Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Join your host, Scott, as he tells the tale of Viv Nicholson—a name synonymous with extravagance, drama, and unapologetic living. When this spirited pools winner declared she’d “spend, spend, spend!” after scooping £152,319 in 1961, she didn’t just ignite public imagination—she carved her name into British cultural history

Episode 036 - Spend Spend Spend – The Rise and Fall of Viv Nicholson (1961)

1961 – the sixties haven’t really started swinging just yet, the Beatles were still finding their feet, and rationing was still a fresh memory for some 

Then BAM! Viv Nicholson and her husband Keith, from Castleford strike it richer than a triple-chocolate gateau, pocketing a cool £152,000. In today's money, that's enough to make your eyes pop and your Monzo card spontaneously combust. 

Now, Viv wasn't one for dithering or asking a financial advisor. Oh no. When the reporters buzzed around like bees to a jam scone, asking what she’d do with the money, out came those three little words that cemented her place in British folklore: "Spend, spend, spend!" And did she ever! It wasn't just a motto; it was practically a royal decree. 

Forget sensible shares or boring bonds. Our Viv was all about the high life – think champagne wishes and caviar dreams, but with a proper Yorkshire accent. Cars, clothes, holidays… if it glittered, Viv was probably signing a cheque for it. The fortune famously vanished quicker than a pint on a hot day, but honestly, the sheer audacity, the pure, unadulterated joy of it all? That’s the stuff legends are made of. Viv Nicholson, – she came, she saw, she shopped.  

Ladies and gentlemen, why not join Scott as he tells you the story of  Spend Spend Spend – The Rise and Fall of Viv Nicholson. 

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Scott

Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Join your host, Scott, as he continues the story of the death of a young woman and a man destined to become President of the USA.

Episode 035 - Chappaquiddick Part Two (1969)

9:32 am – Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday July 16th 1969 and Apollo 11 blasts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida 

On board, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, carrying the hopes and dreams of the American public, eager to see the fulfillment of John F Kennedys promise to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. 

72 hours later and 1300 miles away at Edgartown police station, Martha’s Vineyard, Edward, the youngest, and last surviving of the four Kennedy brothers, was putting the final touches to a carefully written statement – not a speech to some multi national corporation or an address to his fellow senators in Washington, but a 240 word police statement that would cost him the trust of the American people and also his chance of ever becoming President himself. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the conclusion to Chappaquiddick 

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast

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Scott

Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Join your host, Scott, for the story of the death of a young woman and a man destined to become President of the USA.

Episode 034 - Chappaquiddick Part One (1969)

July 16th 1969 and the world watched in awe as Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy in Florida carrying the promise that President John F Kennedy had made to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. 

1300 miles further north, some 36 or so hours later, the spotlight would turn to the youngest of JFK’s brothers, Teddy, and Chappaquiddick island at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

For it was on this evening that Senator Edward Kennedy would accidentally drive his car off the island’s Dike Bridge into Poucha’s Pond. An accident that would claim the life of his 28-year-old passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, who was trapped inside the vehicle. 

Inquests, inquiries and court hearings would follow over the next year, uncovering a tale of deceit and cover ups. An accident that would rob Kennedy of his chance of ever becoming President and claim the life of a young woman who many believe could have been saved. 

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast

Or send us your thoughts and feedback at [email protected]

This has been a Stinking Pause production

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Scott

Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Join your host, Scott, as this week he recounts the tale of Goldie—the golden eagle who soared into the hearts of Londoners in 1965 with his daring escapades!

Episode 033 - Goldie And His Bid For Freedom

Picture this: it’s a chilly February day, and Goldie, a majestic golden eagle residing at London Zoo, decides he’s had enough of the cage life. While his keepers are cleaning his enclosure, Goldie seizes the moment and takes off into the skies above Regent’s Park, leaving behind his mate, Regina, and a trail of chaos.

For the next 12 days, Goldie became the talk of the town. He wasn’t just any escapee; he was a celebrity. Crowds flocked to Regent’s Park to catch a glimpse of the rebellious raptor, causing traffic jams as drivers circled the area hoping for a sighting. Goldie, meanwhile, was living his best life—gliding over the park, exploring nearby neighborhoods like Camden Town and Tottenham Court Road, and occasionally indulging in some predatory mischief. He even made headlines for snacking on a duck in the garden of Winfield House, the residence of the U.S. Ambassador. Talk about dining in style!

