British Balloon Museum and Library

Become a Friend

Will you help preserve the history of ballooning?

The history of hot-air and gas ballooning is important and fascinating, but it is fast in danger of being lost. The BBM&L was formed in 1979 with the purpose of trying to preserve the many items associated with this very popular activity.

As a registered charity, it is run entirely by volunteers and is funded by subscriptions from Friends and some donations.

We have saved about 100 historic balloons and built up a large collection of equipment such as balloon burners, baskets, instruments and a wide range of ballooning memorabilia such as stamps, posters, prints, cards, models, photographs, trophies, badges etc.

There is also a comprehensive collection of books, technical papers and magazines held for us at Cranfield University.

We have displays in the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester, the Berkshire Museum of Aviation in Woodley, and now the BBM&L has a mobile display unit, which can be taken to events, displays and schools to further interest.

Friends are asked to pay an annual subscription of £10 which brings access to all these collections, regular issues of our newsletter, Trailrope, and one of the much-prized BBM&L lapel badges. There are Inflation Days when historic balloons are given an airing and a great Annual Luncheon. Most important is the knowledge that you are helping to save what could so easily be lost.

As a registered charity, the BBM&L may claim a tax refund through the Inland Revenue’s 'Gift Aid' scheme, based on subscriptions from those Friends who are UK taxpayers. The Application Form asks you to confirm that you pay UK tax and are agreeable to this. You can also subscribe online by scrolling down to the bottom of this page and clicking on the link.