But the dream was short lived. 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.. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. 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. 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. 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. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. Overview. dotty kiddI 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. 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.
Isle of Man - Wikitravel The island is in desperate need of some alternative. 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. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. I had a great time. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. 1. 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. 05 Apr 2023 - 16 Apr 2023. I remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. 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. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses.
THE 10 BEST Chinese Restaurants in Isle of Man (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor (en) dbo:thumbnail 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.
Plans for first phase of Castle Mona restoration submitted - Tevir Group 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. [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. 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. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. The Isle of Man is located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea, Isle of Man to the east, Northern Ireland to the west, Scotland (closest) to the north and Republic of Ireland to the southwest. Location:Isle of Man Posted February 17, 2006 Some photos of Summerland and the demolition (I'll post them in batches because uploading all at once seems to mess up the order) Quote Regulars 7.1k Gender:Male Location:Isle of Man Posted February 17, 2006 Damn flood control Quote The Old Git Regulars 7.1k Gender:Male Location:Isle of Man Game & Entertainment Centers. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. CLOSED COMPLETELY!
Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA West 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. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. 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. 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. Add Your Event View All 04 March Saturday Manx Amateur Drama Federation Coffee Morning View 10:00 - 12:00 Current Weather 9 4 03 March Friday 8 4 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 new Entertainment Centre was named Summerland and opened in the summer The island has been visited by various raiders and trading peoples over the years. 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 stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. [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. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. [1] [2] [3] I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. 420,000 Property details; The street frontage and part of the roof was clad in Oroglas, a transparent acrylic glass sheeting.[5].
14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road, Onchan - Chrystals About: Summerland disaster With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. Locations. Welcome to Summerland Today! Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. 7. vox pop older man re.
LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) | eBay While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. 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. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. 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 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. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. 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. 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. 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. 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. I worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. people screaming and trying to escape, one boy broke a window with a microphone stand.
Summerland Series: The Cave - Gef - Isle of Man [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. 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. 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. 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. Zoom in to cu of Summerland Complex and fire damage 2. vs fire damage 3. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. 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. 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. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. 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. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. 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. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. What a great place. 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. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. The fire killed 50 people, eleven of them under the age of twenty. Summerland. 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. 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. Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. 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. 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!
The Paranormal Database Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. 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. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms .
Where is Isle of Man, UK? | Where is Isle of Man Located on Map Original 1970s flyer in colour. 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. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. 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. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) Ladies Location: Douglas - The Nunnery estate Type: Haunting Manifestation Date / Time: Unknown The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969.
summerland site isle of man - Investingmath.biz We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. I was 7 and on holiday with family,that inluded aunts,uncles and cousins.A lot of us had been holdaying in Douglas that week and we spent a lot of time in Summerland.It was a great place to spend the day.It had all the ammenities ,everything you wanted was there,a funfare ,indoor heated swimming pool,indoor amusement arcade.It had bars,a disco's everything.On the night of the fire, we just finished our evening meal in our hotel and we began walking up Douglas promenade ,going towards Summerland,when we noticed smoke billowing up from behind the building,the next instant the entire building was engulfed in flames.I remember seeing people pouring out of the building,some were on fire,it was horrific.We were standing some distance away and I could not take my eyes off it.The explosions from the burning building boomed across Douglas bay.I had never seen so many injured people before and it is something that I wll never forget.The following morning we all cut our holiday short and returned home,as the ferry was leaving Douglas we all stood on the boat deck ,staring at the burnt out shell of Summerland.Have never been back to IOM since that terrible fire. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. I was 5 at the time. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. What a great place. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs.
MER 26 56 Douglas 1978 | Isle of man, Summerland, Isle I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. Douglas (Man My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. 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. 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. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). 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. 14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road Onchan IM3 2BD. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. It was an example of Modernist architecture incorporating advanced controlled internal climate, built with novel construction techniques using new plastic materials. 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. There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering. 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). This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. 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.
Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! Condition is excellent. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) 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 the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. I loved it so much and will always remember it . 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! The average house price in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 is . I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'.
PDF "The - Summerland Fire Disaster The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. 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. The death toll brought about a public inquiry that ran from September 1973 to February 1974. 5. vs burned out building.
ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph This button displays the currently selected search type. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. 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 found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool.
Matteo Vinci on LinkedIn: BluVeinXL: aiming for benchmark status in the 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. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. Tehachapi, CA, US.
Isle of Man - The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. Two years after its completion in 1971 the high tech promenade venue was the scene of devastation after a fire ripped through the building killing 50 people.
The Summerland site is to be put on the market - BBC News 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 made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. 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.