The zoo’s keepers tried everything to lure Goldie back. They borrowed equipment from the Royal Navy and Civil Defence Corps, and even enlisted the help of BBC reporter John Timpson, who attempted to charm Goldie with an Ethiopian bird pipe. Spoiler alert: Goldie wasn’t impressed. He also had a run-in with two terriers in the park, but their owner managed to fend him off. Goldie was clearly enjoying his freedom, and the British public couldn’t get enough of his antics. He was even mentioned in a debate in the House of Commons, where MPs greeted his name with cheers.

Eventually, hunger got the better of Goldie. On March 11, the zoo’s deputy head keeper tempted him with a dead rabbit, and Goldie swooped down for what would be his last picnic in the park. The keeper approached quietly, secured Goldie’s legs, and brought him back to the zoo. Goldie was in good health and reunited with Regina, much to the delight of visitors. In fact, the zoo’s attendance nearly doubled after his return—Goldie was a true crowd-puller.

But Goldie wasn’t done with his Houdini act. Later that year, in December, he escaped again! This time, his freedom lasted only four days before he was recaptured. Goldie’s escapades cemented his status as one of London Zoo’s most famous residents, and his story remains a delightful chapter in the city’s history.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast

Or send us your thoughts and feedback at [email protected]

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Scott

Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Episode 032 - Tere Jo Dupperault - Orphan of the Sea (1961)

The name Tere Jo Duperrault resonates with a chilling tale of survival and unfathomable tragedy. In 1961, at the tender age of 11, she became the sole survivor of a horrific crime that unfolded aboard the sailing yacht "Bluebelle," a voyage that transformed from a family vacation into a nightmare. Her story is a testament to the remarkable resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable adversity.

The Duperrault family, seeking a tranquil escape, chartered the "Bluebelle" for a sailing excursion. However, this idyllic journey was abruptly and violently shattered by the actions of Julian Harvey, the ship's captain. Harvey, for reasons that remain shrouded in a complex web of motivations, murdered the entire Duperrault family. In the wake of this heinous act, Tere Jo was left adrift in the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, a solitary figure facing the unforgiving elements.

For four agonizing days, Tere Jo endured a harrowing ordeal that tested the limits of human endurance. Adrift on a small, fragile cork float, she battled the relentless sun, the gnawing pangs of dehydration, and the searing pain of severe sunburn. The vastness of the ocean, the isolation, and the constant threat of the elements created an environment of unimaginable terror. Yet, against all odds, she clung to life, her survival instinct propelling her through each grueling hour.

Her eventual rescue by the crew of a Greek freighter marked the end of her physical ordeal, but the emotional and psychological scars of the trauma would endure. The world watched in stunned disbelief as the story of the young girl who survived against all odds unfolded. The incident garnered international attention, and Tere Jo's survival became a symbol of human resilience.

Following her rescue, Tere Jo sought to rebuild her life, choosing to live a life of relative privacy away from the public eye. The enormity of her experience, the loss of her family, and the trauma of her ordeal required time and space for healing.

In later years, Tere Jo, now known as Tere Duperrault Fassbender, chose to share her story, collaborating with Richard D. Logan Phd to document her experiences in a book. This decision to speak out was not driven by a desire for fame but by a desire to share a testament to the human capacity for survival and to honour the memory of her family. Her narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength that can be found in the face of unimaginable adversity.

The story of Tere Jo Duperrault remains a powerful and enduring narrative, a stark reminder of the darkest depths of human depravity and the extraordinary power of the human spirit to endure. It is a story that continues to resonate, prompting reflection on the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of trauma.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast

Or send us your thoughts and feedback at [email protected]

This has been a Stinking Pause production

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Scott

Rainbow Valley - bringing you the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Episode 031 - Sinatra at the Sands (1966)

January/February 1966 and Frank Sinatra is headlining at the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Performing twice a day with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, conducted by Quincy Jones, there is no doubt that Sinatra was at the top of his game. Having turned fifty only a few weeks before, he never sounded better and had the audience in the palm of his hand.  

Over a period of seven days, some of those 90-minute concerts were recorded for what was to become surprisingly, Sinatra's first commercially available live album, and one of the greatest live albums of all time. 

