Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. 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. over 1.7 million (government grant of 600,000). I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. Property description & features. This was on the 2nd floor. 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". I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. As kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. 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 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. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. 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: I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. August ISLE of MAN "SUMMERLANDS DOUGLAS" DESTROYED BY FIRE 2nd AUGUST 1973 POSTED 1974 Street Cars Derby Vehicles Swiss Derby Castle before Summerland was demolished J Judith B summerland isle of man August 2013 My Heritage 40th Anniversary Birth Gem Sidewalk Memories I survived that terrible disaster. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. [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. See more ideas about summerland, isle of man, brutalist architecture. "Services weren't equipped for Summerland disaster", "Article about the disaster based on the report by Dr Ian Philips", "Remembering the Summerland fire disaster, 40 years on", "Isle of Man 'shame' over Summerland fire disaster", "Remembering The Summerland Disaster 40 Years On", "Asbestos information centretrade names", "Summerland fire survivor: 'I don't blame dad for saving my sister and leaving me in blaze but I never got to tell him', "Summerland fire: Fifty victims remembered on anniversary", "Summerland disaster survivor: 'I still dream of people in flames', "THE SUMMERLAND SITE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY", "Summerland fire memorial built to mark 40th anniversary", "Summerland fire victims remembered on 40th anniversary", 1972 amateur film of pre-disaster Summerland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Summerland_disaster&oldid=1142829611, Fire disasters involving barricaded escape routes, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 16:12. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. NOTHING! I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. 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. 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. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. 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. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey. 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. 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. 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. fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. 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. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The Manx Development Corporation is part of the strategy for realizing economic, social and environmental benefits through enabling full utilization of government owned land and property assets and acting as a catalyst for regeneration and repurposing of urban and brownfield sites. 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. FREE membership. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. 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. For just over two years the centre attracted visitors from all over the world. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. The end of a holiday dream Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. 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 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. Just a stump of a diving board and the deep end of the Aquadrome pool, now home to about twenty billion pigeons The Brutalist concrete exterior concealed a range of sports and leisure facilities, all very wholesome and family-oriented. 14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road Onchan IM3 2BD. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. It was an example of Modernist architecture incorporating advanced controlled internal climate, built with novel construction techniques using new plastic materials. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. 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 centre reopened in June 1978. "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. 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 charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. 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 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. 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). 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man Locations. 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. JaxuttonOK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! And the name, it was just called the summerland play area, or Barry Nobles arcade before that (not to be confused with the one that was opposite Woolworths) 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. Examples of their tools are kept at the Manx Museum. Ladies Location: Douglas - The Nunnery estate Type: Haunting Manifestation Date / Time: Unknown I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. After another few minutes the flames had spread over the top of the building and were beginning to engulf the whole place, it was horrible to see. The street frontage and part of the roof was clad in Oroglas, a transparent acrylic glass sheeting.[5]. 420,000 Property details; We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. 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. 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. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. 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. [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 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. Aug 27, 2019 - Explore Amanda Smith's board "Summerland IOM" on Pinterest. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 7. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. 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. On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. Summerland was such a great place to hang out and I would guess that most of the Isle of Man population that was around at the time of the fire is still in shock. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Nicole SmithThe queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. Bid today! It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. 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. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. 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! Jade Harbour Restaurant. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. A Cafe. Welcome to Summerland Today! 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!) If you like to see Seven Sisters - view in Seaford, United Kingdom or any other wonderful filming locations from Summerland, start scrolling. seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. Those were the days. 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. 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. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. 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. Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. 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. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. 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. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. 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. I used to love walking round the place & everytime it was just as amazing as the first time.Then in my teens & 20's & 30's going to the cave & upstairs for the TT events from TT supporters club meetings,to gigs & tyre balancing. 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. Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. The transparent roof was composed of 6 ft acrylic bronze-tinted sheets so that the natural light filtering through would appear like golden rays. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. 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. 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 remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. 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 still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. Ramsey is one of the sunniest parts of the Isle of Man, offering walks, fishing, golf, cycling and swimming. 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. [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. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. xx. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. 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. William LeedsI remember going there as a 6 year old. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. 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. 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. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Phase I was the While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. Gallery Click to Enlarge. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. 1. I used to love walking round the place & everytime it was just as amazing as the first time.Then in my teens & 20's & 30's going to the cave & upstairs for the TT events from TT supporters club meetings,to gigs & tyre balancing. Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home.