Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. A Cafe. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. The average house price in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 is . Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) Summerland: deadly lessons lost | RIBAJ 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. 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. Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. 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 newsdesk@iomtoday.co.im 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 I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. 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. A couple of the girls had been at the afternoon disco but were on their way back to the digs when the fire must have taken hold. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399665 - 12.48. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. 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. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. 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. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. 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 stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. ISLE OF MAN SUMMERLAND FIRE | AP Archive 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. 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. Property description & features. 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. 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. 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. 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. There is also significant attic. There's not much left of the place. Mass Cholera Grave in Douglas. Summerland was only a mile away from the District General Hospital and there was no clearing station for preliminary assessment of the injured. 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. 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. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) | eBay From Wonderful California, published 1915. PDF The 1973 Summerland disaster lessons to the building industry from 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. 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. I hope you'll find it a useful means of info as to the current status of the site; my hopes for the Isle of Man Government to develop a memorial space there dedicated to the 50 killed in the fire of 2nd August 1973; the one minute's silence I organise on the anniversary of the fire; the Summerland Memorial Concert held each year; together with links and blogs. At the time Summerland was one of the most. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. 13 Spooky & Haunted places in the Isle of Man Lovely Greens At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. 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. Summerland Fire Disaster - Douglas, Isle of Man - 2nd August 1973 Summerland disaster - Wikipedia I 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. 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. the old building demolished. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. 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. But the dream was short lived. 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. We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. After a geotechnical team determined that the blocks could not be safely stabilised or removed, and that there was a risk they would fall into the buildings below, the site was scheduled for demolition. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Isle of Man - The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. 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 I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. House prices in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 - Zoopla Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. Summerland , Douglas, Isle of Man. Original early 1970s Flyer. 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. The burning kiosk collapsed against the exterior of the building. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. Summerland Site - Dedicated to the 50 who lost their lives in the Nicole SmithThe queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. Overview. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. About: Summerland disaster It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. The new Entertainment Centre was named Summerland and opened in the summer Locations. 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. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. Jumping and diving from the boards was also fun with us all playing dead mans fall from the different boards, but I never did manage to dive or even jump from the top board. Much thought was given to bringing a sunshine-feel to the building. 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. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. 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. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . [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. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. 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. Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. Phase II Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. Condition is excellent. 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. Summerland Disaster - ScienceDirect FOR SALE! I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. The street frontage and part of the roof was clad in Oroglas, a transparent acrylic glass sheeting.[5]. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. 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!! We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. It was a strange building, influenced by the geodesic structure of Buckminster Fuller's American Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. I had a great time. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. If you like to see Seven Sisters - view in Seaford, United Kingdom or any other wonderful filming locations from Summerland, start scrolling. 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. "Excellent! 7. Where is Isle of Man, UK? | Where is Isle of Man Located on Map Bid today! I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! 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. 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. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. My dad played a lot of squash so I was always there watching him, well trying.. it took me years to be tall enough to see over from the spectators gallery properly.Every weekend it would either be rollerskating, swimming or the play area in the day and at night we would come back for the cabaret and more time in the play area.Through the week I would be in Summerland for 5-a-side football and swimming lessons with my school.For years I knew nothing about the fire but was told by my parents at a sensible age, from this moment on I wanted to know what the place looked like as their description made it sound out of this world and it was!I have spent many an hour researching everything Summerland.I have to admit I did feel very sad when I saw this place coming down.A newer more aesthetically pleasing version needs to be built, we need a more resourceful entertainment complex on the Island, everthing under one roof.. like Summerland! Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. The centre reopened in June 1978. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man - YouTube Hello, and welcome again to Places - Lost in Time, a series that looks back on the tale of places and locations that have. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. From pantomime to ballet and live music to musicals. You were certainly spoilt for choice - you could go swimming in 2 lovely new pools, rollerskate or play a multitude of sports in the massive sports hall, moonwalk in a big white type of enclosed bouncy castle (which like everything in there had a distinctive new smell). There were two phases in the building Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. This part of the building was clad in a material called Galbestos: profiled steel sheeting with asbestos felt on both sides coated with bitumen,[5][8] with no fire-resistant qualities. Tehachapi, CA, US. After a couple of hours frozen to the spot I remember seeing my Mum running towards me and picking me up, crying and hugging me as if she hadnt seen me in years or something. I remember going there as a 6 year old. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 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. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. Isle of Man - Wikipedia Those were the days. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. 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. Isle of Man - Wikitravel Summerland Fire Memorial - Douglas, Isle of Man - Waymarking See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. The indoor Summerland leisure complex in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. 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 6. vox pops boys re. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. The complex They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland 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. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. NOTHING! Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Summerland for me, like many others who grew up on the Island was one of the main places that you could find entertainment of all forms from Rollerskating through to catching a afternoon film in the cinema. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. The closure of the . I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought.