Mike and Debbie Scholes land early on Atlantic flight.

 

British Transatlantic Balloon couple, Mike and Deborah Scholes, have now safely retrieved their balloon, G-Z0Z0 from its remote landing site in central south Newfoundland and it is its way back to the UK.

 

A combination of issues during the flight, sadly led to a forced early landing and the premature ending of the attempt for Deborah, to become the first lady balloonist to captain a balloon across the Atlantic and for Mike to be the first registered blind crew.

 

Deborah said: “With any big challenge like this there’s always a level of risk involved and that’s why it’s essential to put safety first and make sure that everything is working just as it should before you take that final step over the ocean. We are now carefully gathering all the information together concerning the technical issues that we encountered, not only for the benefit and safety of any further Atlantic crossing attempts we might make but also for the wider ballooning community.”

 

This is not quite how they had planned to return home, but they are safely back home in UK and probably already planning their next adventure.

Visit their website for more information, pictures and interviews.

The Most Exciting Flight to take place Across the Atlantic since 2007

Deborah Scholes and her registered blind husband Mike plan to take on the exciting and daring challenge of flying their specially built balloon non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. After taking off from Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, they will fly over land for 200 miles before at least 2,527 miles over water.

The Challenge is being followed by Guinness World Records and if successful, Deborah will be the First Lady to captain a balloon across the Atlantic and Mike the first registered blind person to crew. The flight will also help to promote Blind Veterans UK, a charity that has helped Mike since his sight loss.

Deborah is probably the only British lady to hold a Rozier balloon pilot’s license as well as licenses for gas and hot air balloons. She enjoys challenging flights and has flown balloons across the English and Bristol Channels, over the Alps and up to an altitude of 23,180ft, an unofficial women’s British record.

Mike, before losing 85% of his sight in 2007, was a commercial balloon pilot and gained five British balloon duration records which still stand.

The balloon is the first in its class, R77GB. It can be flown as a gas balloon or for the Atlantic crossing, with the cone fitted, as a Rozier balloon. A Rozier balloon gains its lift from a helium cell in its top. Altitude is controlled by a small propane-fired burner that warms the air in the cone below the gas cell. A satellite tracker will enable everyone to watch the balloon’s progress .

Deborah and Mike will be supported by a top team of specialists, all renowned for their experience with international and global balloon flights.

Good Luck to both of them.

The Transatlantic Balloon Challenge is raising funds for and awareness of Blind Veterans UK.

Blind Veterans UK was founded in London in 1915 by publisher and newspaper owner Sir Arthur Pearson. Sir Arthur, who was blind himself, set up the charity to help the substantial numbers of veterans losing their sight during the First World War. Drawing on his own experience of sight loss, Sir Arthur’s aim was to help veterans “learn to be blind” by providing rehabilitation, training, and lifelong support.

Every day, Blind Veterans UK helps thousands of vision-impaired veterans who served our country – but they couldn’t do the vital work without you. There are many thousands of ex-Service men and women across the UK who still need our support. You can help them by donating today.

If you are able to donate, please visit the website www.blindveterans.org.uk. If donating via the website, please check the box labelled “I would like to pay in money raised from a collection or fundraiser” and add our hashtag – #BalloonThePond to the event name. This allows us to see how much Debbie & Mike have raised. Alternatively, you can donate via our Just Giving page. Please see the link below for full details.

http://www.justgiving.com/…/transatlanticballoonchallenge

Thank You

www.transatlanticballoonchallenge.com

Blind Veterans UK #balloonthepond #Refire #transatlantic #balloonchallenge

We are delighted to announce that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded the British Balloon Museum & Library a grant to redesign our website and create the UK’s first online balloon museum!

Watch this space for updates as we take our website to new levels.

The first successful Transatlantic balloon flight was in 1978. There have been another 11 flights since then.

The list does not include transits of the Atlantic made by Round-the-World flights.

