"So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". Find it on the Isle of Man | Business, Restaurants, Classifieds, Events and more To access your webmail, click Sign In Find it on the Isle of Man Click here to sign into webmail What's On? 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. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. 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. 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. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. 1. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. 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 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. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . 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. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. 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. FREE membership. (en) dbo:thumbnail tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. Mountain retreat in Southern California. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. 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. over 1.7 million (government grant of 600,000). belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. 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. A Cafe. 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. 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 survived that terrible disaster. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. 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. This devastating fire ripped through a leisure centre in the Isle of Man, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. 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. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. The Summerland disaster is the worst day in Manx history and remains the third worst loss of life from fire on land in the British Isles since World War Two. Tehachapi, CA, US. Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. 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. 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. 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. The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. 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). 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. Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. 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 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. It was a climate-controlled building covering 3.5 acres (1.4ha) on Douglas's waterfront, consisting of 50,000sqft (4,600m2) of floor area constructed at a cost of 2 million. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. 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 centre reopened in June 1978. What a great place. Location. Locations. 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental 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. Re: Isle of Man Summerland Fire Yes I remember the fire I was 10 years of age and on holiday with my family. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. In June of 1832, Cholera arrived on the Isle of Man. In The Summerland Story written by Robert Kelly he promotes the centre as a holiday town where it never rains, the wind never blows and the temperature never gets chilly. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. 1. Experts into wreckage of building 4. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. 1. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. This was on the 2nd floor. 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. 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. 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. 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. [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. There's not much left of the place. [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. 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! Jade Harbour Restaurant. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. Summerland was rebuilt, but staff and visitors to the site reported the sounds of screaming, hearing footsteps along empty passages, and occasionally seeing ghostly people wandering around the area. 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. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. 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. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. 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. 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. There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. We felt at the time that it was the beginning of the good times here on the Isle of Man. 5. The queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. It bears the names of those killed in the fire and is set into a circle of paving, alongside a stone laid earlier to mark the 25th anniversary. StewartI 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. The average house price in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 is . Semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey IM8 Just added. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Map. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. . slide somewhere near where the Hilton Hotel is now I think. 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. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. FOR SALE! 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. It was the brain child of Douglas architect, Mr James Phillips Lomas who had been commissioned by Douglas Corporation to design a building which would attract visitors to the Isle of Man whatever the weather. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. i remembr 1968-69 , I worked at White City on the Isle of Man , they were the eight best years of my life. [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. The concept was so radical that architect Geoffrey Ellis came to the Island to work for Mr Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). What a great place. 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 remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . 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. 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. Tehachapi, CA, US. It was all shining, it even smelt new. Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. Manx Forums - A Discussion Board & Classifieds for the Isle of Man. seeing many bodies, young people burned beyond recognition Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. Property reference . [11], One survivor wrote about her experiences from the fire in a book entitled Made in Summerland, which was published in July 2018.[12]. At the time Summerland was one of the most.