OUR CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN
Finally, a good spell of weather across the UK and Pidley was blessed with the best! I have been to many of these events and I can’t remember any better inflation conditions. Almost 100 balloons were inflated throughout the day. Thanks to all the LAAS members that attended. It was quite amusing to watch the wave of people moving between inflations, getting their steps in! For those that stayed to the end, they will have heard the good news that there is a possibility the event may return to Pidley in 2028. Hopefully members also collected their free copy of the excellent LAASI UK Balloons 2026 produced by Colin Berry.
One request from the BBML: I am sure we all remember the glut of “Toy Balloons” that were produced and appeared on the register in the early 80s. The BBML are trying to build a collection of them. If you have one, or know someone who has one or more and are willing to pass it to the BBML, you can either contact me or the BBML directly through Facebook and we will arrange the necessary next steps.
Alas, no improvement in the situation in the Middle East. Lufthansa became the first of the major airlines to announce significant fit suspensions and cancellation due to the impending aviation fuel shortage, and I fear they may not be the last.
Rob
Thank you on behalf of the BBM&L to all LAAS members who helped to make the BBM&L Inflation Day such a success! Your club’s sponsorship of the event and members turning up and paying on the gate made for a very beneficial day for the Museum! Hopefully most will agree it was a beyond dreams of a day and although the Museum provided a number of balloons, a significant number of balloonists “dug out their no longer flyable balloons to contribute to a brilliant day! Unbelievably, and beyond my expectation David has invited us back in 2028-fantastic! Thank you all. Tim Turner Event Co-Ordinator