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. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. . I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. 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. 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. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. 5. vs burned out building. NOTHING! I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. 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. The Summerland site today is in the ownership of the Isle of Man Government, derelict for 12 years and for sale for 10 years until January 2018 when it was taken off the market. 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. tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. 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. 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. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. The queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. 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. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. . Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! It was a strange building, influenced by the geodesic structure of Buckminster Fuller's American Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. 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've got used to passing the site & it not being there but from the boat, going in either direction it's still not the same. 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. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . (en) dbo:thumbnail A recent trip to Isle of Man brought back many happy memories but I was sad to see that not only had Summerlands closed but the building was completly gone.Some people said I was daft as there was no pool on the prominade but my memories of that place will never disappear. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. 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. It was all shining, it even smelt new. While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. 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. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. They were each fined 3 (equal to 31.86 in 2020) and ordered to pay 33p compensation and 15p costs. 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. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The new Entertainment Centre was named Summerland and opened in the summer I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. 1. The indoor Summerland leisure complex in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. Tehachapi, CA, US. For me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. the old building demolished. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. 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. 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. 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. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. 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. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. JaxuttonOK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! 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. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. Property & houses for sale in Isle of Man *DISCLAIMER. Phase II 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. 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. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. Property reference . of a new Sports and Entertainment Centre, which would cost the council This was on the 2nd floor. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. 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. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. 1. 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. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. Douglas (Man Game & Entertainment Centers. 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. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. I loved it so much and will always remember it . Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man 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. Locations. 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! There is also significant attic. Phase I was the It took me a long time to go on holiday again. Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. For just over two years the centre attracted visitors from all over the world. 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. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. 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. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. 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. 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 Feb 22, 2021 - Manx Electric Railway 26 a 1898 GF Milnes crossbench tram at Derby Castle terminus in Douglas about to push crossbench trailer 56 back to the depot past the rebuilt Summerland on 14 July 1978. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. 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. 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. 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. Mass Cholera Grave in Douglas. FOR SALE! We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. 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.. Demolition of the site from Oct 2005. 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! on arrival above somerland we couldnt beleve the whole building was an infurno (just where we would have been had we not been delayed)we left the site not beleving such a tragity could be hapening to those poor people,and by the grace of god spared us.with the passing of time and no disrespect to those who loved ones perished or were injured i beleve that summerland was a fabulous venue of the time and should be under another name be reserected for the people of the island and visitors alike,the past is the past and nothing can remain a stain of the building/archetects or goverment who built it in good faith and by unforcene events that happend.the island needs a new complex to invest in tourisem and for the island people to enjoy in these hard days ahead bring life back to the island as it was before the doom and gloom merchants moved in.being a stopover from the late 60s and with three children who were born here i personaly would like to see an indoor complex such as summerland revived. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . 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. It was all shining, it even smelt new. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. CLOSED COMPLETELY! Gallery Click to Enlarge. 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. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) The island has been visited by various raiders and trading peoples over the years. 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. (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.) "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. At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. 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 end of a holiday dream OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! 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. 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. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. 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. At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. 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 island is in desperate need of some alternative. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). 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: 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 . 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. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). VillaGaiety is the Isle of Man's premier ENTERTAINMENT venue. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. 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. 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. 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. 14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road Onchan IM3 2BD. 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). See more ideas about summerland, isle of man, brutalist architecture. 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. Experts searching the wreckage. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. 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!) sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. 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 was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. Now it's completely gone & it is a shame but they will hopefully put something back there for the manx & visitors to enjoy & make their amemories last a lifetime too. The 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. Much thought was given to bringing a sunshine-feel to the building. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. 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. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. 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. On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. I was 12 that year. 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. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. 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. I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. 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. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. Location. 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 wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. 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. 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.