Rainbow Valley - telling the stories from the decade that shook the world.

Episode 037 - The Great Escape From Alcatraz (1962)

On today's episode we are travelling to a place that was designed to be the end of the line. A place synonymous with impenetrable security and the bleakest form of penal servitude. It sits starkly in the turbulent, frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay.

For twenty-nine years, from 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary housed America's most notorious, incorrigible criminals. It was a fortress. The official stance was unequivocal: no one had ever successfully escaped Alcatraz and lived to tell the tale.

Yet, in the early hours of June 12, 1962, that carefully constructed image of invincibility was shattered. Three men vanished, leaving behind a mystery that has captivated the world for over sixty decade

Ladies and gentlemen, why not join Scott as he tells you the story of Frank Morris, the Anglin Brothers, and the unthinkable breach of "The Rock."

You can follow the podcast on Twitter @rv_podcast

This has been a Stinking Pause production

Thanks for listening

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 rainbowvalleypod@gmail.com

This has been a Stinking Pause production

Thanks for listening

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 rainbowvalleypod@gmail.com

This has been a Stinking Pause production

Thanks for listening

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/