1978 Double Eagle II

Date                  12th – 17th August 1978

Pilots                    Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman

Balloon                 Helium – Yost GB-55. 160,000 cu ft (4,530 m3). s/n 108. N50DE

Launch                 Presque Isle, Maine, USA

Landing                Miserey, France

1984 Rosie O’Grady’s Balloon of Peace

Date           14th – 18th September 1984

Pilot                      Joe Kittinger

Balloon                 Helium. Yost GB-55. 106,000 cu ft (3,000 m³). AA-10. s/n 111.  Reg N53NY

Launch                 Caribou, Maine, USA

Landing                Montenotte, Italy

1986 Dutch Viking

Date  30th Aug – 2nd September 1986

Pilots                    Henk Brink, Willem Hageman & Evelien Brink

Balloon                 Roziere – Cameron Balloons R-225. 225,000 cu ft (6,370 m³). c/n 1230. PH-EIS

Launch                 St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada

Landing                Almere, Nr Amsterdam, Netherlands

1987 Virgin Atlantic Flyer

Date                  2nd – 3rd July 1987

Pilots                    Per Lindstrand & Richard Branson

Balloon                 Hot Air – Colt 2500A. 2,290,000 cu ft (64,845 m³). s/n 1100. G-USUK

Launch                 Sugarloaf, Maine, USA

Landing                Limavady, Northern Ireland. Then Ditched in Irish Sea

1992 La Ciudad de Helva

Date                  8th – 14th February 1992

Pilots                    Thomas Feliu & Jesus Gonzales Green

Balloon                 Roziere. Cameron Balloons R-60. 60,000 cu ft (1,700 m³). s/n 2057. G-BRGU

Launch                 Hierro, Canary Islands

Landing                Maturin, Venezuela

Notes                    First Transatlantic Balloon Flight From East to West

1992 Chrysler 1

Date           16th – 21st September 1992

Pilots                    Wim Verstraeten & Bertrand Piccard (Belgium)

Balloon                 Rozier. Cameron R-77. 77,000 cu ft (2,180 m³). s/n 2712. G-BUFA

Launch                 Bass Park Raceway. Bangor, Maine, USA.

Landing                Peque, Spain

1992 Chrysler 3

Date          16th – 21st September 1992

Pilots           Don Cameron & Rob Bayly

Balloon                 Rozier. Cameron R-77. 77,000 cu ft (2,180 m³). s/n 2823. G-BUFC

Launch                 Bass Park Raceway. Bangor, Maine, USA.

Landing                Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Notes                    2nd Place in the Chrysler Transatlantic Challenge

1992 Chrysler 5

Date          16th – 22nd September 1992

Pilots                    Richard Abruzzo & Troy Bradley (USA)

Balloon                 Rozier. Cameron R-77. 77,000 cu ft (2,180 m³). s/n 2825. G-BUFE

Launch                 Bass Park Raceway. Bangor, Maine, USA.

Landing                Sidi Amar El Kadmiri, near Casablanca, Morocco

Notes                    3rd Place in the Chrysler Transatlantic Challenge

1994 Peregrine

Date                  18th – 22nd August 1994

Pilots                 Steve Fossett & Tim Cole

Balloon                 Roziere. Cameron R-77. 77,000 cu ft (2,180 m³). s/n 3228. G-BVJO

Launch                 Feildian Gardens, St.John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Landing                Trittau, Near Hamburg, Germany

2000 Region Lorrain

Date   30th Aug – 5th September 2000

Pilots                    Laurent Lajoye & Christophe Houver

Balloon                 Roziere. Lindstrand LBL 77M. 77,000 cu ft (2,180 m³).

