Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # British Balloon Museum & Library ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.bbml.org.uk/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [LAASI Magazine ID26 Tribute](https://www.bbml.org.uk/laasi-magazine-id26-tribute/) - 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 - [Midlands Air Festival 2026](https://www.bbml.org.uk/midlands-air-festival-2026-2/) - We had a great time at Midlands Air Festival. The weather was very breezy on Sunday but conditions were perfect on Saturday morning and Peter Lickorish flew G-MUSM for the Museum, and what a picture it was! 126 balloons launched in very low winds resulting in a fabulous spectacle for the crowd, yes lots of - [The *virtual* Inflation Day 2020](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-virtual-inflation-day-2020/) - The balloons pictured below all registered to attend the Inflation Day and we take our hats off to all the pilots and crews who had the date firmly written in their diaries. It is seldom we get the chance to see these historic balloons and we send our thanks to Sandy Mitchell and Tim Turner - [Don Piccard b.1926 - d.2020.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/don-piccard/) - In 1957, on 18th September Don Piccard flew the first plastic Pleiades, a cluster of small balloons, based upon a design of his father's, Jean-Felix Piccard, from Valley Forge to Spring Garden Pennsylvania USA. It cost $800 to make and fly. The 1957 Pleiades flight was the first ever plastic balloon multi celled (Pleiades) flight. - [Don Piccard. 1926 - 2020.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/don-piccard-1926-2020/) - The sad news has reached us of the death of Don Piccard aged 95. He was our Vice President from the year dot and you can find 'his page'. HERE. You can also read of his extraordinary exploits on his FAI page when inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. LINK We send our - [Renee Thornton, 1931-2020](https://www.bbml.org.uk/renee-thornton-1931-2020/) - Vice President of the British Balloon Museum & Library. We were saddened to hear that Renee had died in her sleep. She was a friend, a balloonist and an artist, and her art group meant a lot to her in the last few years. David Barker had known Renee longer than most of us and - [Inflation Day 2026 - Success!](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-2026-success/) - As organiser, what can I say, except a very BIG Thank You to everyone who attended the 18th BBM&L Inflation Day held on David Hopkin’s land at Manor Farm at Pidley (we aren’t at Lakeside any more that was pre-Covid) on Saturday 25th April 2026. What a day, the weather was magnificent, which significantly added - [Balloons at Inflation Day 2026](https://www.bbml.org.uk/balloons-at-inflation-day-2026/) - This page will serve as a place to come to learn which balloons we plan to bring to Inflation Day 2026 from the museum collection. We are lucky to have lots of enthusiastic helpers so you can expect a fine turn out on the day! The latest balloon expected at Inflation Day is G-CCAR, a - [18th BBM&L Inflation Day Update with map and entry fees](https://www.bbml.org.uk/18th-bbml-inflation-day-update/) - I am very glad to report the arrangements for the approaching BBM&L Inflation Day on Saturday 25th April 2026 are on schedule and ready for the big day! With thanks to our host David Hopkins and sponsors LAAS International! Please remember this is a ‘grass roots’ balloon event is held on an old golf course - [Midlands Air Festival 2026](https://www.bbml.org.uk/midlands-air-festival-2026/) - We are excited to be attending the Midlands Air Festival again this year and hope to also take G-MUSM to fly the flag for the BBM&L. It is a great event to showcase the BBM&L and ballooning; some of the visitors to the stall primarily only come for the ballooning. We will stick with - [Inflation Day 2026 - registration form.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-2026-registration-form/) - Plans are afoot to organise the Inflation Day on Saturday 25 April 2026 which will be the same venue as last year, but the last time we enjoy David Hopkins' hospitality at Pidley. (2028 will be a new venue.) Please complete the Inflation Day Registration Form BUT... Before returning this form, please make a copy, - [Inflation Day - 2026. Put it in your diary.