EVENTS
Since the announcement back in November we now have more information for you :
The all – important registration form can be found HERE. Please complete and return to us.
The Inflation Day pilot guidelines can be found HERE. Please read and inwardly digest.
Unless things change, it will be a cash – only event so please bring plenty with you including £5 for the 2024 pin.
Well, here we go again – preparations have begun as the next Inflation Day fast approaches, and I’m pleased to announce once again David Hopkins has agreed to host the event, for which we are extremely grateful! That means that the event will be held on David’s land just off Fen Road, Pidley near Huntingdon where we had the 2022 event (here’s hoping for ballooning weather!) with the chosen date being:
Saturday 27th April 2024
It’s early days with the planning but one or two minor changes over entry have already been agreed! As before, we are very keen to encourage pilots to bring a balloon and bottom end and will offer pilot plus 2 free entry tickets, (balloon envelope only will gain one free entry) no charge for anyone 16 years and under! Balloon registration will be required prior to the event – the form will appear on the BBM&L website in the new year and be available at Icicle. BBM&L Friends and LAASi members (I’m very pleased to say that LAASi have again agreed to sponsor the event) will pay an entry donation of £5 (proof of current membership will be required and MUST be shown on the gate – no proof then the charge will be £10). ALL OTHER visitors will be charged a £10 entry! With no bank card facilities available at the gate, please bring CASH (don’t forget enough for a commemorative event pin (£5), remember we are a charity, and this is one of the major fund-raising events in our calendar!
Whilst there are many modern balloons registered prior to 1974, we have chosen this year as representing a 50-year celebration of modern ballooning, (1974 to 2024) as a theme, but of course as ever, all balloons are welcome to attend – especially early ones! Being on David Hopkins private land there will be limited facilities, but toilets and a food wagon will be available. Most of the event area will be on grass so disabled access will be difficult but never-the-less will be most welcome! Lakeside Lodge Golf centre is at the bottom of Fen Road and has very good facilities, including bookable accommodation as most who have attended previous events will be aware!
Briefing is planned to be 08:30 but will be confirmed nearer the date. Any balloons registered on or before 27th April 2009 and registered for the event could be eligible for a prize, and as ever selected winners will be at the discretion of the BBM&L Council and relating to the achievements on the day, prize winners will be announced at prize giving which will take place at a time to be announced towards the end of the afternoon!
The BBM&L is looking forward to hosting the event once again and hope the weather will be kind on the day! Put the date in your diaries and we look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday 27th April 2024.
Tim Turner
BBM&L Secretary & Event Co-Ordinator
COLLECTIONS
Envelopes, Baskets and Burners
In these pages, you can see a small selection of some of the items we have in store, including Envelopes, Baskets, Burners and Gondolas. Explore the Envelopes gallery, which has a detailed history of each item in the collection.
Our photo collection
A selection of images from our extensive photographic collection. The Museum has an amazing collections of black and white photographs dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s.
Books, magazines and memorabilia
A selection of the books and magazines contained in our collection. The BBM&L is pleased to accept donations of balloon literature of any kind.
NEWS
View a selection of articles from our member magazine.
As a thank you, we are offering you the chance to peak inside our quarterly membership magazine, Trailrope, to get a taste of the fascinating history of ballooning.
- BBAC Diploma awarded to Angela LickorishThe picture shows a surprised and delighted Angela Lickorish being presented with a BBAC Diploma by President Don Cameron at the AGM. The Diploma is […]
- International Women’s DayOn this International Women’s Day we wanted to highlight an extraordinary woman in the world of ballooning. Sophie Blanchard (1778 – 1819) was not […]
- Daffodil & Golden Eagle, Spring 1972.Although it has not felt much like it recently, Spring is almost here, and lovely sunny daffodils are appearing up and down the country. This brought […]
- Happy St Valentine’s DayHappy Valentine’s Day – Love is in the Air! Just to remind you it’s also a Leap Year and although this may sound a bit outdated now, a Leap Year has […]
- Scott & Shackleton’s balloon in AntarcticaOn 3 February, 1902, Robert F. Scott’s British National Antarctic Expedition was on its way back to McMurdo Sound in the Ross Sea of Antarctica. […]
This Day In History
- 1889 Percival Green Spencer, oldest son of C.Green, grandson of Edward; and brother of balloonists Arthur & Stanley, flew from Calcutta (India) in "Emperess of India. Small balloon took 4 days to fill due to poor quality of gas. Ascent was made at 4PM from the Racecourse in a parachute harness, without a apex valve. The balloon climbed to 4000' and landed at Baetcrli-Abad, after covering 40-miles. Source: Who is Who in Ballooning