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. I 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. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. "Good crispy duck and great main dishes.". Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. I was 5 at the time. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. 3. ws firemen in orange coats looking at building. the old building demolished. This was on the 2nd floor. One survivor (who was a child at the time) remembered her father noticing smoke coming from the ventilation shaft and had started to attempt to evacuate when the whole area erupted in flames. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. 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. Bob EmeryWhen Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. 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. (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.) [1] [2] [3] Location. 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. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. I survived that terrible disaster. On August 2, 1973, at about 20.00, a fire in a kiosk close to Summerland, Isle of Man, started a conflagration and caused the death of 50 people. Lots of wildlife viewing!! 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. I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. 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. At the time Summerland was one of the most. [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. Experts into wreckage of building 4. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The closure of the . 420,000 Property details; In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental 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. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. 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. . 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). 7. [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 burnt out remains of the centre in September 1973, one month after the fire. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition 1. 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. i loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, HI, 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. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. people screaming and trying to escape, one boy broke a window with a microphone stand. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. Nicole SmithThe queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. CLOSED COMPLETELY! A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. Numerous firms are employing truck drivers in different locations of Canada like Alberta, Ontario, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Quebec, Ottawa, Calgary, and also great deals of extra. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. 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. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. . I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. 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. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. 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 island is in desperate need of some alternative. With the building also suffering from concrete cancer, the remainder of the site closed in 2004, and demolition began in January 2006. 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. The venue attracted thousands of people to the. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. I had a great time. 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. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. 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. The concept was so radical that architect Geoffrey Ellis came to the Island to work for Mr If you like to see Seven Sisters - view in Seaford, United Kingdom or any other wonderful filming locations from Summerland, start scrolling. 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. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. Game & Entertainment Centers. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! There were two phases in the building County: . A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 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 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. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. Map. What a great place. [13] The inscription on the 1998 disaster memorial did not give a death toll; its 2013 replacement lists all 50 names. We never knew if she saved our lives. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. 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.. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it.