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-2026-put-it-in-your-diary/) - Inflation Day 2026 Time certainly flies quickly, and I find myself already putting the early plans together for the next BBM&L Inflation Day event in 2026! The chosen date, and approved by David, is 25th April 2026 so save it to your electronic diaries and make plans to attend! Here’s hoping the weather is kind - [The Small World](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-small-world/) - In 1958 the Atlantic Ocean had yet to be conquered by balloon so it was big news when four people set out from a beach in Tenerife to attempt an ambitious 3,600 miles east-west crossing to South America. After three years planning it was skipper Arnold “Bushy” Eiloart who learned to fly a gas balloon - [BBM&L AGM and Annual Luncheon 2025](https://www.bbml.org.uk/bbml-agm-and-annual-luncheon-2025/) - It was a splendid event with many balloonists old and young attending. Donnington Valley Hotel provided a great meal and it was a very good venue. Alan Noble was the post Prandial Speaker and he was fascinating, so many tales. Started by solving a murder, being locked in a room with the Beatles, to organising Transatlantic - [Bristol Belle maiden flight 1967](https://www.bbml.org.uk/bristol-belle-maiden-flight-1967/) - On 9th July in 1967, the first UK modern hot air balloon, the Bristol Belle, took her maiden flight at Weston-on-the-Green, Oxon. After becoming inspired by American engineer Ed Yost’s modern hot air balloon via a copy of National Geographic magazine, Don Cameron, along with a team of Bristol Gliding Club friends, came up with - [Trailrope Summer 2025](https://www.bbml.org.uk/trailrope-summer-2025/) - The latest issue of Trailrope is published and on the front cover you see a balloon made in 1937 by Bruno Marek who was one of a number of enthusiasts who experimented with hot air balloons in 1930s Europe. One of them ascended to an altitude of 9,374 metres - a world record that stood - [R 34 Airship first to make Atlantic double crossing by air. July 1919.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/r-34-airship-first-to-make-atlantic-double-crossing-by-air-july-1919/) - On a cold and misty night in July, 1919, His Majesty's airship R.34 set out from Scotland on what was to be a record-breaking flight to New York. It was the first time that an attempt had been made to fly across the Atlantic 'the hard way' from East to West, against the prevailing winds; - [Midlands Air Festival 2025](https://www.bbml.org.uk/midlands-air-festival-2025/) - The BBM&L had a successful Midlands Air Festival event. Sadly, the weather was windy, which restricted the flying slots to Friday evening, for the more experienced pilots, and Saturday morning when more than 100 balloons took off. What a gorgeous spectacle for the unusually large crowd for a morning launch, their early start paid off. - [AGM, lunch, speaker, auction and raffle](https://www.bbml.org.uk/agm-lunch-speaker-auction-and-raffle/) - The annual BBM&L AGM lunch was a great success with a healthy number of people joining us at a new venue which proved popular. A big thank you to Jenni for organising it all. The speaker this year was David Bareford who is perhaps best known for his passion for competition ballooning but he opened - [Sand bag from 1930s Gordon Bennett balloon race](https://www.bbml.org.uk/sand-bag-from-1930s-gordon-bennett-balloon-race/) - We have recently been donated a sand bag from Jasper Tomlinson via Giles Camplin both of whom worked with Anthony Smith on his gas balloon adventures with that legendary balloon 'JAMBO'. This is no ordinary sand bag though because it was carried by the Belgian team of Phillipe Quersin and Martial van Schelle on their - [New Atlantic attempt](https://www.bbml.org.uk/new-atlantic-attempt/) - A new attempt to fly a balloon across the Atlantic Ocean is being prepared in Presque Isle, Maine. The same team made a gallant attempt last year and after a perfect start they learned, after some hours flying, a change in the weather forecast meant they would not have sufficient ballast to safely cross the - [Bristol Belle launches from Ark Royal](https://www.bbml.org.uk/bristol-belle-launches-from-ark-royal/) - Terry Adams has enjoyed an illustrious career in ballooning but before that he was a dashing young Lieutenant in the Royal Navy and surely his most memorable flight was in G-AVTL Bristol Belle from