Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. 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. 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!! 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. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. 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. 14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road Onchan IM3 2BD. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. The concept was so radical that architect Geoffrey Ellis came to the Island to work for Mr It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. 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. Only three Solaria existed at the time: Chicago, Japan and Switzerland. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. [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. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. The burning kiosk collapsed against the exterior of the building. 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. It was the brain child of Douglas architect, Mr James Phillips Lomas who had been commissioned by Douglas Corporation to design a building which would attract visitors to the Isle of Man whatever the weather. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. 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 . of 1971. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. 8. Re: Isle of Man Summerland Fire Yes I remember the fire I was 10 years of age and on holiday with my family. Overview. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. What a great place. Flora Mcintyre i remembr 1968-69 , I worked at White City on the Isle of Man , they were the eight best years of my life. It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. For just over two years the centre attracted visitors from all over the world. 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. 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. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. With the building also suffering from concrete cancer, the remainder of the site closed in 2004, and demolition began in January 2006. The Majestic. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. 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! 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. Mountain retreat in Southern California. FOR SALE! The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. '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. 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? Map. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. Douglas (Man 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. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. JaxuttonOK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. There is also significant attic. Summerland 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. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. The Summerland disaster is the worst day in Manx history and remains the third worst loss of life from fire on land in the British Isles since World War Two. 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. With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the 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! I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. 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. 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. 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. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. 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. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. 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. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. 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. tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. It was all shining, it even smelt new. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. 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. carol burnsI survived that terrible disaster. 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. 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 had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. This was on the 2nd floor. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. The world's first offshore oil wells, drilled from piers in 1896. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. It was an example of Modernist architecture incorporating advanced controlled internal climate, built with novel construction techniques using new plastic materials. 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. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. [7] The coastguard immediately called the fire brigade. xx. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man The end of a holiday dream 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. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. . We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! over 1.7 million (government grant of 600,000). 3. ws firemen in orange coats looking at building. 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. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey. 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. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. 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. 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. Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. Game & Entertainment Centers. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) 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. The lower floors were geared towards children and teenagers, with a disco, fairground. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. A Cafe. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. I was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. The fire spread to the wall's interior soundproofing material, which was highly combustible, causing an intense fire that ignited the flammable acrylic sheeting that covered the rest of the building. 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. 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. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. 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 was 5 at the time. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. 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. Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. 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. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. From pantomime to ballet and live music to musicals. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. 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. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. 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.. 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. I was 12 that year. NOTHING! The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. The acrylic material melted, allowing more oxygen to enter, and dropping burning molten material, both starting other fires and injuring those trying to escape. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. 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. Location Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Geographic coordinates 54 15 N, 4 30 W Map references Europe Area total: 572 sq km land: 572 sq km water: 0 sq km country comparison to the world: 193 Area - comparative slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries total: 0 km Coastline There's not much left of the place. I worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. 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 took me a long time to go on holiday again. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. 4. vs damage to building. of a new Sports and Entertainment Centre, which would cost the council The new Entertainment Centre was named Summerland and opened in the summer It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. I had a great time. Summerland was a high tech leisure centre that was built in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, and opened in 1971. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. 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. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. i remembr 1968-69 , I worked at White City on the Isle of Man , they were the eight best years of my life. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Demolition of the site from Oct 2005. The closure of the . [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. The plans took years to finalise. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. 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. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. I had a great time. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. 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 were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. 7. vox pop older man re. The centre reopened in June 1978. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399665 - 12.48. 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. This was on the 2nd floor. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. 2. ws Summerland after fire - skeleton of building. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. 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 site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. 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. Tehachapi, CA, US. 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. 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. "Excellent! 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. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. 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. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. 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) seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition CLOSED COMPLETELY! Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. 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 would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. 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. Lomas wanted to create the illusion of being outside and to this end he planned to cover exposed cliff faces with tropical plants while allowing wild birds to live and fly throughout the building. 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. The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. I remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Locations. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. A survivor of the devastating Summerland fire on the Isle of Man which killed 50 people, including 15 from Merseyside and Cheshire, has made an emotional appeal for the three Liverpool friends who . The island is in desperate need of some alternative. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. [13] The inscription on the 1998 disaster memorial did not give a death toll; its 2013 replacement lists all 50 names. In June of 1832, Cholera arrived on the Isle of Man. 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). [1] [2] [3] It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. One survivor (who was a child at the time) remembered her father noticing smoke coming from the ventilation shaft and had started to attempt to evacuate when the whole area erupted in flames. 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!
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