If you like to see Seven Sisters - view in Seaford, United Kingdom or any other wonderful filming locations from Summerland, start scrolling. The transparent roof was composed of 6 ft acrylic bronze-tinted sheets so that the natural light filtering through would appear like golden rays. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. County: . There were two phases in the building Mass Cholera Grave in Douglas. 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. 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. Lots of wildlife viewing!! Just a stump of a diving board and the deep end of the Aquadrome pool, now home to about twenty billion pigeons The Brutalist concrete exterior concealed a range of sports and leisure facilities, all very wholesome and family-oriented. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. 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. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. The street frontage and part of the roof was clad in Oroglas, a transparent acrylic glass sheeting.[5]. 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. 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. FOR SALE! It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. 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. Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. Original 1970s flyer in colour. I worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). LizAlthough I remember when the fire happened (as a relative was working there that evening and thankfully survived), my happy memories are also quite vivid as I used to go there many times, especially during school holidays. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. 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. A Cafe. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. The rest is of course history. The concept was so radical that architect Geoffrey Ellis came to the Island to work for Mr I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. 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. xx. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. 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. 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. See more ideas about summerland, isle of man, brutalist architecture. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. 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. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. 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. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. From pantomime to ballet and live music to musicals. They were each fined 3 (equal to 31.86 in 2020) and ordered to pay 33p compensation and 15p costs. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. I went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. Jade Harbour Restaurant. 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. Phase II I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) 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. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. [11], One survivor wrote about her experiences from the fire in a book entitled Made in Summerland, which was published in July 2018.[12]. I had a great time. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . [13] The inscription on the 1998 disaster memorial did not give a death toll; its 2013 replacement lists all 50 names. construction of a swimming pool, which was completed in 1969. 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. Summerland Leisure Complex Douglas Isle of Man IM99 2TB Tel: +44 (0) 1624 625511 The Site Facilities Include: Cinema Children's Soft Play Area Squash Badminton Basketball Five-a-Side Football Tennis Rollerskating Volleyball Indoor Golf Simulator Sports Bar Nightclub Spa Suite Future of Summerland Site 5 October 2010 I remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. 1. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. 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: There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. Zoom in to cu of Summerland Complex and fire damage 2. vs fire damage 3. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. 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. The acrylic material melted, allowing more oxygen to enter, and dropping burning molten material, both starting other fires and injuring those trying to escape. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. 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. the old building demolished. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. NOTHING! 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. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. 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. You are in: Isle of Man > History > Where the sun always shines. 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. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. 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. Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. "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. 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. 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. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. mike howarthI was at summerland in august 1973,and went to the groovey disco underneath,but it seemed a bit lacking in atmosphere compared to the clubs in Manchester.I was also in Douglas when Summerland set on fire and joined the long queue of people donating blood for the victims. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. 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. This devastating fire ripped through a leisure centre in the Isle of Man, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. The Manx Development Corporation is part of the strategy for realizing economic, social and environmental benefits through enabling full utilization of government owned land and property assets and acting as a catalyst for regeneration and repurposing of urban and brownfield sites. STORY. I was 5 at the time. 7. vox pop older man re. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. Game & Entertainment Centers. 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. After a couple of hours frozen to the spot I remember seeing my Mum running towards me and picking me up, crying and hugging me as if she hadnt seen me in years or something. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. 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. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. 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.. The death toll brought about a public inquiry that ran from September 1973 to February 1974. Map. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 [7] The coastguard immediately called the fire brigade. 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. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. 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. of a new Sports and Entertainment Centre, which would cost the council Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Isle of Man: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399644 at the best online prices at eBay! 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!!

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