the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal on 29 November 1970. The story is told in Trailrope #129 - [4th February 1967 was the 1st flight in a gas balloon across the Channel with 5 passengers](https://www.bbml.org.uk/4th-february-1967-was-the-1st-flight-in-a-gas-balloon-across-the-channel-with-5-passengers/) - 1967 4th February, on a beautiful calm and sunny day, Malcolm Brighton piloted the 1st balloon to cross the English Channel carrying 5 people. JAMBO, a gas balloon was flown from Rye in Sussex to Berck Plage in France. JAMBO was better known as the gas balloon flown in Africa by Anthony Smith, and this - [First balloon flight across the English Channel](https://www.bbml.org.uk/first-balloon-flight-across-the-english-channel/) - 7 January 1785 - the day Jean Pierre Blanchard and Dr. John Jeffries became the first aeronauts to fly across the English Channel . An account of the time tells us that the men were wearing frock coats, dimity waistcoats, nankeen britches, white silk stockings and shoes festooned with black silk ribbons. Their hats - [Who was the first to fly?](https://www.bbml.org.uk/who-was-the-first-to-fly/) - The Courier d’Avignon, dated October 28, confirms these facts: "From Paris, October 18: Here are the details announced last week for Mr. Montgolfer’s experiment. The calm weather for the last 7 or 8 days has allowed them to be multiplied. Mr. Montgolfer himself has risen on several occasions with Mr. Pilatre de Rozier and a - [The day a duck, a sheep and a cockerel took to the air in 1783](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-day-a-duck-a-sheep-and-a-cockerel-took-to-the-air-in-1783/) - On the 19th September 1783, Etienne Montgolfier, a paper maker, launched the first hot air balloon with passengers, it was called ‘Aerostat Reveillon’. The passengers were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The balloon stayed in the air for a grand total of 15 minutes before crashing back to the ground. After the successful - [First Hot Air Balloon across the English Channel](https://www.bbml.org.uk/first-hot-air-balloon-across-the-english-channel/) - On April 13, 1963, pilots Ed Yost and Don Piccard launched the 60,000 cubic foot hot air balloon "Channel Champ" from the village of Rye, England. Three hours and seventeen minutes later Yost landed the aircraft near Gravelines, France completing the historic voyage. Newspaper headlines around the world proclaimed their success the next day and - [21st November is Montgolfier Day](https://www.bbml.org.uk/today-is-montgolfier-day/) - All over the world, 21st November is the day balloonists celebrate the anniversary of the first free flight with human beings. In 1783 in Paris, France, the famous Montgolfier balloon took off from the garden of the Château de la Muette in the Bois de Boulogne in the presence of the King. The balloon was - [DANTE balloon group.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/dante-balloon-group/) - The Dante balloon group can proudly call themselves 'the oldest balloon group still active'. It was formed on 5 December in 1971 by a group of enthusiasts including Pete Bish, John Baker, Phil Dunnington ... to be continued The original ‘DANTE’ Balloon. Registered G-AZIP, a Cameron AX-7 O-65, c/n 29. (65,000 cu ft. volume) First - [Trans-Alpine Ballooning.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/trans-alpine-ballooning/) - Any balloon pilot who has been lucky enough to make a balloon flight across the Alps will probably tell you it was the best flight of their life. The annual International Alpine balloon meet in Chateau D'Oex , Switzerland is one of the most popular destinations for pilots wanting winter sport in January. The Alps, - [Scott & Shackleton’s balloon in Antarctica](https://www.bbml.org.uk/scott-shackletons-balloon-in-antarctica/) - 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. - [International Women's Day](https://www.bbml.org.uk/international-womens-day/) - 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 - [First circumnavigation of the world by balloon.