We never knew if she saved our lives. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). 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.. FREE membership. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. 7. After a geotechnical team determined that the blocks could not be safely stabilised or removed, and that there was a risk they would fall into the buildings below, the site was scheduled for demolition. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) Catherine WoodhouseI was 9 and on holiday with my Mum, brother and Uncle Peter (Mum's brother), the aim of the holiday being to give Mum a break after my Dad had died following a long illness. 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. xx. 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. 1. [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. 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. Nicole SmithThe queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. 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. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. 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. 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 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. 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. Only three Solaria existed at the time: Chicago, Japan and Switzerland. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. This was on the 2nd floor. Summerland. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Summerland for me, like many others who grew up on the Island was one of the main places that you could find entertainment of all forms from Rollerskating through to catching a afternoon film in the cinema. Gallery Click to Enlarge. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) 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. I went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. When it opened Summerland w 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. FOR SALE! I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. What a great place. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) The death toll brought about a public inquiry that ran from September 1973 to February 1974. The 3.5 acre Summerland resort, claiming to be the biggest and most innovative indoor entertainment centre in the world, was hailed by the British Tourist Authority as An outstanding tourist enterprise. Bid today! 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. Seconds later the light grew to a flame a few feet high, then within no time at all there were large flames extending the whole height of the side of the building I was frozen in shock watching what was kicking off. I was 5 at the time. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. Experts searching the wreckage. 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. of 1971. 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. Figure 2 shows where the fire initially started, and it spread quickly over the building faade. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. 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 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. Condition is excellent. The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. 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. 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. 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. 2. ws Summerland after fire - skeleton of building. Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. NOTHING! 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. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. 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. SUMMERLAND, DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. I had a great time. "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. It was all shining, it even smelt new. I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. 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. 420,000 Property details; 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. 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 They were each fined 3 (equal to 31.86 in 2020) and ordered to pay 33p compensation and 15p costs. 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. fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! There is also a mysterious underground room in the castle where a male ghost has been seen lingering. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. 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!) There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 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..