Summerland - 50 Years On

Radio Manx Ltd
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Programmes and archive audio looking back at the development of the Summerland complex, the horrific disaster and it's aftermath and the wider effects to survivors, the Manx public and Manx Tourism.

  1. Remembering Summerland - interviews with survivors

    08/02/2023

    Remembering Summerland - interviews with survivors

    Today (2 August) marks fifty years since the devastating fire at the Summerland leisure centre on Douglas promenade, during which 50 people died and around 80 were injured. In recent weeks we've heard the detailed stories from survivors and victims' families.  In this edition, Lewis Foster speaks to Jackie Hallam from Huddersfield who was just 12 when she escaped the Summerland fire with life-changing burns but lost her Mum and best friend in the blaze. Also, Robert Wilson who was caught in the fire during his holiday from Northern Ireland, and Tina Brennan, who witnessed the fire and has long campaigned for the victims to be appropriately remembered. We speak also to the Chief Minister about calls to change the verdict of 'misadventure' recorded at the inquest into the deaths. The podcast ends with a reading of Robert Wilson's own poem 'Embers', written in honour of those who lost their lives.

    35 min
  2. Will they return?

    08/02/2023

    Will they return?

    In the final part of a special series reflecting back on "Summerland - 50 Years on", looking at how tourism led to the building and development of the complex and also reflecting on the night of the fire that brought a distressing end to it, John Moss asks 'where is Manx tourism going?' as the current Government looks to attract half a million visitors annually to the Island.

    25 min
  3. The Night of the Fire

    08/02/2023

    The Night of the Fire

    50 years ago, on August 2nd 1973, a fire at the Summerland Complex in Douglas claimed 50 lives. This is the second in a special series presented by John Moss, with this programme reflecting on the night of the tragedy itself. *This programme contains material that some may find distressing*

    25 min

  4. 08/01/2023

    The Road to Summerland

    In the autumn of 1968 construction started on a huge holiday complex on the Derby Castle site at the north end of Douglas Promenade, and was to be called Summerland. But why did the normally conservative Island authorities throw their weight behind such an expensive tourism facility? How did the beaches of Benidorm and the Costa Blanca set the Island on a path that was to end tragically on the night of August 2nd 1973?

    25 min

  5. 07/31/2023

    Summerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the time

    Compilation of reports and interviews. Includes News report morning after (Peter Kneale), with Chief Constable Statement, Alan Jackson on site report , Announcements, brief statement from Mayor of Douglas, On site report the morning after, as well as additional features (possibly from BBC) including interviews with one of the architects, a representative from the manufacturers of the roofing material “Oroglas”, and an additional report about sentencing of boys who started the fire.

    31 min

  6. 07/31/2023

    Summerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the time

    More of Alan Jackson’s live report – PLEASE NOTE: audio ends suddenly, mid-phrase.

    13 min

  7. 07/31/2023

    Summerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the time

    Manx Radio Broadcast, 3/8/1973 – Chief Constable Frank Weedon’s statement, Alan Jackson’s live report

    7 min

  8. 07/31/2023

    Summerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the time

    Mary Clague – sister at Nobles, discussing her memories of treating people injured in the fire.

    3 min
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About

Programmes and archive audio looking back at the development of the Summerland complex, the horrific disaster and it's aftermath and the wider effects to survivors, the Manx public and Manx Tourism.

Information

  • Creator
    Radio Manx Ltd
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Radio Manx Ltd
  • Show Website
    Summerland - 50 Years On