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/first-circumnavigation-of-the-world-by-balloon/) - March 21st, 1999 at 6:00 GMT, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones successfully landed in the Egyptian desert, after traveling 45’755km in 19 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes, thus achieving the longest flight in the history of aviation for both distance and duration. The balloonists took off from Chateau-d’Oex, Switzerland, on March 1st, 1999. Many - [Military Ballooning](https://www.bbml.org.uk/military-ballooning/) - The first military use of observation balloons was during the French Revolutionary Wars. They were also used by both sides during the American Civil War (1861-65) and continued in use during the Franco-Prussian War. Balloons were first deployed by the British Army’s Royal Engineers during the expeditions to Bechuanaland and Suakin in 1885. They were - [Le Flesselle, 19th January 1784](https://www.bbml.org.uk/le-flesselle-19th-january-1784/) - Le Flesselle, the biggest balloon. On the 19th of January 1784, in Lyon, France, the largest Montgolfier balloon ever made was laid out for launching. Called “Le Flesselle”, it was 120 feet high and had a capacity of 700,000 cubic feet, making it not only huge for its day but one of the largest hot - [Jean Pierre Blanchard](https://www.bbml.org.uk/jean-pierre-blanchard/) - Jean-Pierre Blanchard (July 4, 1753 – March 7, 1809), aka Jean Pierre François Blanchard, was a French inventor, most remembered as a pioneer in aviation and ballooning. He began inventing a variety of interesting devices as a young boy, including a rat trap with a pistol, a velocipede, and later a hydraulic pump system that - [The First Gas Balloon Flight](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-first-gas-balloon-flight/) - Did you know the first gas balloon made its flight in August 1783? It was designed by Jacques Charles and Les Frères Robert, it carried no passengers or cargo. The construction was a bit hurried as news had reached Professor Jacques Charles that the Montgolfier brothers had launched a hot air balloon two months previously - [The First Hot-Air Balloon 1783](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-first-hot-air-balloon-1783/) - On June 4th, 1783, Etienne and Joseph Montgolfier demonstrated the first balloon heated by hot air to the nobles of Annonay in south of France. This was after months of experiments. The Montgolfier family ran a large paper factory and had 16 children and they all worked there. Joseph was the 12th child and Etienne - [222 years ago, Jean Pierre Blanchard made the 1st balloon flight in America](https://www.bbml.org.uk/222-years-ago-jean-pierre-blanchard-made-the-1st-balloon-flight-in-america/) - 222 years ago was the 1st balloon flight in the USA. 9th January 1793 Jean Pierre Blanchard decided to set out for America aboard the ship Ceres on September 30, 1792. He arrived in Philadelphia on December 9. He was received by President George Washington and Pennsylvania Governor General Thomas Mifflin. Blanchard had already made - [1709 - First demonstration of a model hot air balloon](https://www.bbml.org.uk/1709-first-demonstration-of-a-model-hot-air-balloon/) - Just after breakfast on August 8th, 1709, a 24 year old Priest, Bartolomeu de Gusmão from Brazil, demonstrated the first model balloon to King John V of Portugal. It was Gusmao’s third attempt, as he had nearly set the palace alight 4 days before. He wore his best black cassock, as he had burned his - [Northampton Balloon Festival](https://www.bbml.org.uk/northampton-balloon-festival/) - A busy period came to an end for the BBM&L crews over the weekend of 17 August, with the most recent inflation being undertaken by Neil Ivison by inflating the Ikea Special Shape 120 on behalf of the Museum – this requires plenty of help to get out of the bag and then pack away! - [Dr. Jenner’s balloon flight replicated 240 years on](https://www.bbml.org.uk/dr-jenners-balloon-flight-replicated-240-years-on/) - The county’s first hydrogen balloon flight has been recreated by aviation enthusiasts on its 240th anniversary. Father of immunology Edward Jenner took to the skies from the Inner Keep at Berkeley Castle at 14.00 on 2 September 1784. Project manager John Hamblett, of Cotswold Aviation Restoration Group, was able to create a replica of Dr - [Happy Christmas](https://www.bbml.org.uk/happy-christmas/) - The December Trailrope is out now and is a bumper issue of 20 pages full of interesting history. Editor Jenni always manages to fill the magazine but relies on all of us to send in stories of balloon history, so please feel free to contribute! Meanwhile all of us at the BBM&L wish you a - [National Puzzle Day](https://www.bbml.org.uk/national-puzzle-day/) - Happy #NationalPuzzleDay. Here’s a tiny selection of the many jigsaw puzzles we have in our collection. An interesting fact: John Spilsbury ( 1739 – 1769) was aBritish cartographer and engraver. He is credited as the inventor of the jigsaw puzzle. Spilsbury created them for educational purposes, and called them "Dissected Maps". - [Happy St Valentine’s Day](https://www.bbml.org.uk/happy-st-valentines-day/) - 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 - [Daffodil & Golden Eagle, Spring 1972](https://www.bbml.org.uk/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 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 - [BBAC Diploma awarded to Angela Lickorish](https://www.bbml.org.uk/bbac-diploma-awarded-to-angela-lickorish/) - 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 - [Inflation Day 2024](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-2024-2/) - 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 - [Midlands Air Festival 2024](https://www.bbml.org.uk/midlands-air-festival-2024/) - 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 - [Bridgerton balloon in series 3](https://www.bbml.org.uk/bridgerton-balloon-in-series-3/) - 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 - [Roger Quiller Barrett 1935 - 2024](https://www.bbml.org.uk/roger-quiller-barrett-1935-2024/) - 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 - [Three men in a Balloon](https://www.bbml.org.uk/three-men-in-a-balloon/) - 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°. - [Old Buckenham Harvest Balloon Festival](https://www.bbml.org.uk/old-buckenham-harvest-balloon-festival/) - The wind is blowing a hoolie outside so to time to remember calmer winds and in particular the Old Buckenham Harvest Balloon Festival held recently where the BBM&L were invited to bring some of the museum balloons. Museum secretary Tim Turner was there and writes… “Martyn Turner & Damian Busby did both night glows – - [Look Up ! The story of hot air ballooning in Bristol](https://www.bbml.org.uk/look-up-the-story-of-hot-air-ballooning-in-bristol/) - Aerospace Bristol and Cameron Balloons present this exciting new exhibition, at Aerospace Bristol from 24 July until Sunday 1 September with help from the British Balloon Museum & Library. ‘Look Up! The Story of Hot Air Ballooning in Bristol’ will showcase balloons, baskets, burners, and balloon-themed activities, alongside the last Concorde to ever fly. From Britain’s first - [Inflation Day 2024](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-2024/) - 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 - [Inflation Day - 23 April 2022.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-24-april-2021/) - We are delighted that David Hopkins has kept to his promise that the event can be held on his land at the top of Fen Road, Pidley (NOT at Lakeside Golf Complex as in previous years). Early days in the planning but further details will be forthcoming in due course but I am expecting - [Inflation Day Video 2022](https://www.bbml.org.uk/inflation-day-video/) - Well we finally got the 16th BBM&L Inflation Day event completed - the previous days forecast was so frustrating and I must admit I 'lost the will' and all motivation at one point as one could sense a very poor event approaching, which would have been so disappointing! Covid beat us twice previously (no choice - [FIRST ENGLISH WOMAN TO FLY SOLO](https://www.bbml.org.uk/first-english-woman-to-fly-solo/) - ABNEY PARK TRUST AND BIOGRAPHER SHARON WRIGHT JOIN FORCES TO HONOUR 19TH-CENTURY BALLOONIST MARGARET GRAHAM – THE FIRST ENGLISH WOMAN TO FLY SOLO - WITH A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE £5,000 Trailblazing English balloonist Margaret Graham, who currently lies in an unmarked pauper’s grave in Hackney’s Magnificent Seven cemetery and park, is the subject of a - [ANNOUNCEMENT](https://www.bbml.org.uk/17548-2/) - 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. - [Ballooning Bonanza Weekend.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/ballooning-bonanza-weekend/) - The weekend of October 8/9 saw a veritable feast of ballooning in Britain starting with the launch of The Queen's Cup Balloon Race in Taunton, Somerset. The BBAC were invited to lay on an event where pilots would compete for the Queen's Cup, the oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy in the UK, - [World Book Day](https://www.bbml.org.uk/world-book-day/) - To celebrate World Book Day we were sent a picture of our President's favourite balloon books with pictorial covers from his personal collection. - [Mike and Debbie Scholes land early on Atlantic flight.