FOR SALE! Condition is excellent. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man. 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. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. 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. [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. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. 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 lost a couple of pals in the fire. OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! I was 17 and was working there at the time of the fire, it was total panic, the fire spread so fast and no body could get out due to the doors being locked, I managed to get my friend away safely but with all the panic going on around I ended up in a daze, I dont know how I got out but remember someone pulling me, I got out befor the first explosion went off. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. 7. vox pop older man re. 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!! But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. 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. 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 The fire was contained in an internal space within the walls until it penetrated the interior, destroying the wiring of the fire alarm system in the process. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. 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). Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. 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. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. 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 Majestic. jilliani loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, WAYNE FORDHI, I PLAYED THE SUMMERLAND DISCO WITH MY BAND 'ROCOCO' THE YEAR BEFORE THE FIRE,I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS 'ROCOCO' I HAVE SOME VERY FOND MEMORIES OF MY TIME THERE, I HAVE VISITED THE ISLAND ONCE SINCE THEN,QUITE BY CHANCE IT WAS THE YEAR BEFORE THE DEMOLITION TOOK PLACE,BUT I SUPPOSE I COULD SAY GOODBYE. 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!! Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. Lots of wildlife viewing!! Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. 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. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. 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. 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 scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The lower floors were geared towards children and teenagers, with a disco, fairground. The acrylic material melted, allowing more oxygen to enter, and dropping burning molten material, both starting other fires and injuring those trying to escape. belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. SUMMERLAND, DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. people screaming and trying to escape, one boy broke a window with a microphone stand. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. It was all shining, it even smelt new. 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: Only three Solaria existed at the time: Chicago, Japan and Switzerland. Tehachapi, CA, US. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. In June of 1832, Cholera arrived on the Isle of Man. over 1.7 million (government grant of 600,000). 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. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. The site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. It was all shining, it even smelt new. 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 was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. The plans took years to finalise. 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. 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. 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. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. Johnny, LaxeySummerland 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. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. 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. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Original 1970s flyer in colour. STORY. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. Summerland was a high tech leisure centre that was built in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, and opened in 1971. 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. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . 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. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. What a great place. CLOSED COMPLETELY! 1. 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. 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! 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. Bid today! 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. 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. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man - YouTube Hello, and welcome again to Places - Lost in Time, a series that looks back on the tale of places and locations that have. 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. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 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. 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. 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. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. of a new Sports and Entertainment Centre, which would cost the council Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. 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. There is also significant attic. 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. This was on the 2nd floor. 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. 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. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. 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. [1] [2] [3] 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. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. The first responding fire crews realised additional resources would be required and almost every resource available to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service was mobilised to the incident (93 of its 106 firefighters and all 16 of its engines). The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. Summerland. StewartI 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 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. carol burnsI survived that terrible disaster. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. David ButteryI 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. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. The closure of the . Phase II 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. Map. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. At the time Summerland was one of the most. 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 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. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. I had a great time. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. . Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. 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!) 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. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Phase I was the I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. 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". 1. Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. 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.