Ramsey is one of the sunniest parts of the Isle of Man, offering walks, fishing, golf, cycling and swimming. [19][20], On other anniversaries of the disaster many memorials take place, such as a memorial concert and a moment of silence at the location which is now a vacant site. Find it on the Isle of Man | Business, Restaurants, Classifieds, Events I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. 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. 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. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. 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. LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) | eBay We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. 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. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. 4. vs damage to building. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. 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. Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. 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. 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. NOTHING! My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. 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!) 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). Summerland fire disaster, Isle of Man | 2nd August 1973 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. 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. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. 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 went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. Heavy Truck Driver Jobs in Canada for Foreigners in 2022 The complex . Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. This was on the 2nd floor. The average house price in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 is . We never knew if she saved our lives. Figure 2 shows where the fire initially started, and it spread quickly over the building faade. Re: Isle of Man Summerland Fire Yes I remember the fire I was 10 years of age and on holiday with my family. On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. 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 [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. David ButteryI 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. 14a Majestic Apartments King Edward Road Onchan IM3 2BD. House prices in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 - Zoopla '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. I remember going there as a 6 year old. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. 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. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. SUMMERLANDS B&B - Reviews, Photos (Ramsey) - Tripadvisor 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 . 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. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. If you like to see Seven Sisters - view in Seaford, United Kingdom or any other wonderful filming locations from Summerland, start scrolling. Located in the heart of Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, the complex was a landmark of the island, offering a wide range of attractions for both locals and visitors alike. 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. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. Although 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. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. CLOSED COMPLETELY! There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. 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. [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. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. 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. 'I need to speak to the three Liverpool friends who started the 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. 1. 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. 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. Summerland , Douglas, Isle of Man. Original early 1970s Flyer. Map. The End Of An Era: The Closure Of Summerland Leisure Complex In 2018 ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. For just over two years the centre attracted visitors from all over the world. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. ISLE OF MAN SUMMERLAND FIRE | AP Archive Overview. William LeedsI remember going there as a 6 year old. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man Phase I was the Ian Phillips of Birmingham University suggests these reporting discrepancies explain why some sources have given incorrect death tolls of 49, 51, or 53. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . 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. 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. 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. (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.) As kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. 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. 30 Summerland isle of man ideas | summerland, isle of man, isle The concept was so radical that architect Geoffrey Ellis came to the Island to work for Mr 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. 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. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. Summerland. 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 The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. 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). (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.) 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. Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. 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.