Launch                 St John, New Brunswick, Canada

Landing                Saon, France

Notes                    First French Crossing of The Atlantic

2003 Uniq Atlantic Challenge

Date    26th – 29th September 2003

Pilot              David Hempleman-Adams

Balloon                 Roziere. Cameron R-90, 90,000 cu ft (2,550 m³). s/n 4751. G-BYZX

Launch                 Elementary School, Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Landing                Grange Farm, Stalmine, near Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire UK

Notes                    First Transatlantic Balloon Flight in an Open Wicker Basket

2007 Toshiba Transatlantic Challenge

Date               3rd – 6th July 2007

Pilot             David Hempleman-Adams

Balloon                 Helium. Padelt G-37. 37,000 cu ft (1,048m³). s/n 37TA. N66050

Launch                 St John’s Newfoundland

Landing                Nolay, France  )

Notes                    Smallest Balloon to Cross The Atlantic

 

Let’s us hope that Mike and Debbie make it a 12^th, and record breaking one.

The 38th Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday 27th October at the Donnington Grove Hotel, Newbury, Berkshire. https://www.donnington-grove.com . This will take place at 11am.

The agenda can be found here Agenda AGM 2019

The Annual Luncheon follows at 12.30 and we are so lucky that Kevin Meehan has agreed to be our speaker. To book your place just go to the shop on this page and fill in your details.

The venue is beautiful, the menu is wonderful, and the speaker is fantastic. What is there not to love?

If you really cannot make it to the lunch, and we do hope you can, you can make a donation PayPal Donation Button and help save the Past for the Future.

 

NORMAN PRITCHARD 2019 CIA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE (Deceased) Volunteer – ‘A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task’.

Norman Pritchard was such a person. From the early 1970’s until he left his earthly life in October 2004 at the age of 85, Norman was active in all aspects of ballooning.

From the first British National Championship at Castle Howard to the setting up of the British Balloon Museum and Library, the early days of the Icicle Balloon Meet and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Norman was there.

He was an integral part of the group who formed the Rocinante Balloon Group, with their first balloon a Thunder with a flexi-rigid burner frame, Velcro rips requiring a “Cremation Charlie” during inflation.

1979 the British Balloon Museum and Library came into being. Norman, an ardent archivist was in at the start. He served nearly 20 years as the Secretary before becoming Vice Chairman in 1998.

He was instrumental together with John Baker, publishing ‘Balloons and Ballooning’ in 1986. He later he published 3 booklets under his own name – ‘British Records’ and ‘World Records’ in 1993 followed by the ‘BBAC Competitions Handbook’ in 1994.

Friday October 4, 2019 this year’s acknowledged CIA Hall of Fame inductees Paolo Bonanno and Norman Pritchard (deceased) will be honoured at Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, next to Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The numerous fun adventures he shared with his ballooning family are still talked about today.

FAI BALLOONING COMMISSION (CIA) 30th May 2019

The BBM&L AGM and the Annual Luncheon was at the Mercure Elcot Hotel on Sunday 28th October 2018.

Our speaker this year was Rob Bayly and he was brilliant. He chose the top ten ‘Balloonatics’, of which our President Robin Batchelor was one. It was amusing, enthralling and informative. A great choice.

Rob qualified for his air hot air balloon pilot’s licence in 1987.  Five years later he flew the Atlantic as co-pilot with Don Cameron of the British entry in the only transatlantic balloon race. He has flown the English Channel three times and has three times been winner of the Great British Long Jump distance competition.  Extreme flights include across the Norwegian Arctic, Austrian Alps, Sri Lankan jungle and New Mexico desert.  Rob holds a number of records and has flown in many countries including Russia, USA, Australia, Malaysia and UAE Dubai.

There were many people at the luncheon and the Museum raised many hundreds of pounds, thank you.

 

You are aware that on the 25th May, a new GDPR Legislation is being introduced.

The British Balloon Museum & Library have been hard at work and there is a link to our Privacy Policy on the home page as well as here.

The British Balloon Museum & Library’s Privacy Policy.

The privacy and security of your personal information is extremely important to us. This privacy policy explains how and why we use your personal data, to make sure you stay informed and can be confident about giving us your information.  

