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. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. 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. 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 was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. 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. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. 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. I survived that terrible disaster. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. I remember going there as a 6 year old. 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. Having met with Mr Gawne MHK to discuss my proposal for a commemorative space prior to his unsuccessful re-election, then continued with Ray Harmer MHK the newly . (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. Bid today! On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) County: . Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. The complex Phase I was the In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. This button displays the currently selected search type. (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.) 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. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. 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). I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. From pantomime to ballet and live music to musicals. 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. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. 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. OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. Noel Skillicorn, LiverpoolSummerland 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. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . 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). 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 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. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. [13] The inscription on the 1998 disaster memorial did not give a death toll; its 2013 replacement lists all 50 names. Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. 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. Condition is excellent. Experts searching the wreckage. The plans took years to finalise. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399665 - 12.48. "Excellent! Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. The site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and William LeedsI remember going there as a 6 year old. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. 420,000 Property details; [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. 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 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. BBC Isle of Man, Broadcasting House, Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1SW, I 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. 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 . My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. The acrylic material melted, allowing more oxygen to enter, and dropping burning molten material, both starting other fires and injuring those trying to escape. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. [19][20], On other anniversaries of the disaster many memorials take place, such as a memorial concert and a moment of silence at the location which is now a vacant site. CLOSED COMPLETELY! There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. The burnt out remains of the centre in September 1973, one month after the fire. Property description & features. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. The end of a holiday dream 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!! It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 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. But the dream was short lived. 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. There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. As kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. 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. Lots of wildlife viewing!! I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. [15] Changes to building regulations to improve fire safety were introduced. 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. They were each fined 3 (equal to 31.86 in 2020) and ordered to pay 33p compensation and 15p costs. Game & Entertainment Centers. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. Property & houses for sale in Isle of Man *DISCLAIMER. 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. 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. Locations. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. Only three Solaria existed at the time: Chicago, Japan and Switzerland. The Majestic. At the time Summerland was one of the most. 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. 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. Welcome to Summerland Today! Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. STORY. 7. ! 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 feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. 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. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Mass Cholera Grave in Douglas. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. 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!! 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. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. the old building demolished. 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. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. 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. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 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. 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. 5. vs burned out building. 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. Meanwhile a group of three school boys on holiday from Liverpool was hanging around at the back of the building next to a section of a dismantled fibre-glass kiosk. 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. 8 ISLE OF MAN EXAMINER www.iomtoday.co.im Tuesday, June 27, 2017 BUILDINGS AT RISK Heritage: A look at the Castle Mona Hotel s history S A newsdesk@iomtoday.co.im Twi er: @iomnewspapers The journey from the jewel in Douglas s crown to an eyesore A nyone who knows the song The Ugly Duck - ling will know that the bird in While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs.
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