Summerland was only a mile away from the District General Hospital and there was no clearing station for preliminary assessment of the injured. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. With the building also suffering from concrete cancer, the remainder of the site closed in 2004, and demolition began in January 2006. Facts About Isle of Man: Places to Visit in Isle of Man Location Map of UK Cities Where is Aberdeen Where is Basildon Where is Basingstoke Where is Bath We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. . Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. The Paranormal Database xx. 1. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. PDF The 1973 Summerland disaster lessons to the building industry from celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. 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. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. 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. STORY. Original 1970s flyer in colour. In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man 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! I had a great time. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. 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. Inside the centre he included plans for an indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, Turkish baths, an artificial sunshine zone, a childrens theatre, an underground disco, cascading waterfalls, restaurants and bars all with live entertainment throughout the day. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. Property reference . We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. 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. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. 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. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). 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. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399665 - 12.48. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. Locations. With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. Summerland Disaster - ScienceDirect 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. Noel Skillicorn, LiverpoolSummerland 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. Find it on the Isle of Man | Business, Restaurants, Classifieds, Events A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. 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 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 . slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. 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 . (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 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, Crazy Carol, OnchanMoonwalk,rollerskating & swimming, just 3 of the things that kept myself, my brother & cousins entertained for hours. 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. Bob EmeryWhen Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. It was all shining, it even smelt new. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. Map. . 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. 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. 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. 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. A recent trip to Isle of Man brought back many happy memories but I was sad to see that not only had Summerlands closed but the building was completly gone.Some people said I was daft as there was no pool on the prominade but my memories of that place will never disappear. 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. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. 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. 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. 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. 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. ISLE OF MAN SUMMERLAND FIRE | AP Archive Examples of their tools are kept at the Manx Museum. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. The building's exterior and the interior were designed by two different architectsthey did not coordinate their planning with each other and thereby created a venue with significant fire risks that were to become apparent only later. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. I was 12 that year. 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. [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. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. 1. 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. Mountain retreat in Southern California. "Good crispy duck and great main dishes.". Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. Those were the days. On August 2, 1973, at about 20.00, a fire in a kiosk close to Summerland, Isle of Man, started a conflagration and caused the death of 50 people. The acrylic material melted, allowing more oxygen to enter, and dropping burning molten material, both starting other fires and injuring those trying to escape. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. 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. Feb 22, 2021 - Manx Electric Railway 26 a 1898 GF Milnes crossbench tram at Derby Castle terminus in Douglas about to push crossbench trailer 56 back to the depot past the rebuilt Summerland on 14 July 1978. 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. The lower floors were geared towards children and teenagers, with a disco, fairground. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. Summerland. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland The site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. I survived that terrible disaster. jimmy kitchin onchanon 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!! Meanwhile a group of three school boys on holiday from Liverpool was hanging around at the back of the building next to a section of a dismantled fibre-glass kiosk. Isle of Man - Wikitravel I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. 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). 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!) Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. 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! Those were the days. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. Location: Isle of Man Date Posted: 4/5/2017 2:49:35 PM Waymark Code: WMVDNA 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. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . County: . I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. From Wonderful California, published 1915. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). 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. 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. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) 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. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. 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. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA West Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. The burning kiosk collapsed against the exterior of the building. of 1971. His solution was to design an artificial centre of sunshine and it had to be spectacular enough to compete with the growing threat of cheap foreign holidays. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. Summerland was a high tech leisure centre that was built in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, and opened in 1971. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) We never knew if she saved our lives. I was 5 at the time. 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 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. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 When Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. NOTHING! 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. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. '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. 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. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. 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. 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. 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. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. 6. vox pops boys re. Bid today! 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. 2. ws Summerland after fire - skeleton of building. 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. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. 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. xx. Douglas (Man The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 8. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. 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. Haunted Isle of Man/THE TRAGIC SUMMERLAND FIRE, ISLE OF MAN 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. 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. 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. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. 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. [11], One survivor wrote about her experiences from the fire in a book entitled Made in Summerland, which was published in July 2018.[12]. The venue attracted thousands of people to the. 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. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. 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. After another few minutes the flames had spread over the top of the building and were beginning to engulf the whole place, it was horrible to see. The queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. PDF Heritage: A look at the Castle Mona Hotel s history The journey from Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. The plans took years to finalise. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. . Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. 5. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. Zoom in to cu of Summerland Complex and fire damage 2. vs fire damage 3. Tehachapi, CA, US. Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. 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. Find it on the Isle of Man | Business, Restaurants, Classifieds, Events and more To access your webmail, click Sign In Find it on the Isle of Man Click here to sign into webmail What's On? "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". 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. 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. Location:Isle of Man Posted February 17, 2006 Some photos of Summerland and the demolition (I'll post them in batches because uploading all at once seems to mess up the order) Quote Regulars 7.1k Gender:Male Location:Isle of Man Posted February 17, 2006 Damn flood control Quote The Old Git Regulars 7.1k Gender:Male Location:Isle of Man It was a strange building, influenced by the geodesic structure of Buckminster Fuller's American Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. BBC - Isle of Man - History - Where the sun always shines Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. 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. The venue was designed to hold 10,000 people in five floors and included swimming. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey - Chrystals I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. I remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. carol burnsI survived that terrible disaster. 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.