Jump to content

Summerland 40Th Anniversary


irishone

Recommended Posts

8 minutes ago, Roxanne said:

You’re comparing the demolition of Dandara’s houses to the Summerland disaster? 

I know you’re not one for debate and will do anything to prove your point but really? 

There's a valid point there.  Particular building regulations may have changed, but the real problem with Summerland wasn't just the ones there (or the lack of them) but the way in which such regulations are made and enforced during construction and indeed in follow-up maintenance.  The real problem is the culture in both government and industry that prioritises other things over safety, attacks anyone who tries to challenge this, and then disclaims all responsibility when things go wrong.

So if housing build 20 years after Summerland now need replacing[1], it means that building and planning regulation/enforcement wasn't working.  If lessons had been learned, they have been forgotten again.  And if something like Grenfell could happen, they certainly weren't learned more widely.

Except maybe that the establishment will always close ranks to protect those who have failed, and the worse the failing and more serious the consequences, the tighter those ranks will be.  And when everyone responsible is finally dead, they might get round to apologising.

 

[1]  This is assuming it actually does and isn't just the usual people wanting lucrative contracts for their mates).

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

39 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said:

There's a valid point there.  Particular building regulations may have changed, but the real problem with Summerland wasn't just the ones there (or the lack of them) but the way in which such regulations are made and enforced during construction and indeed in follow-up maintenance.  The real problem is the culture in both government and industry that prioritises other things over safety, attacks anyone who tries to challenge this, and then disclaims all responsibility when things go wrong.

So if housing build 20 years after Summerland now need replacing[1], it means that building and planning regulation/enforcement wasn't working.  If lessons had been learned, they have been forgotten again.  And if something like Grenfell could happen, they certainly weren't learned more widely.

Except maybe that the establishment will always close ranks to protect those who have failed, and the worse the failing and more serious the consequences, the tighter those ranks will be.  And when everyone responsible is finally dead, they might get round to apologising.

 

[1]  This is assuming it actually does and isn't just the usual people wanting lucrative contracts for their mates).

The Hansard report refers to certain regs being waived.  These included the requirement that the materials for construction of external walls should have a fire resistance of 2 hours. 

However. It was not just a failing of design and construction, but also of operation of the facility where adequate training in emergency plans was not given; failure to raise the alarm with the fire station; staff not knowing who did what in such events; fire foors being chained etc. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, Gladys said:

The Hansard report refers to certain regs being waived.  These included the requirement that the materials for construction of external walls should have a fire resistance of 2 hours. 

However. It was not just a failing of design and construction, but also of operation of the facility where adequate training in emergency plans was not given; failure to raise the alarm with the fire station; staff not knowing who did what in such events; fire foors being chained etc. 

Fire doors in the basement sports courts of the "new" Summerland were still chained shut in the early 90s....

  • Sad 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don’t understand the need for grovelling apologies 50 years down the line, and I certainly don’t see the need for a new enquiry. There’s been similar nonsense being spouted by some people about the Valley Parade fire of 1985, as though dredging up the past when everyone involved is dead or 90 makes any difference to anything.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Numbnuts said:

no they weren’t . Fact… I worked there in those days .

They were....I used to partake of a "little sporting exercise" down there of a Sunday evening and I and colleagues often used to look at them and ask how we would get out in the eventuality of...?

This was the doors by the 5 a side pitches in the basement btw.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Ringy Rose said:

I don’t understand the need for grovelling apologies 50 years down the line, and I certainly don’t see the need for a new enquiry. There’s been similar nonsense being spouted by some people about the Valley Parade fire of 1985, as though dredging up the past when everyone involved is dead or 90 makes any difference to anything.

TBF, I understand the need for some kind of contrition for the avoidable pain and suffering physical and mental that was caused.  Very often that is all that is wanted, an acknowledgement that the victims actually matter.   It is the other side of the coin to forgiveness.  

A memorial, big or small is not quite the same no matter what vociferous local campaigners may say. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Non-Believer said:

They were....I used to partake of a "little sporting exercise" down there of a Sunday evening and I and colleagues often used to look at them and ask how we would get out in the eventuality of...?

This was the doors by the 5 a side pitches in the basement btw.

If I remember correctly, and it was 50 years ago, the doors that were locked were the doors which opened onto the MER line below the pedestrian bridge.  It was also the entrance to the Cave (?) and the  concern was people getting in without paying the entry fee.   Again, down to the operators. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Ringy Rose said:

Absolutely, but I’m unsure how a grovelling apology from a man who was five years old when it happened is going to achieve that.

It would be an apology from the IOM Government which, as we know, has been in continuous existence for over 1,000 years. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...