The Black Cat and Top Hat

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The Black Cat and Top Hat The Black Cat and Top Hat - Evenings of Burlesque, Cabaret, Magic, Mystery and Mayhem
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The origins of The Black Cat and Top Hat Eccentrics Society can be traced back to the infamous Hellfire Clubs founded by Philip Wharton, 1st Duke of Wharton in 1719. These clubs were rumored to be the meeting places of "persons of quality" who wished to take part in immoral acts

Sir Captain Gray was the “business” man and friend of Wharton Family who owned a fleet of ships and other sailing vesse

ls who founded The Black Cat and Top Hat Eccentrics Society in around 1896. It is rumored that he was involved with diamond smuggling in Africa, this is where he gained most of his wealth and power within the high class members of society of the time

Sadly little more is known about the ill fated Captain as he along with his ship the Defiance vanished after a battle at sea assumingly with pirates in 1905

On hearing the news of Sir Captain Gray’s disappearance his mistress Elizabeth used the influence of her lover’s wealth and power to continue The Black Cat and Top Eccentrics Society in the hope that one day Sir Gray would return to her side

It was only after Elizabeth’s death 1911 at 50 from pneumonia which was a hindered by her suffering from tuberculosis it was discovered that she was in fact a relation to John Lucas who during the late 1500’s along with his business partners & associates Ab Eynon, Robert de Scurlage and the Mansel’s of Henlly’s were “ship wreckers” and smugglers of contraband many years before. This band of fortune-hunters were linked to Salt House and Culver Hole situated in Port Eynon on The Gower in South Wales which was said to be some kind of garrison for their operations

The modern day version now simply known as The Black Cat and Top Hat is run by Nick Painless and his wife Heleena. For those that think that this is merely yarns in order to sound good on parchment think again. Heleena is also in fact a descendant of John Lucas on her maternal grandfather’s side of the family

So now you know the history of these exploits we invite you to come and join us for evenings of burlesque, cabaret, magic, mystery and mayhem in their honor just like generations ago

10/08/2024
If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music an...
09/08/2024

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered

Here’s the podcast version of the show

Original Broadcast Date – 7th August 2024
Show Number – 098

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered Here’s the podcast version of the show Original Broadcast Date – 7th August 2024 Show Number – 098

09/08/2024

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08/08/2024

On this day 1969 – At a zebra crossing in London, photographer Iain Macmillan takes the iconic photo that becomes the cover image of the Beatles' album Abbey Road

Join me Nick Painless for the , Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and cultureEvery Wednes...
07/08/2024

Join me Nick Painless for the , Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture

Every Wednesday evening between 7 and 9pm (UK Time)

On the show today there is going to be music from the likes of Nirvana, H.I.M, Stereophonics, The Smashing Pumpkins, Static-X, and The White Stripes to name a few

Tune in on FM 104.6, listen online via the station’s website (www.vectisradio.com), the mobile app or your smart speaker

07/08/2024

Useless Information - You can yo-yo in space

06/08/2024

On this day 2012 – NASA's Curiosity rover lands on the surface of Mars

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music an...
05/08/2024

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered

Here’s the podcast version of the show

Original Broadcast Date – 31st July 2024
Show Number – 097

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered Here’s the podcast version of the show Original Broadcast Date – 31sy July 2024 Show Number – 097

Join me Nick Painless, for the Monday Afternoon Show between 1 and 4pm UK Time on the award winning Vectis Radio sponsor...
05/08/2024

Join me Nick Painless, for the Monday Afternoon Show between 1 and 4pm UK Time on the award winning Vectis Radio sponsored by WightFibre

I will be bringing you today’s travel report, news and information from around the Island, some trivia and this week’s cinema listings

In the second hour of the show, John Goodenough from Care In The Garden will becoming into the studio for a chat

If that wasn’t enough there will also be local music from He**ai Babies, Kindred Found, and Bedlam Beach

Tune into FM 104.6 or listen to the show online (www.vectisradio.com), via the mobile app or your smart speaker

05/08/2024

Useless Information - The Moon looks upside down in the Southern Hemisphere

04/08/2024

On this day 2007 – NASA's Phoenix spacecraft is launched

03/08/2024

Useless Information - Hippos can’t swim

03/08/2024

On this day 1900 – The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is founded

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music an...
02/08/2024

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered

Here’s the podcast version of the show

Original Broadcast Date – 31st July 2024
Show Number – 097

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered Here’s the podcast version of the show Original Broadcast Date – 31sy July 2024 Show Number – 097

01/08/2024

Useless Information - Finland is the happiest country on Earth

01/08/2024

On the day 1965 – Frank Herbert's novel, Dune was published for the first time. It was named as the world's best-selling science fiction novel in 2003

Join me Nick Painless for the , Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and cultureEvery Wednes...
31/07/2024

Join me Nick Painless for the , Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture

Every Wednesday evening between 7 and 9pm (UK Time)

On the show today there is going to be music from the likes of Nirvana, Judas Priest, Stereophonics, Blink-182, Alice In Chains and Foo Fighters to name a few

Tune in on FM 104.6, listen online via the station’s website (www.vectisradio.com), the mobile app or your smart speaker

30/07/2024

Useless Information - Deaf people are known to use sign language in their sleep

30/07/2024

On this day 2006 – The world's longest running music show Top of the Pops is broadcast for the last time on BBC Two. The show had aired for 42 years

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music an...
29/07/2024

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered

Here’s the podcast version of the show

Original Broadcast Date – 24th July 2024
Show Number – 096

If you missed the original airing of The Boiler Room, Vectis Radio’s only show that is dedicated to alternative music and culture, don’t worry Nick Painless has got you covered Here’s the podcast version of the show Original Broadcast Date – 24th July 2024 Show Number – 096

Join me Nick Painless, for the Monday Afternoon Show between 1 and 4pm UK Time on the award winning Vectis Radio sponsor...
29/07/2024

Join me Nick Painless, for the Monday Afternoon Show between 1 and 4pm UK Time on the award winning Vectis Radio sponsored by WightFibre

Today I will bringing you travel updates, along with news and information from around the Island

There will be music from local artists Wight Hot Pipes, Gweido, and Emelia

Tune into FM 104.6 or listen to the show online (www.vectisradio.com), via the mobile app or your smart speaker

28/07/2024

Useless Information - There’s no such thing as a straight line

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