Ladies and gentlemen – Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of Sinatra at the Sands 

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast

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Scott

Rainbow Valley - The Sixties Podcast.

Telling the stories from the decade that shook the world.

The Apollo One Disaster

January 27th 1967, US astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee way made their way into a brand new spacecraft perched atop a large powerful Saturn Five rocket at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. A routine dress rehearsal, and one of many, for their approaching launch into orbit less than a month away.

All three astronauts were experienced pilots, all harbouring dreams of one day setting foot on the moon. But little did they know, nor did anyone else, that once they entered the spacecraft that chilly winters day, they would never leave it alive.

The Apollo programme would be dangerously close to cancellation before it even got off the ground.

The Apollo spacecraft was condemned from the start, comprising of miles of uninsulated wiring, tons of flammable materials confined in an atmosphere consisting of pure oxygen, and a hatch that wouldn’t open.

Public opinion was already turning against the space race, and the events of that January evening did nothing to boost their confidence in the programme.

It is a story not only of how America continued to fulfil its destiny of placing a man on the moon, but also a valiant tale of the three American heroes who lost their lives in a horrific accident

Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of Apollo One.

Don't forget you can also listen to our weekly sixties chart show evey Sunday on Mixcloud.

Link below:

https://www.mixcloud.com/scophi/rainbow-valley-sixties-chart-show-5th-march-2023/

On August 1st 1960, an album on the Warner Brothers label reached number one in the Billboard Mono Action Albums Chart. It was the debut album for this particular artist and would remain at the top for fourteen weeks. The album would stay in the chart for two years selling over 600,000 copies near release and ranking as the 20th best selling album of all time on the Billboard charts.

Its total running time was just short of thirty two minutes, it consisted of just six tracks, and was a recording of a live performance

It won album of the year at the 1961 Grammy awards as well as best new artist for its performer. Yet this was no pop, folk or rock album. It was the first comedy album to win album of the year and the only time that a comedian had won best artist.

That comedian was Bob Newhart and this particular album saved the struggling Warner Brothers Records label and changed the face of modern comedy and the way the world experienced stand up forever.

Ladies and gentlemen, Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of The Button Down Mind Of Bob Newhart.

Don't forget you can also listen to our weekly sixties chart show evey Sunday on Mixcloud.

Link below:

https://www.mixcloud.com/scophi/rainbow-valley-sixties-chart-show-5th-march-2023/

The Aberfan Disaster

9:13am on October 21st 1966, Pantglas School in the small Welsh mining village of Aberfan

Inside the school, more than 200 children and nine teachers were waiting for their first lesson of the day to begin when the air was filled with the sound of a distant rumble.

A massive coal tip - a mountain of waste generated by the town's mines that employed 8000 people had collapsed and a landslide of mud and debris flooded into the classroom, burying the school and engufing everyone inside

116 children and 28 adults were killed

It was one of the worst industrial disasters Britain has ever seen. An accident that could and should have been prevented and a tragic account of a mistake that cost a village an entire generation of its children.

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast 

Join our Facebook group at Facebook/rainbowvalleypodcast 

Or send us your thoughts and feedback to [email protected]

You can also listen to our weekly sixties chart rundown at:

https://www.mixcloud.com/scophi/rainbow-valley-sixties-chart-show-1st-january-1960/

This has been a Stinking Pause production.

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Scott

1966: The Year We Won...And Lost The World Cup

As we head rapidly towards the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, you may be forgiven for thinking that this episode must surely recount the tale of how England won the world cup in the summer of 1966.

You wouldn’t be far off though as this episode of Rainbow Valley is the story of not how we won the World Cup that summer, but how we lost it.

Three months before the World Cup finals were due to take place, the much coveted solid gold Jules Rimet trophy sat proudly on display in central London only to be stolen in what could only be described as a daylight robbery.

Fast forward a week or so and the thief is apprehended but no sign of the most famous sporting trophy in world….until an incredible canine steps in to save the day.

Ladies and gentlemen Rainbow Valley is proud to present the story of Pickles-the unlikely hero of the 1966 World Cup final

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast 

Join our Facebook group at Facebook/rainbowvalleypodcast 

Or send us your thoughts and feedback to [email protected]

This has been a Stinking Pause production.

Thanks for listening

Scott