On August 2nd 1973 disaster struck the Isle of Man when 50 people died and many more were injured in the Summerland fire disaster.
40 years on, to the day, a service of remembrance and dedication of a memorial to the victims was held in the Kaye Memorial Garden on Queen’s Promenade, Douglas.
Arranged by Douglas Borough Council the event served to honour those who died, pay tribute to the courage of all those who helped, not least members of the emergency services, and to acknowledge the loss felt by the families, friends and survivors when the seven-storey leisure complex was destroyed by fire.
That loss continues to be felt by the Manx nation to the present day.
And so it was that the dedication of the memorial - three simple granite columns bearing the names and ages of the 50 victims – provided an opportunity for people to come together and reflect quietly on an event described by Council Leader Councillor David Christian as ‘one of the most tragic events in modern-day Manx history’.
The Archdeacon of Man, the Ven Andrew Brown, who led the service and read out the victims’ names and ages before dedicating the memorial said Douglas Borough Council was to be commended for recognising the disaster ‘in a most fitting way’; prayers were led by the Rev Fr Canon Phillip Gillespie; and the Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Rt Revd Robert Paterson, gave a blessing in English and Manx.
In her address, the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Carol Malarkey, said: ‘Even now the tragic events of that evening linger prominently in the memories of those who were involved in any way, and even of those who were not, but lived here at the time.’
She continued: ‘I feel that the Island has never quite come to terms with the tragedy, and maybe never will. So it is fitting that a memorial be placed here, within sight of where the event took place.’
Councillor Christian continued: ‘This was a tragedy that resonated far beyond these shores. The Summerland fire was a disaster that touched not only a whole town and a whole nation but also whole communities much further afield. In the days leading up to the service I was deeply moved to learn how acutely a sense of sadness and loss continues to be felt by so many people throughout the British Isles. I was also humbled to hear of so many individual acts of bravery and selflessness shown that tragic evening.
‘The Summerland disaster was and remains one of the Island’s darkest days. With the passage of time, however, links with that fateful event become fewer. The Council therefore determined that the 40th anniversary of the tragedy should be marked by a permanent memorial to all those who perished.
‘The service and act of dedication, orchestrated with great sensitivity by officers and staff of Douglas Borough Council, has helped bring a sense of closure to the tragic events of that evening 40 years ago and it has been gratifying to receive so many expressions of thanks extended to the Council for providing such a fitting focal point for quiet contemplation.
‘In the peaceful setting of the Kaye Memorial Garden the memorial will stand forever to show that we, the people of Douglas and the Manx nation, will never forget.’
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