BBC - Isle of Man - The Summerland building disaster The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition 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. Haunted Isle of Man/THE TRAGIC SUMMERLAND FIRE, ISLE OF MAN Douglas (Man (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). 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. This was on the 2nd floor. 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. I loved it so much and will always remember it . 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. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. from when I was an infant until I was a teenager.Also my dad and his friend used to have such fun jumping on the beaded filled cushions in the solariumI also remember being at home in Liverpool watching the blaze on TV and crying becuase I would never be able to go there again. I used to love walking round the place & everytime it was just as amazing as the first time.Then in my teens & 20's & 30's going to the cave & upstairs for the TT events from TT supporters club meetings,to gigs & tyre balancing. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 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. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . Lots of wildlife viewing!! 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. I had a great time. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. LizAlthough 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. 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!) The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. My Mum and I started to go towards a spiral staircase which led towards the main entrance but my uncle steered us further along the gallery to where there were fire exits leading to the swimming pool area. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. We were first alerted to it by the noise from the fire engines.Looking out the window of the boarding house we saw the flames. I WILL RETURN AS THERE IS A KIND OF MAGIC ATTRACTION ABOUT THE ISLAND,I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER 'THE GEM IN THE IRISH SEA' WAYNE FORD, Moonwalk,rollerskating & swimming, just 3 of the things that kept myself, my brother & cousins entertained for hours. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . Heavy Truck Driver Jobs in Canada for Foreigners in 2022 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. ISLE OF MAN SUMMERLAND FIRE | AP Archive THE 10 BEST Chinese Restaurants in Isle of Man (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor 8 ISLE OF MAN EXAMINER www.iomtoday.co.im Tuesday, June 27, 2017 BUILDINGS AT RISK Heritage: A look at the Castle Mona Hotel s history S A [email protected] Twi er: @iomnewspapers The journey from the jewel in Douglas s crown to an eyesore A nyone who knows the song The Ugly Duck - ling will know that the bird in Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. on arrival above somerland we couldnt beleve the whole building was an infurno (just where we would have been had we not been delayed)we left the site not beleving such a tragity could be hapening to those poor people,and by the grace of god spared us.with the passing of time and no disrespect to those who loved ones perished or were injured i beleve that summerland was a fabulous venue of the time and should be under another name be reserected for the people of the island and visitors alike,the past is the past and nothing can remain a stain of the building/archetects or goverment who built it in good faith and by unforcene events that happend.the island needs a new complex to invest in tourisem and for the island people to enjoy in these hard days ahead bring life back to the island as it was before the doom and gloom merchants moved in.being a stopover from the late 60s and with three children who were born here i personaly would like to see an indoor complex such as summerland revived. [7] The coastguard immediately called the fire brigade. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. The end of a holiday dream 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. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. 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. 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. "Good crispy duck and great main dishes.". 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 Summerland leisure complex in the Isle of Man, a popular tourist destination for many years, closed its doors for the last time in 2018. What a great place. I was 12 that year. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. SUMMERLANDS B&B - Reviews, Photos (Ramsey) - Tripadvisor NOTHING! [12] The fire brigade's provisional total of 51 deaths at the scene was subsequently revised down to 48, and two others died in hospital, one in Douglas on 11 August and the other in Scotland on 29 September; the latter is excluded from the Isle of Man coroner's list of 49 deaths. 7. belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. Property reference . When it opened Summerland w STORY. A Cafe. Ian Phillips of Birmingham University suggests these reporting discrepancies explain why some sources have given incorrect death tolls of 49, 51, or 53. VillaGaiety is the Isle of Man's premier ENTERTAINMENT venue. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Locations. Numerous firms are employing truck drivers in different locations of Canada like Alberta, Ontario, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Quebec, Ottawa, Calgary, and also great deals of extra. 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. 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. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8, 4 bedroom semi-detached house for We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. John McGimpseyI was 15,and in the fire, but I escaped by jumping around the bannisters which were jammed with people too frightened to move on the stairs which were on the same side as the balcony with the crazy golf where the fire was started.. Summerland disaster - Wikipedia I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. My parents had gone for a drink and I was looking after myself on my own in the safety that was 1973 in the fantastic Isle of Man. The Summerland site today is in the ownership of the Isle of Man Government, derelict for 12 years and for sale for 10 years until January 2018 when it was taken off the market. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. . Property description & features. Welcome to Summerland Today! It was all shining, it even smelt new. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. FOR SALE! On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Summerland opened on 25 May 1971 and was designed to accommodate up to 10,000 tourists as one of the largest entertainment centres in the world. The world's first offshore oil wells, drilled from piers in 1896. 6. vox pops boys re. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. Re: Isle of Man Summerland Fire Yes I remember the fire I was 10 years of age and on holiday with my family. [18], Forty years after the tragedy, a permanent memorial in the form of three granite columns was unveiled at Kaye Memorial Gardens, at the bottom of Summer Hill. Find it on the Isle of Man | Business, Restaurants, Classifieds, Events 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 . "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". I lost a couple of pals in the fire. On the night of the fire my Mum and Dad were taking me to see the Black & White minstrels, my much older brother and sister didn't want to go and went on the prom. keith jamiesonI 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. "Excellent! Tehachapi, CA, US. I used to love walking round the place & everytime it was just as amazing as the first time.Then in my teens & 20's & 30's going to the cave & upstairs for the TT events from TT supporters club meetings,to gigs & tyre balancing. The conflagration took place on 2 August 1973 in this ambitious entertainment complex in Douglas, Isle of Man, commissioned in 1965 and opened in May 1971. In The Summerland Story written by Robert Kelly he promotes the centre as a holiday town where it never rains, the wind never blows and the temperature never gets chilly. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. We never knew if she saved our lives. 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. House prices in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 - Zoopla I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Summerland Site - Dedicated to the 50 who lost their lives in the We went back when they rebuilt it but it didn't have the same atmosphere & at first people almost seemed to be looking over their shoulders as if they were waiting for something to happen, it was strange. Experts into wreckage of building 4. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey | ManxLiving Isle of Man Property 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. PDF Heritage: A look at the Castle Mona Hotel s history The journey from 5. vs burned out building. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. Game & Entertainment Centers. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. 8. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. Bid today! My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. Those were the days. i loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, HI, 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. The complex 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. 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. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. We went back when they rebuilt it but it didn't have the same atmosphere & at first people almost seemed to be looking over their shoulders as if they were waiting for something to happen, it was strange. [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. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. The lower floors were geared towards children and teenagers, with a disco, fairground. from when I was an infant until I was a teenager.Also my dad and his friend used to have such fun jumping on the beaded filled cushions in the solariumI also remember being at home in Liverpool watching the blaze on TV and crying becuase I would never be able to go there again. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. 5. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. When Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. NOTHING! We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. On the night of the fire my Mum and Dad were taking me to see the Black & White minstrels, my much older brother and sister didn't want to go and went on the prom. At 8:00 p.m. on 2 August 1973, Summerland, a leisure centre on the Isle of Man as shown in Figure 1, was seen to be on fire. 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 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. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. 1. David ButteryI 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. I remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. 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. Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. 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. Flora Mcintyre i remembr 1968-69 , I worked at White City on the Isle of Man , they were the eight best years of my life. My parents had gone for a drink and I was looking after myself on my own in the safety that was 1973 in the fantastic Isle of Man. I was 9 and on holiday with my Mum, brother and Uncle Peter (Mum's brother), the aim of the holiday being to give Mum a break after my Dad had died following a long illness. A survivor of the devastating Summerland fire on the Isle of Man which killed 50 people, including 15 from Merseyside and Cheshire, has made an emotional appeal for the three Liverpool friends who . Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. Summerland Fire Disaster - Douglas, Isle of Man - 2nd August 1973 Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. The closure of the . Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. This was on the 2nd floor. Summerland - filming locations - SCEEN IT [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. ! We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. The death toll brought about a public inquiry that ran from September 1973 to February 1974. BBC - Isle of Man - History - Where the sun always shines Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. Figure 2 shows where the fire initially started, and it spread quickly over the building faade. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map. MER 26 56 Douglas 1978 | Isle of man, Summerland, Isle See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. CLOSED COMPLETELY! xx. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. And the name, it was just called the summerland play area, or Barry Nobles arcade before that (not to be confused with the one that was opposite Woolworths) Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) at the best online prices at eBay! The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the summerland site isle of man - Investingmath.biz Summerland 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. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH for Sale in Carville LA mike howarthI was at summerland in august 1973,and went to the groovey disco underneath,but it seemed a bit lacking in atmosphere compared to the clubs in Manchester.I was also in Douglas when Summerland set on fire and joined the long queue of people donating blood for the victims. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. (Good move as it happens - I understood later that about 12 people were found dead at the bottom of that staircase, which I seem to recall did not have proper handrails round it, being largely decorative.) 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. We hadn't had decent swimming baths for a long time in Douglas and for that reason alone I couldn't wait to get in and have a look. For me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. Catherine WoodhouseI was 9 and on holiday with my Mum, brother and Uncle Peter (Mum's brother), the aim of the holiday being to give Mum a break after my Dad had died following a long illness. Isle of Man - Wikipedia The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. Map. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. Instead the first call came from a passing taxi driver, while another came from the captain of a ship 2 miles (3.2km) offshore who radioed HM Coastguard and said, "It looks as if the whole of the Isle of Man is on fire". 420,000 Property details; The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". Phase II Demolition of the site from Oct 2005. This devastating fire ripped through a leisure centre in the Isle of Man, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. What's On - Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be.
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