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/mike-and-debbie-scholes-have-taken-off-to-fly-the-atlantic/) - 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 - [Terry Adams.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/terry-adams/) - Terry Adams was a long-term friend of the BBM&L and this morning breathed his last after a spell in a care home in South Africa where he made his home for may years. You can read about one of his finest hours when he flew Bristol Belle from the deck of HMS Ark Royal. Story - [Watch this space for the release date of the new website.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/watch-this-space-for-the-release-date-of-the-new-website/) ## Pages - [Homepage](https://www.bbml.org.uk/) - The British Balloon Museum and Library (BBM&L) is a registered charity preserving the many different items associated with, and used in, hot air and gas ballooning. - [Documents & Trailropes](https://www.bbml.org.uk/log-in/documents-trailropes/) - Trailrope magazines Summer 2026 Spring 2026 Winter 2025 Autumn 2025 Summer 2025 Spring 2025 Winter 2024 Autumn 2024 Summer 2024 Spring 2024 Winter 2023 Autumn 2023 Summer 2023 Spring 2023 Winter 2022 Autumn 2022 Summer 2022 Spring 2022 Winter 2021 Autumn 2021 Summer 2021 Spring 2021 Winter 2020 Autumn 2020 Summer 2020 Spring 2020 - [Search the Collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-collection/search-the-collection/) - Search the Collection here OR browse the Collection by Category below. To get better results for multiple words, use double quotes i.e. "Don Cameron". Hardware Balloons, baskets, burners etc. Non-fiction, fiction, non-english. Books Oral history Audio interviews with key people. Advertising Posters and handbills. Clothing T-shirts, sweatshirts, flying suits etc. Photographs Single photos, bundles and - [Carousel test](https://www.bbml.org.uk/carousel-test/) - Hardware Balloons, baskets, burners etc. Non-fiction, fiction, non-english. Books Oral history Audio interviews with key people. Advertising Posters and handbills. Clothing T-shirts, sweatshirts, flying suits etc. Photographs Single photos, bundles and albums. Post/Postal items Flown mail, stamps, envelopes. Art Paintings, prints. Moving films Documentaries, fiction, events. Memorablia China, glass, wood, metal etc. Trophies & plaques - [Latest collection items](https://www.bbml.org.uk/latest-collection-items/) - [Acknowledgements](https://www.bbml.org.uk/acknowledgements/) - Fuse Post are an extremely talented young company with many awards under their belts. They are central London based, a recording studio & audio post production facility, specialising in film and TV. The British Balloon Museum & Library are proud that they are working with them to help with the oral histories on this website. - [About us](https://www.bbml.org.uk/about-us/) - The history of hot air and gas ballooning, and other forms of lighter-than-air flight, 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 - [Who's who?](https://www.bbml.org.uk/about-us/whos-who/) - Back row - left to right. Celia Kunert - Friends Administrator Secretary. John Baker - Archivist. Jeff Roberts - Vice Chairman. Pete Bish - Council Member. John Crawford - Treasurer. Angela Lickorish - Council Member. Dr. Giles Camplin - Vice President. Jennifer d'Alton - Public Relations / Press Liaison and Trailrope Editor. Front Row - - [Friends](https://www.bbml.org.uk/friends/) - Will you help preserve the history of ballooning ? Make your payments online with cards or by PayPal. Donation Amount or DONATE Become a Friend of the BBM&L now You can either download and complete a Membership Form or subscribe online. UK Friends of the British Balloon Museum & Library pay an annual subscription of - [Collection item](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-collection/collection-item/) - [Trailrope teaser](https://www.bbml.org.uk/friends/trailrope-teaser/) - Download the Trailrope Teaser pdf - [Glossary](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/glossary-edit/) - ADD NEW GLOSSARY TERM - [Thank you for your donation](https://www.bbml.org.uk/thank-you-for-your-donation/) - The Trustees of The British Balloon Museum and