summerland isle of man location

I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. Bob EmeryWhen Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. Property description & features. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. Ladies Location: Douglas - The Nunnery estate Type: Haunting Manifestation Date / Time: Unknown Location. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) I survived that terrible disaster. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. 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. 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!! 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. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. 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) Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. Experts searching the wreckage. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). I WILL RETURN AS THERE IS A KIND OF MAGIC ATTRACTION ABOUT THE ISLAND,I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER 'THE GEM IN THE IRISH SEA' WAYNE FORD, Crazy Carol, OnchanMoonwalk,rollerskating & swimming, just 3 of the things that kept myself, my brother & cousins entertained for hours. 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. These proposals will necessitate significant investment but will enable us to rectify core issues that have compromised the integrity of the building in recent years, such . 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. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. 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. Phase II Jade Harbour Restaurant. 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 world's first offshore oil wells, drilled from piers in 1896. 8. "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". The island has been visited by various raiders and trading peoples over the years. Original 1970s flyer in colour. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. 1. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. This button displays the currently selected search type. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. Mountain retreat in Southern California. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! 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. 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. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. 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. (en) dbo:thumbnail 6. vox pops boys re. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. '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. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental 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. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. 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. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. It was a climate-controlled building covering 3.5 acres (1.4ha) on Douglas's waterfront, consisting of 50,000sqft (4,600m2) of floor area constructed at a cost of 2 million. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. 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. Figure 2 shows where the fire initially started, and it spread quickly over the building faade. [18], Forty years after the tragedy, a permanent memorial in the form of three granite columns was unveiled at Kaye Memorial Gardens, at the bottom of Summer Hill. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Tehachapi, CA, US. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. 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. 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. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. Welcome to Summerland Today! Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. 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. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. 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. The queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. 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. 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. It was all shining, it even smelt new. 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. [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. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. It was a strange building, influenced by the geodesic structure of Buckminster Fuller's American Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. 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. 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. 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. 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! 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. 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. Those were the days. VillaGaiety is the Isle of Man's premier ENTERTAINMENT venue. 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 loved it so much and will always remember it . I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. 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. "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. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. 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. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic 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. 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. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. 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. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) 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. 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 . But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. Ramsey is one of the sunniest parts of the Isle of Man, offering walks, fishing, golf, cycling and swimming. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. 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. Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. JaxuttonOK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the Behind the stage was the huge rock face. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. I was 9 at the time of the Summerland fire and on holiday with my Mum and Dad staying at the Granada Hotel as we always did then. 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. 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. 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. The complex FREE membership. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. 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. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man I remember going there as a 6 year old. tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. From Wonderful California, published 1915. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering. John McGimpseyI 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.. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. 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. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. "Excellent! It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. Facts About Isle of Man: Places to Visit in Isle of Man Location Map of UK Cities Where is Aberdeen Where is Basildon Where is Basingstoke Where is Bath 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 rest is of course history. 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. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. (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 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. Those were the days. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. Opened with much fanfare a little more than two years earlier on 25 May 1971, the 2m climate-controlled building boasted restaurants and bars, an indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, a children's theatre and an underground disco. Just then I distinctly remember seeing a small flicker of light at the base of the building on the West side thinking it was someone with a torch or something, as it was getting dusky. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. I 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. We actually visited the Summerland on the day of the fire, I can remember the night of the fire, we were staying in a hotel on the opposite end of the prom, I was there with my cousin and our Mum's and Dad's had gone out for the evening. 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. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. I was 5 at the time. 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. Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. . As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. 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. 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. 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: 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. FOR SALE! I worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Gallery Click to Enlarge. Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. 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.