I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. '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. 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. 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. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. 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 rest is of course history. (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.) Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. I 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.. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. 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. 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 was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. Aug 27, 2019 - Explore Amanda Smith's board "Summerland IOM" on Pinterest. belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. 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. Ramsey is one of the sunniest parts of the Isle of Man, offering walks, fishing, golf, cycling and swimming. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) 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. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. Summerland was only a mile away from the District General Hospital and there was no clearing station for preliminary assessment of the injured. (en) dbo:thumbnail 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. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. From Wonderful California, published 1915. 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. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. [17], In October 2002, torrential rain caused damage to several structures, as well as two landslides behind Summerland which dislodged two 50-tonne concrete blocks that had once supported the roof of the original building, but had not been removed in the wake of the fire. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. The fire started at around 7:30p.m. on 2 August 1973 when approximately 3,000 people were inside,[5] and was caused by three boys who were smoking in a small disused kiosk,[6] on the centre's miniature golf course[7] and who told police it was likely started by a carelessly discarded match or stub. We never knew if she saved our lives. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. When it opened Summerland w 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . 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. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . of 1971. This was on the 2nd floor. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. NOTHING! 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. 3. ws firemen in orange coats looking at building. 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. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! 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 fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. Gallery Click to Enlarge. It was all shining, it even smelt new. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. 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 site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. 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 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. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. I loved it so much and will always remember it . 6. vox pops boys re. At the time Summerland was one of the most. Ian Phillips of Birmingham University suggests these reporting discrepancies explain why some sources have given incorrect death tolls of 49, 51, or 53. The queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. 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. [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. [13] The inscription on the 1998 disaster memorial did not give a death toll; its 2013 replacement lists all 50 names. 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. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. 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. I was 5 at the time. NOTHING! The venue was designed to hold 10,000 people in five floors and included swimming. Phase II My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. Those were the days. 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 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], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. 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. There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. 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. Film: Pos - Sound: Mag SOF - Colour - NYFilm: No - LN Number: LN45368 - Available in HD Storyline Go to top Scenes of the aftermath of the Summerland Pleasure Complex fire Categories Go to top Locations: 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. 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 pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. 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 venue attracted thousands of people to the. 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. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. 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. While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. 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 . 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. ! sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. The world's first offshore oil wells, drilled from piers in 1896. Welcome to Summerland Today! We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. 8. 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. 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. 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 . I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. 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. 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. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. 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. 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. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. 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. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). Behind the stage was the huge rock face. 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. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. 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. [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. xx. 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 lost a couple of pals in the fire. 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. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. 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 comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). 4. vs damage to 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. [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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. 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. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. 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. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. 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. 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. 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. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. When Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. 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. The first drawings materialised in 1965 but hundreds were drafted out before building work actually started. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. 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. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. "Excellent! Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. 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 had a great time. 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. Summerland Leisure Complex Douglas Isle of Man IM99 2TB Tel: +44 (0) 1624 625511 The Site Facilities Include: Cinema Children's Soft Play Area Squash Badminton Basketball Five-a-Side Football Tennis Rollerskating Volleyball Indoor Golf Simulator Sports Bar Nightclub Spa Suite Future of Summerland Site 5 October 2010 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. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. Property description & features. 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. 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. 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. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 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 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. 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.. RM R8WF63 - Oil wells drilled into the bed of the Pacific ocean at Summerland, between Santa Barbara and Los Angleles, California, United States of America, c. 1915. FREE membership. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. Bob EmeryWhen Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. 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. 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. Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. I loved it so much and will always remember it . I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). 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. There's not much left of the place. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. 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. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. 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 spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. We actually visited the Summerland on the day of the fire, I can remember the night of the fire, we were staying in a hotel on the opposite end of the prom, I was there with my cousin and our Mum's and Dad's had gone out for the evening. I went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. 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". "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. I was 5 at the time. 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.