We’ll keep this page updated to show you all the things we do with your personal data.  This policy applies if you’re a supporter of The British Balloon Museum and Library (Friend, donor, volunteer, customer,) or use any of our services, visit our website, email, call or write to us. In certain circumstances we may also provide an extra privacy notice, which will always refer to this page.

We’ll never pass on your personal data and will only share it with organisations we work with when it’s necessary and the privacy and security of your data is assured. We will never share your information with companies outside the BBM&L for inclusion in their marketing.

Who are ‘we’?

In this policy, whenever you see the words ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’, ‘BBM&L’, it refers to The British Balloon Museum and Library.

The BBM&L is a charitable organisation with the aim to create a collection of information and artefacts concerning the history and development of hot air and gas ballooning and airships in the UK, to provide displays and written material.

The BBM&L is a company limited by guarantee; Registered in England and Wales – Company No. 01519771

The BBM&L is a registered charity; Charity number 281331.

If you have any questions in relation to this privacy policy or how we use your personal data they should be emailed to friends@www.bbml.org.uk or addressed to the Membership Secretary at 25 Chivers Drive, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 4EW.

What personal data do we collect?

Your personal data (any information which identifies you, or which can be identified as relating to you personally for example, name, address, phone number, email address) will be collected and used by us. We’ll only collect the personal data that we need. 

We collect personal data in connection with specific activities such as registering as a Friend or requesting how to become a Friend, placing an order from our online shop, donations of artefacts or monetary donations, volunteering, conducting or requesting research, ordering an image, etc. 

You can give us your personal data by filling in forms on our website or in person at events, by registering to use our website, or by corresponding with us (by phone, email or post as a Friend/supporter/customer). 

This personal data you give us may include name, title, address, email address, telephone numbers, photographs, website username and password. It will also include financial information such as standing order details and whether donations are gift-aided.

Please note that certain Friends services on our website won’t be available to you until you’ve joined as a Friend and registered to use our website.

Personal data created by your involvement with us

Your activities and involvement with us will result in personal data being created. This could include details of how you’ve helped us by volunteering or being involved with our activities. If you decide to donate to us then we’ll keep records of when and how much/what items you have given.  

How we use your personal data

We’ll only use your personal data on relevant lawful grounds as permitted by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (from 25 May 2018)/UK Data Protection Act and Privacy of Electronic Communication Regulation.

Personal data provided to us will be used for the purpose or purposes outlined in any fair processing notice in a transparent manner at the time of collection or registration where appropriate, in accordance with any preferences you express.

Your personal data may be collected and used to help us:

• deliver our charitable activities;
• help us raise funds by informing you of fundraising activities or inviting donations for a specific purpose to support our charitable activities;
• marketing communications such as notice of events or informing you of products available in our online shop;
• to complete your order or request;

depending on the nature of our relationship with you and how you interact with our various services, websites and activities. 

We’ll always act upon your choice of if and how you want to receive communications (for example, by email, post or phone). However, there are some communications that we need to send. These are essential to fulfil our promises to you as a Friend of the BBM&L.

Examples are:

• Transaction messaging, such as shop purchase confirmations.
• Membership-related communications such as renewal reminders

• Trailrope, our quarterly journal which includes what we have been doing, forthcoming events, fundraising matters, marketing including our online shop and articles & items of interest on ballooning.
• Notice of our Annual General Meeting

How can I change my contact preferences?

We want you to remain in control of your personal data. If, at any time, you want to update, view or amend your personal data or preferences please contact us in one of the following ways: 

• Email friends@www.bbml.org.uk with your full name, full address and Friend number.
• Write to: Membership Secretary at 25 Chivers Drive, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 4EW.

Your data protection rights (DPO) 

Where the BBM&L is using your personal data on the basis of consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time using the contact details above.

What to do if you’re not happy

In the first instance, please talk to us directly so we can resolve any problem or query. You also have the right to contact the Information Commissions Office (ICO) if you have any questions about Data Protection. You can contact them using their help line 0303 123 113 or at www.ico.org.uk.

Links to other websites

Our website may, from time to time, contain links to and from the websites of our partner networks and affiliates. If you follow a link to any of these websites, please note that these websites have their own privacy policies and that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for these policies. Please check these policies before you submit any personal data to these websites. This privacy policy applies solely to the personal data collected by the BBM&L.  

Keeping your information

We will only use and store your information for as long as it is required for the purposes it was collected for. How long it will be stored for depends on the information in question, what it is being used for and, sometimes, statutory legal requirements such as gift aid requirements. 

How we secure your data 

Information system and data security is imperative to us to ensure that we are keeping our Friends safe. Membership details are kept securely and are not shared.    

Storage of information

The BBM&L is based in the UK and we store all our data within the United Kingdom.

Payment card Security

The BBM&L uses PayPal for all online payments and credit/debit card payments at events. Your payment card information is handled by PayPal and is not processed or held by us.

Changes to this privacy policy

We’ll amend this privacy policy from time to time to ensure it remains up to date and reflects how and why we use your personal data and new legal requirements. Please visit our website to keep up to date with any changes. The current version will always be posted on our website. 

This privacy policy was last updated on 25 April 2018.

Well, that’s another Inflation Day ‘put to bed’ for the next couple of years, and we got away with it – just!

The weather prediction during the preceding week tried hard to upset the event with a fluctuating forecast but eventually balloo

ning won. Three inflation teams took to the task straight after briefing, with the early inflations happening in light rain but at this point we realised we ‘had an event’!

Ultimately 26 balloons were inflated (plus several models in the sports hall). It is one of the lowest number of inflations taking place at an Inflation since I have taken on the running of the event (nine events over eighteen years), but with the selection of balloons from the Museum being carefully chosen, hopefully producing quality rather than quantity by inflating some very old balloons.

Unfortunately, the planned line-ups of the British Gas shapes, and three London Pride’s that were available, didn’t take place due to the weather – one for next time perhaps! Without the help of partners and families the event would be hard work for me, but as organiser I appreciate the effort put into the preparation and help on the day to make my life so much easier – next time could be more of a challenge with a possible new venue!

BBM&L President, Robin Batchelor hosted Jean Ray and Heather Philp during the day, as they had been invited to attend with their late husband Joe’s balloon, ‘Dream Machine’ (G-BADU), a very rare balloon for the gathered enthusiasts, a greatly appreciated addition to the day.

An item no longer used in modern ballooning, a ‘crash helmet’, and this example, very much a piece of ballooning history, was donated to the Museum by Jean Ray with many historic signatures on it. Bringing back memories no doubt, of Jean’s ballooning days with Joe. A helmet was a very important piece of ballooning equipment in the early days (as many Friends of the Museum will remember) because, due to there being no flexi-rigid supports for the burner frame, protection to the head was very much a necessity during landing!

In recognition of the five Inflation events (the first in 2010) that have taken place at Lakeside Lodge, the BBM&L presented David Hopkins with a port decanter set (and a bottle of port to fill it) with an appropriate inscription on the base to mark the occasion. The Museum’s accountant Angela Lickorish had baked a splendid cake depicting David’s golf ball balloon on the icing! The Museum appreciates the support David has given us over the years, sadly he is selling the estate so a new venue for Inflation Day’s will be sought!

Prizes were awarded to the following:

Oldest balloon inflated:

‘London Pride II’ (G-AZXB) registered on the 20th June 1972 receiving the prize, the balloon being loaned to the Museum for the day by Bob Mitchener.