Library thank you for your support. - [Featured objects](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-objects/) - Digital image of gas ballooning C1905 July 30, 2026 July 31, 2026 An image from the Frank Hedges Butler collection from the 'golden age of ballooning'. Showing balloons preparing to launch from... Video of mass balloon inflation at Cardington July 3, 2026 July 3, 2026 Video of the day on 15 February 1997 when the - [Ballooning history](https://www.bbml.org.uk/ballooning-history/) - R 34 Airship first to make Atlantic double crossing by air. July 1919. July 6, 2025 July 8, 2025 On a cold and misty night in July, 1919, His Majesty’s airship R.34 set out from Scotland on what was... Trailrope Summer 2025 June 27, 2025 July 8, 2025 The latest issue of Trailrope is published - [Latest News & Events](https://www.bbml.org.uk/blog/) - LAASI Magazine ID26 Tribute July 30, 2026 July 30, 2026 OUR CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN Finally, a good spell of weather across the UK and Pidley was blessed with the best! I... Midlands Air Festival 2026 June 15, 2026 June 18, 2026 We had a great time at Midlands Air Festival. The weather was very breezy on - [Trailrope](https://www.bbml.org.uk/friends/trailrope/) - The Newsletter of the BBM&L Trailrope Editor: Jenni D'Alton Email: trailrope@britishballoonmuseum.org.uk Trailrope is produced four times a year. The diverse subject matter covers items of historical interest, news, acquisitions, photos of the 'old' balloons still active and useful contacts. Subscription to Trailrope is included as part of the 'Friends' membership. From time to time requests - [Delete glossary term](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/delete-glossary-term/) - [Add Glossary item](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/add-glossary-item/) - [Edit Glossary item](https://www.bbml.org.uk/edit-glossary-item/) - [Glossary](https://www.bbml.org.uk/glossary/) - Below is a Glossary of commonly used terms when flying a lighter-than-air craft. - [Categories](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-collection/categories/) - Item from the BBM&L Collection. Advertising, Art, Books, Clothing, Hardware, Memorabilia, Oral History, Photographs, Postal items, Publications, Records, Trophies. - [Books list](https://www.bbml.org.uk/books-list/) - The BBM&L Library is a reference-only collection, and the Library is unable to lend any books or other publications. A small selection is shown below. Cat No. Author Title BO0000188 L/A – Notes on Aerostation & Kite Balloon Notes BO0000215 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aviation & Space MA114 National Geographic Magazine February 1977 – The - [test slider](https://www.bbml.org.uk/test-slider/) - The British Balloon Museum & Library JOIN NOW MAKE A DONATION Help save the past for the future [formidable id=2] - [Up & Away! Hot Air Balloons KS1](https://www.bbml.org.uk/education/teacher-resources-pack/) - Up & Away! Hot Air Balloons Teacher Resource Pack, Key Stage 1 This pack provides a cross-curricular topic, based on the History National Curriculum suggestion of 'first aeroplane flight' for events beyond living memory, focussing on hot air balloons. Lesson 1 - The timeline of flight An historical exploration of flight, both man-made and natural, that helps children - [Introduction to educational resources for everyone](https://www.bbml.org.uk/education/educational-resources-for-everyone/) - One of the aims of the BBM&L is to educate the public on lighter-than-air flight. Thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund we have created two educational resources for our website, with further resources planned. How A Hot Air Balloon Works is aimed at everyone fascinated by hot air balloons, explaining the - [searchwp results](https://www.bbml.org.uk/searchwp-results/) - [Links](https://www.bbml.org.uk/about-us/links/) - British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC) The BBM&L is affiliated to the BBAC, the regulatory body of UK ballooning. The membership includes pilots from the UK and the world, and is open to all with an interest in ballooning. Airship Heritage Trust The Airship Heritage Trust is a registered Charity set up in 1985 by a - [Cameron Balloons - Children's Learning Resources](https://www.bbml.org.uk/education/cameron-balloons-childrens-learning-resources/) - Cameron Balloons Limited have