I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . 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. There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. 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 . 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 state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. 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. [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. What a great place. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. 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. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. It was a strange building, influenced by the geodesic structure of Buckminster Fuller's American Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. "Good crispy duck and great main dishes.". These proposals will necessitate significant investment but will enable us to rectify core issues that have compromised the integrity of the building in recent years, such . dotty kiddI 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. 1. Ladies Location: Douglas - The Nunnery estate Type: Haunting Manifestation Date / Time: Unknown xx. 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 Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. 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. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 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.. "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". 6. vox pops boys re. I 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. Zoom in to cu of Summerland Complex and fire damage 2. vs fire damage 3. A Cafe. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. The first drawings materialised in 1965 but hundreds were drafted out before building work actually started. 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. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. 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. 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. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. 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? 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. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. 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: 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. 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. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. 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 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. [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 site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and 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 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. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. From Wonderful California, published 1915. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. Overview. The Majestic. 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. Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. 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. . Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. 2. ws Summerland after fire - skeleton of building. 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 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. 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!) people screaming and trying to escape, one boy broke a window with a microphone stand. [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. 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. 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. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. 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! Ramsey is one of the sunniest parts of the Isle of Man, offering walks, fishing, golf, cycling and swimming. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. 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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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 so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. 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. Bob EmeryWhen Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. 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. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. I was 5 at the time. 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. Property description & features. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man. In June of 1832, Cholera arrived on the Isle of Man. 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. The complex of 1971. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. The concept was so radical that architect Geoffrey Ellis came to the Island to work for Mr But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. I 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. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. 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. 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 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. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. I had a great time. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. My parents had gone for a drink and I was looking after myself on my own in the safety that was 1973 in the fantastic Isle of Man. i 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. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. The rest is of course history. It was an example of Modernist architecture incorporating advanced controlled internal climate, built with novel construction techniques using new plastic materials. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. 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. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399665 - 12.48. 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. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. Summerland was a high tech leisure centre that was built in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, and opened in 1971. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . 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. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. 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. 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. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. Experts into wreckage of building 4. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. 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. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. 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. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. [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. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. 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. 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. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. At the time Summerland was one of the most. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. 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. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. It was a climate-controlled building covering 3.5 acres (1.4ha) on Douglas's waterfront, consisting of 50,000sqft (4,600m2) of floor area constructed at a cost of 2 million. I went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. 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. (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.) Location. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. There were two phases in the building Location: Isle of Man Date Posted: 4/5/2017 2:49:35 PM Waymark Code: WMVDNA from when I was an infant until I was a teenager.Also my dad and his friend used to have such fun jumping on the beaded filled cushions in the solariumI also remember being at home in Liverpool watching the blaze on TV and crying becuase I would never be able to go there again. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Figure 2 shows where the fire initially started, and it spread quickly over the building faade. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). 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). (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) '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 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. Mountain retreat in Southern California. 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. [4], Summerland was designed to accommodate up to 10,000 tourists and consisted of a dance hall, five floors of holiday games, a rollerskating rink, restaurants and public bars. 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!! Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. 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. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. [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. 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. 1. When it opened Summerland w The end of a holiday dream panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. It was all shining, it even smelt new. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. 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.