I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. 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. While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. 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. I had a great time. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. . 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. 1. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. 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. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. 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. 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 Paranormal Database ISLE OF MAN SUMMERLAND FIRE | AP Archive I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. I worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. 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. Summerland Comes Down Fast! - Page 2 - Manx Forums Locations. 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. Map. 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). I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Located in the heart of Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, the complex was a landmark of the island, offering a wide range of attractions for both locals and visitors alike. 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. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. BBC - Isle of Man - History - Where the sun always shines This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. The death toll brought about a public inquiry that ran from September 1973 to February 1974. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. 5. vs burned out building. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. House Sitting in Mission Canyon, California, US | TrustedHousesitters.com Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. 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. 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. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. 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. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Condition is excellent. Summerland. 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. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. What a great place. This was on the 2nd floor. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. Bid today! LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) | eBay There is also significant attic. 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. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Summerland fire disaster, Isle of Man | 2nd August 1973 We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. I 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. When Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. PDF Heritage: A look at the Castle Mona Hotel s history The journey from Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. 22 Summerland IOM ideas | summerland, isle of man, brutalist architecture Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA West 1. It was a strange building, influenced by the geodesic structure of Buckminster Fuller's American Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. 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. At the time Summerland was one of the most. 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 lost a couple of pals in the fire. The venue attracted thousands of people to the. PDF "The - Summerland Fire Disaster Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. 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. Those were the days. 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. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8, 4 bedroom semi-detached house for On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Phase II 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. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) NOTHING! 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. 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. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man xx. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. NOTHING! It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. BBC Isle of Man, Broadcasting House, Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1SW, I was 16 at the time of the fire, like many teeagers in Douglas we spent most of our evenings and many a wet day at Summerland.We could occasionally get served in the bars and if not we roller skated on the big rink downstairs.The night of the fire we had left Summerland to go to the stock cars at Onchan stadium, we got as far as the Catholic church in Oncan park when we saw a thin column of black smoke and people began to gather at the cliff top overlooking the site.We ran across the golf course watching the smoke grow, by the time we reached the cliff, half of the seaward wall of Summerland was blazing with a thick sheet of jet black smoke rising hundreds of feet.From our viewpoint we watched the fire spread over the huge oroglas canopy and saw thousands of people pouring out of the doors.When the events of 9/11 were shown on tv it reminded me of Douglas prom that night, teeming with shocked people and emergency vehicles flying up and down.We ended up in the Granada hotel trying to phone our parents to tell them we were ok but the phones were busy.The next morning the whole town stank of burnt plastic and vans instead of ambulannces ferried the dead to a makeshift mortuary.I didn't loose anyone and I dont have nightmares, but it was a dark part of my childhood and a memory that is still often in my thoughts. OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. 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. The first drawings materialised in 1965 but hundreds were drafted out before building work actually started. With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland Nicole SmithThe queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. 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. 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. FREE membership. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! 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. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. Heavy Truck Driver Jobs in Canada for Foreigners in 2022 Behind the stage was the huge rock face. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. On 17 September 1973, three Liverpool boys two of them 12 and the other 14 appeared before Douglas Juvenile Court and admitted wilfully and unlawfully damaging the lock of a plastic kiosk next to Summerland. Location. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. Isle of Man - The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency 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. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. Examples of their tools are kept at the Manx Museum. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. Isle of Man community commemorate 49th anniversary of Summerland - ITVX The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in the British Isles. 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. 7. vox pop older man re. There's not much left of the place. 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!) Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. [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. The survivor and her mother were separated from her father and sister and stuck in the venue before being rescued through a window by firemen. The Isle of Man is located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea, Isle of Man to the east, Northern Ireland to the west, Scotland (closest) to the north and Republic of Ireland to the southwest. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. 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. "Good crispy duck and great main dishes.". was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. There was no attempt to evacuate the 3,000 people present[5] until the visible evidence of the flames prompted a panic-stricken mass rush for the exits. 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. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . 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 10 BEST Chinese Restaurants in Isle of Man (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. Jade Harbour Restaurant. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. The new Entertainment Centre was named Summerland and opened in the summer I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. In June of 1832, Cholera arrived on the Isle of Man. 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. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. The complex [7] The coastguard immediately called the fire brigade. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) 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. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. 6. vox pops boys re. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. Summerland, Isle of Man 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. 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. 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. Bit by bit over the years things would start to disappear, until by the end there was only "Manxland" left, my son really enjoyed palying there with all his cousins & it was a great place for Mums to meet on a Saturday & have a coffee while the kids played, we did that for a lot of years. When 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. At the time Summerland was one of the most. [1] [2] [3] You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. 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. Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. Mountain retreat in Southern California. The water in the pool was lovely and hot and we used to go out and stand in a cold shower and the cold foot bath then dive into the pool to get that even warmer feeling. . It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. [19][20], On other anniversaries of the disaster many memorials take place, such as a memorial concert and a moment of silence at the location which is now a vacant site. Ladies Location: Douglas - The Nunnery estate Type: Haunting Manifestation Date / Time: Unknown In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental 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 was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. 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. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. 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. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey 4 bed semi-detached house for sale - I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. 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. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). Summerland Fire Memorial - Douglas, Isle of Man - Waymarking Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. Isle of Man - Wikitravel Haunted Isle of Man/THE TRAGIC SUMMERLAND FIRE, ISLE OF MAN 14a Majestic Apartments, King Edward Road, Onchan, IM3 2BD 2 bed Isle of Man 'shame' over Summerland fire disaster - BBC News 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. We never knew if she saved our lives. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. [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. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. 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. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Overview. 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 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. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! 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 remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. 14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road, Onchan - Chrystals We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. 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. 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 . 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. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. It was all shining, it even smelt new.