted to create the illusion of being outside and to this end he planned to cover exposed cliff faces with tropical plants while allowing wild birds to live and fly throughout the building. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. The water in the pool was lovely and hot and we used to go out and stand in a cold shower and the cold foot bath then dive into the pool to get that even warmer feeling. Locations. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. I was 7 and on holiday with family,that inluded aunts,uncles and cousins.A lot of us had been holdaying in Douglas that week and we spent a lot of time in Summerland.It was a great place to spend the day.It had all the ammenities ,everything you wanted was there,a funfare ,indoor heated swimming pool,indoor amusement arcade.It had bars,a disco's everything.On the night of the fire, we just finished our evening meal in our hotel and we began walking up Douglas promenade ,going towards Summerland,when we noticed smoke billowing up from behind the building,the next instant the entire building was engulfed in flames.I remember seeing people pouring out of the building,some were on fire,it was horrific.We were standing some distance away and I could not take my eyes off it.The explosions from the burning building boomed across Douglas bay.I had never seen so many injured people before and it is something that I wll never forget.The following morning we all cut our holiday short and returned home,as the ferry was leaving Douglas we all stood on the boat deck ,staring at the burnt out shell of Summerland.Have never been back to IOM since that terrible fire. County: . 5. vs burned out building. To experience Summerland at that time was special and afterall, what has the Government ever done since to improve our quality of life here in the IOM. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. A report commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor in 1973 stated that the blaze was the worst peacetime fire disaster in the British Isles since 1929. last updated: 04/04/2008 at 15:38created: 03/04/2008. We stayed for a week and on all of the 4 nights preceding the evening of the disaster I had been to the complex for a swim and play around with new-found friends. The fire spread to the wall's interior soundproofing material, which was highly combustible, causing an intense fire that ignited the flammable acrylic sheeting that covered the rest of the building. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. Mountain retreat in Southern California. StuartI was 9 at the time of the Summerland fire and on holiday with my Mum and Dad staying at the Granada Hotel as we always did then. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. The Isle of Man [1] ( Manx: Ellan Vannin) is an island in the British Isles, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. The site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and The venue attracted thousands of people to the. Location: Isle of Man Date Posted: 4/5/2017 2:49:35 PM Waymark Code: WMVDNA Bob EmeryWhen Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. i remembr 1968-69 , I worked at White City on the Isle of Man , they were the eight best years of my life. The Manx Development Corporation is part of the strategy for realizing economic, social and environmental benefits through enabling full utilization of government owned land and property assets and acting as a catalyst for regeneration and repurposing of urban and brownfield sites. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. Demolition of the site from Oct 2005. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. Its charred steel skeletal remains were demolished in 1975 and then rebuilt on a smaller scale, construction commencing in 1976, with a smaller area of glass than the original, and a highly advanced fire extinguisher and alarm system. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. BBC Isle of Man, Broadcasting House, Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1SW, I was 16 at the time of the fire, like many teeagers in Douglas we spent most of our evenings and many a wet day at Summerland.We could occasionally get served in the bars and if not we roller skated on the big rink downstairs.The night of the fire we had left Summerland to go to the stock cars at Onchan stadium, we got as far as the Catholic church in Oncan park when we saw a thin column of black smoke and people began to gather at the cliff top overlooking the site.We ran across the golf course watching the smoke grow, by the time we reached the cliff, half of the seaward wall of Summerland was blazing with a thick sheet of jet black smoke rising hundreds of feet.From our viewpoint we watched the fire spread over the huge oroglas canopy and saw thousands of people pouring out of the doors.When the events of 9/11 were shown on tv it reminded me of Douglas prom that night, teeming with shocked people and emergency vehicles flying up and down.We ended up in the Granada hotel trying to phone our parents to tell them we were ok but the phones were busy.The next morning the whole town stank of burnt plastic and vans instead of ambulannces ferried the dead to a makeshift mortuary.I didn't loose anyone and I dont have nightmares, but it was a dark part of my childhood and a memory that is still often in my thoughts. The plans took years to finalise. I was 5 at the time. It was indeed quite glamorous and I know for a fact my mum and dad spent more than a few romantic evenings there, (We kids got packed off to our grandparents house!) My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. Having met with Mr Gawne MHK to discuss my proposal for a commemorative space prior to his unsuccessful re-election, then continued with Ray Harmer MHK the newly . Nicole SmithThe queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. Location Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Geographic coordinates 54 15 N, 4 30 W Map references Europe Area total: 572 sq km land: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km country comparison to the world: 193 Area - comparative slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries total: 0 km Coastline [13] The inscription on the 1998 disaster memorial did not give a death toll; its 2013 replacement lists all 50 names. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. JacquiI remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Overview. Re: Isle of Man Summerland Fire Yes I remember the fire I was 10 years of age and on holiday with my family. My Mum persuaded me not to stay any longer in the childrens' play area in the basement, so we returned to the gallery area overlooking the stage/dancefloor to join my brother and uncle. Those were the days. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. The water in the pool was lovely and hot and we used to go out and stand in a cold shower and the cold foot bath then dive into the pool to get that even warmer feeling. It bears the names of those killed in the fire and is set into a circle of paving, alongside a stone laid earlier to mark the 25th anniversary. The Isle of Man is located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea, Isle of Man to the east, Northern Ireland to the west, Scotland (closest) to the north and Republic of Ireland to the southwest. Bit by bit over the years things would start to disappear, until by the end there was only "Manxland" left, my son really enjoyed palying there with all his cousins & it was a great place for Mums to meet on a Saturday & have a coffee while the kids played, we did that for a lot of years. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. dotty kiddI was 17 and was working there at the time of the fire, it was total panic, the fire spread so fast and no body could get out due to the doors being locked, I managed to get my friend away safely but with all the panic going on around I ended up in a daze, I dont know how I got out but remember someone pulling me, I got out befor the first explosion went off. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. [19][20], On other anniversaries of the disaster many memorials take place, such as a memorial concert and a moment of silence at the location which is now a vacant site. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) xx. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. VillaGaiety is the Isle of Man's premier ENTERTAINMENT venue. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. We saw the fire take hold and like many others my parents were shocked and crying at the horror of the tragic loss of life. This button displays the currently selected search type. I remember seeing below us musicians from the group who had been on stage swimming across the learner pool, one of them with his guitar. The acrylic material melted, allowing more oxygen to enter, and dropping burning molten material, both starting other fires and injuring those trying to escape. In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. Now it's completely gone & it is a shame but they will hopefully put something back there for the manx & visitors to enjoy & make their amemories last a lifetime too. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). There is also significant attic. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. Just then I distinctly remember seeing a small flicker of light at the base of the building on the West side thinking it was someone with a torch or something, as it was getting dusky. Experts into wreckage of building 4. Although I remember when the fire happened (as a relative was working there that evening and thankfully survived), my happy memories are also quite vivid as I used to go there many times, especially during school holidays. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. The burnt out remains of the centre in September 1973, one month after the fire. The survivor and her mother were separated from her father and sister and stuck in the venue before being rescued through a window by firemen. 1. Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. A period semi-detached double fronted town house built circa 1864, set along a quiet cul-de-sac, yet within easy walking distance of the shops and cafes of Parliament Street. These proposals will necessitate significant investment but will enable us to rectify core issues that have compromised the integrity of the building in recent years, such . It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. I've got used to passing the site & it not being there but from the boat, going in either direction it's still not the same. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. To experience Summerland at that time was special and afterall, what has the Government ever done since to improve our quality of life here in the IOM. The fire exits - clear glass ones, all in a row - were locked which I guessed afterwards was to prevent people paying for access to one area and then going to the other as well. The Summerland disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man on the night of 2 August 1973. "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". Two years after its completion in 1971 the high tech promenade venue was the scene of devastation after a fire ripped through the building killing 50 people. Those were the days. The 3.5 acre Summerland resort, claiming to be the biggest and most innovative indoor entertainment centre in the world, was hailed by the British Tourist Authority as An outstanding tourist enterprise. Summerland was rebuilt, but staff and visitors to the site reported the sounds of screaming, hearing footsteps along empty passages, and occasionally seeing ghostly people wandering around the area. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. carol burnsI survived that terrible disaster. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 'We are keenly aware that the Castle Mona is a key heritage asset for the Isle of Man and extremely mindful of the great interest that the Manx public have in the property. [14] No specific individuals or groups were blamed and the deaths were attributed to misadventure, although the delay in evacuation and the flammable building materials were condemned. My Mum persuaded me not to stay any longer in the childrens' play area in the basement, so we returned to the gallery area overlooking the stage/dancefloor to join my brother and uncle. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. The decor made it look like a tropical fairyland in places with the waterfall which looked like it was tumbling into the building from where the cliff-face was at the rear of the building. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. I was 12 that year. Located in the heart of Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, the complex was a landmark of the island, offering a wide range of attractions for both locals and visitors alike. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) Johnny, LaxeySummerland was such a great place to hang out and I would guess that most of the Isle of Man population that was around at the time of the fire is still in shock. Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. . The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. "Good crispy duck and great main dishes.". It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. Then with my children to manxland,their first birthday parties, my sisters-in-laws fashion shows & watching cousin's children do ballroom dancing & they're just a handfull of memories!Summerland was a one off & while the Villa Marina is a part of our islands history & heritage, there will never be another place like Summerland - it's in a league of it's own.

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