THREE MEN IN A BALLOON are airborne and starting a most magnificent adventure – to drift silently across the Atlantic Ocean in an open wicker basket suspended by an enormous balloon full of hydrogen gas, destination – somewhere in Europe. They are at 8000 feet where it is 6°C. Their speed is15knots and direction 083°. […]
Three men in a Balloon Read More »
It is with particular sadness that I must report that Roger Quiller Barrett has gone to join the great croquet pitch in the sky. Why croquet you may ask – he was President of the British Croquet Association. And it doesn’t stop there – his interests varied from Ballooning, Gliding, photography, Publishing, Croquet, world travel
Roger Quiller Barrett 1935 – 2024 Read More »
If you’re a Bridgerton watcher you have a treat in store. Series 3 has a balloon sequence. I haven’t seen it ( yet) but from what I read it may be described as underwhelming. Pictures show a gas balloon, journalists call it a hot-air balloon of course, but hey, it’s a balloon and we like
Bridgerton balloon in series 3 Read More »
The BBM&L had a successful weekend at The Midlands Air Festival, taking our stall to introduce ballooning to the wider public. Thank you to everyone who came to see us, we appreciate your support, it was great to chat to you. Thankfully there was no rain over the three days, and despite being windy at
Midlands Air Festival 2024 Read More »
A quote from our secretary ( and hard-working organiser) Tim Turner…. “…What a day – beyond all our beliefs with the weather forecast as was predicted! We definitely ‘got away with one” a few spots of rain at worst! 41 balloons was a fantastic effort from the dedicated pilots and their crews (three crews got
Inflation Day 2024 Read More »
The picture shows a surprised and delighted Angela Lickorish being presented with a BBAC Diploma by President Don Cameron at the AGM. The Diploma is awarded to someone …’ for a specific notable flying achievement or contribution to the BBAC or an affiliated region or club.’ and the citation from the BBM&L explains… ‘Since joining
BBAC Diploma awarded to Angela Lickorish Read More »
On this International Women’s Day we wanted to highlight an extraordinary woman in the world of ballooning. Sophie Blanchard (1778 – 1819) was not only the first woman to pilot her own balloon but the first ever professional lady balloon pilot in the world! Born in France and from humble beginnings she was just a
International Women’s Day Read More »
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 to mind the intrepid journey made over the Sahara Desert in January and February 1972 by two early Cameron built balloons, Daffodil G-AYZG, and Golden Eagle G-AYAM. Journalist Jonathan
Daffodil & Golden Eagle, Spring 1972 Read More »
Happy 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 been traditionally known as the one time that a woman can ask a man to marry her, rather than the other way around. Did
Happy St Valentine’s Day Read More »
On 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. The Discovery had reached its easternmost point of exploration on 1 February but, with the Antarctic summer coming to a close, the desire to find a safe harbour at McMurdo was strong.
Scott & Shackleton’s balloon in Antarctica Read More »