Crews Dedication by inflating 26 Balloons: It must be said a fantastic effort from the three crews who did the 26 inflations between them. This is just one team for the G-BBCB inflation. Congratulations to lead pilots Neil Ivison, Martin Mitchell and Gary Davis and their crews, as without their enthusiasm it would have been a lost cause that’s for certain – I’m sure the beer packs were welcomed by the crews – most likely consumed before leaving the field!

 

Furthest Balloon travelled in UK:

‘Dream Machine’ (G-BADU) transported to the event by Heather Philp from Cornwall – what a rare b

alloon to have had at the event!

LAASi Prize for the enthusiasts most wanted balloon:

‘Cee-Bee’ (G-BBCB) inflated by Neil Ivison on behalf of the Museum.

Best Special Shape:

Brought by Eddy Pattyn all the way from Sint-Niklaas, Belgium was OO-BUE the Orangina Bottle (Eddy was presented with an English beer selection provided by Belvoir Brewery). Eddy supporting Inflation Day’s yet again with a noteworthy balloon!

Services to Ballooning during Inflation Day:

A special prize for a very confident young man who was taking part, was presented to 3-year-old Alex for assisting ‘Team Northampton’ with inflations – he was totally involved with the action, not to mention hard working.

As recognition for his participation Alex was presented with a book, from JB Books stand, depicting pictures of special shapes, (couldn’t have had too much reading because of his age) plus an Inflation Day pin! A future balloonist in the making that’s for sure!

Congratulations to them all, for supporting the event so ably, and for all those who travelled many miles at the risk of nothing happening, but they had their rewards! Thank you also to LAASi for supporting the event once again, greatly appreciated.

Tim Turner

Event Co-Ordinator & BBM&L Secretary

The BBM&L is pleased to announce the date for the 15^th Biennial Inflation Day . It has been set for

28^th April 2018

The location, for the fifth time thanks to David Hopkins inviting us back, will be:

Lakeside Lodge at Pidley, Huntingdon PE28 3DF. 

Click  ‘here.’ to get an entry form.

All balloons will be welcome, but balloons 15 years (registered prior to the 28^th April 2002) and older will be eligible for prizes. 

We are in the early stages of planning, but the format is expected to be much the same as previous years, so don’t forget your membership cards!

Exciting times as we get the arrangements under way, so any thoughts on themes will be welcome – but don’t be long about it – the ‘clock’ is ticking! Once again, I am very pleased to say LAASi will be sponsoring the event, for which we are extremely grateful and will welcome their members to enjoy the additional benefits on the day, and not to forget our own BBM&L Friends of course!

The Museum has had many balloons donated since the last event 2 years ago, mostly conventional shaped balloons, but still assisting with representing the history of modern ballooning! Examples that have been donated include, Carousel 2 (G-BDSK) – the Museum already has Carousel 1 in the collection (G-AZOO), London Pride III (G-BDGH), how exciting it would be to have all three ‘London Prides’ inflated together!  The ‘top spot’ must go to G-BBCB (Cee-Bee) kindly donated by Giles Bulmer’s wife, Jillian and son Callum, a much sought-after donation and certainly will be the ‘star’ of the Museum representation at the event!

Once again we will have the ‘event pin’, which are becoming the ‘must have’ collectors items, with the 2018 version representing the fifth Inflation Day at Pidley!

The BBM&L AGM And Luncheon will be held on Sunday 29th October 2017 at the Mercure Elcot Hotel near Newbury, Berkshire.

The AGM starts at 11.00am and all Friends are welcome. The Agenda can be downloaded here.

The Luncheon starts at 12-12.30 and will cost £26 per head, but the most exciting bit will be a talk afterwards run by John Coleman (A pilot for over half a century), about his amazing exploits flying over lions and hippopotamus in the wilds of the Masai Mara, Kenya in the 1980s and 1990s.

It will not be just him, trying to outdo John with their tales of derring does in Kenya will be Robin Batchelor and Dani Maimone.

This could be a show not to be missed. There will also be the fundraising raffle.

Tickets can be bought through the shop link at the top of the page.