<![CDATA[Summerland - 50 Years On]]>f6f26f07-2c70-5440-905a-f2ecfa448e12Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:45:00 +0000Captivate.fmRadio Manx Ltdhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/4a692dcb-456a-4b41-81d0-1fb72e12c277/64ad35a156dcb.jpgSummerland - 50 Years OnRadio Manx LtdRadio Manx LtdProgrammes 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.https://www.manxradio.com/podcasts/summerland-50-years-on/falseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/summerland-50-years-on/nopodcastRemembering Summerland - interviews with survivorsRemembering Summerland - interviews with survivorsToday (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.

]]>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.

]]>o61-4373-64ca5c370ba35Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:37:59 +010034:43falsefullRadio Manx LtdWill they return?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.

]]>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.

]]>o61-4373-64ca1d38dc9e6Wed, 02 Aug 2023 09:09:12 +010024:44falsefullRadio Manx LtdThe Night of the FireThe Night of the Fire50 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*

]]>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*

]]>o61-4373-64ca1a712cd6fWed, 02 Aug 2023 08:57:00 +010024:44falsefullRadio Manx LtdThe Road to SummerlandThe Road to SummerlandIn 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?

]]>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?

]]>o61-4373-64c9341f5fabcTue, 01 Aug 2023 16:34:39 +010024:43falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeCompilation 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.

]]>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.

]]>o61-4373-64c7a44585f87Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:08:37 +010030:43falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeMore of Alan Jackson’s live report – PLEASE NOTE: audio ends suddenly, mid-phrase.

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

]]>o61-4373-64c7a3c07c07cMon, 31 Jul 2023 12:06:24 +010013:03falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeManx Radio Broadcast, 3/8/1973 – Chief Constable Frank Weedon’s statement, Alan Jackson’s live report

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

]]>o61-4373-64c7a381f095dMon, 31 Jul 2023 12:05:21 +010007:25falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeMary Clague – sister at Nobles, discussing her memories of treating people injured in the fire.

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

]]>o61-4373-64c7a345f3407Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:04:00 +010002:50falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeHenry Callow – discussing the identification of bodies, the inquests, and the formal inquiry.

]]>Henry Callow – discussing the identification of bodies, the inquests, and the formal inquiry.

]]>o61-4373-64c7a30537c81Mon, 31 Jul 2023 12:03:17 +010002:44falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeKen Harding – worked at Summerland, discussing his role in trying to fight the fire, evacuating people from the building, and structural
issues that made the fire as bad as it was (NOTE: audio drops out part way through – continues later in the conversation)

]]>Ken Harding – worked at Summerland, discussing his role in trying to fight the fire, evacuating people from the building, and structural
issues that made the fire as bad as it was (NOTE: audio drops out part way through – continues later in the conversation)

]]>o61-4373-64c7a1dd5dc93Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:58:21 +010004:56falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Memorial - 2006Summerland Memorial - 2006In late September 2006 - 33 years after the fire - Bishop Graeme Knowles (at that time the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man) organised a
memorial service on the Summerland site, to mark the demolition of the second Summerland building, and some vestigial remains of the
original building ……
This audio file is that service, and is included really because it includes a roll call of those who died, and reinforces the fact that some families lost multiple members …..

]]>In late September 2006 - 33 years after the fire - Bishop Graeme Knowles (at that time the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man) organised a
memorial service on the Summerland site, to mark the demolition of the second Summerland building, and some vestigial remains of the
original building ……
This audio file is that service, and is included really because it includes a roll call of those who died, and reinforces the fact that some families lost multiple members …..

]]>o61-4373-64c79fdfcb685Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:49:51 +010023:02falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeRoger Payne - Police officer on duty, recalling his role in the events on the night, and in helping identify the bodies

]]>Roger Payne - Police officer on duty, recalling his role in the events on the night, and in helping identify the bodies

]]>o61-4373-64c7a18cee531Sun, 30 Jul 2023 23:00:00 +010004:15falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the timeSummerland Fire Archive - Interviews from the time0’00” – 1’45” Chief Const. Frank Weedon, 1’45” – 1’58” News reader’s
link, 1’59” – end Alan Jackson reports from the scene.

]]>0’00” – 1’45” Chief Const. Frank Weedon, 1’45” – 1’58” News reader’s
link, 1’59” – end Alan Jackson reports from the scene.

]]>o61-4373-64c7a0eab0904Sun, 30 Jul 2023 23:00:00 +010007:21falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland: National Service of Remembrance Summerland: National Service of Remembrance o61-4373-64c688c3e3d1eSun, 30 Jul 2023 15:58:59 +010051:54falsefullRadio Manx LtdSummerland; The Full Story - Coming SoonSummerland; The Full Story - Coming Soon50 Years on from the disastrous fire, John Moss explores Summerland; The Full Story in a special three part series. 

]]>50 Years on from the disastrous fire, John Moss explores Summerland; The Full Story in a special three part series. 

]]>o61-4373-64ad3740be416Tue, 11 Jul 2023 11:04:32 +010000:38falsefullRadio Manx Ltd