excellent resources to explain hot air balloons and their history, to primary school children. They have kindly permitted us to provide a link to their website where you will find their 'Kids Learning Resources' and 'Teachers Resources'. Cameron Balloons Kids Club These resources are not covered by our - [The Collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/the-collection/) - ADD NEW ITEM CATEGORY LIST - [The British Balloon Museum and Library Creative Commons](https://www.bbml.org.uk/creative-commons/) - Reusing content on our website Much of the content on this website is protected by intellectual property rights. Some content, produced with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is released under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 open access licence. This content is free for you to download and reuse under the terms - [How A Hot Air Balloon Works](https://www.bbml.org.uk/education/how-a-hot-air-balloon-works/) - Ever wondered how a hot air balloon is put together, what equipment it needs, what the inflation process involves, how it takes off (or more importantly how it lands)? Download the explanation below to understand more about ballooning. Download the pdf Produced with special thanks to The Airtour Balloon Co. Ltd. and Bob and - [Balloons index](https://www.bbml.org.uk/balloons-index/) - Balloons index An index listing of all the Balloons that we currently hols in the BBM&L collection. Click on the links to find out more. - [Education](https://www.bbml.org.uk/education/) - [No Access](https://www.bbml.org.uk/no-access/) - [dlm_no_access] - [The British Balloon Museum & Library Limited Terms and Conditions](https://www.bbml.org.uk/terms-conditions/) - Welcome to our Website. Your use of the Website is subject to the following Terms and Conditions of use, which you are deemed to accept by using the Website. If you disagree with any part of these Terms and Conditions, please do not use our Website. The term 'The British Balloon Museum & Library Limited', - [Search the Collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-collection/search-results/) - [The Collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-collection/) - [Log in/Log out](https://www.bbml.org.uk/log-in/) - Username Password Lost Password? - [Password reset](https://www.bbml.org.uk/log-in/password-reset/) - Email Please enter your email. The password reset link will be provided in your email. - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.bbml.org.uk/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/) - What is the British Balloon Museum & Library? The British Balloon Museum & Library is the official museum of the British Balloon & Airship Club and was formed in 1979 by a small group of balloonists. The purpose is to preserve the many different items associated with, and used in hot air and gas ballooning, - [Contact us](https://www.bbml.org.uk/contact-us/) - The British Balloon Museum and Library Limited: A company limited by guarantee; Registered in England and Wales Company No. 01519771. Registered Charity No. 281331. Registered Office: 11 Gilbey Close, Redhill Grange, Wellingborough, Northants. NN9 5YG. If you wish to contact the British Balloon Museum and Library, you can either contact a member of the committee - [Pilot logbooks](https://www.bbml.org.uk/pilot-logbooks/) - [Ballooning history timeline](https://www.bbml.org.uk/timeline/) - This selection of events is taken from the long history of lighter-than-air flight from its beginnings in 1783 when Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes became the first humans to fly in the balloon made by the Montgolfier brothers. It serves to record the progress made by aeronauts and manufacturers as knowledge, experience, ambition - [The British Balloon Museum & Library Limited Privacy Policy](https://www.bbml.org.uk/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 - [Timeline pdf](https://www.bbml.org.uk/timeline-pdf/) - [Quiz](https://www.bbml.org.uk/quiz/) - Ballooning history quiz Take the quiz... Start QuizPage 1 of 2 When was the first balloon flight? 1783 1805 1890 Page 2 of 2 Who was the first female balloon pilot? Florence Nightingale Sophie Blanchard Queen Victoria Ready to send - [Delete category](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/delete-category/) - [Delete sub-category](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/delete-subcategory/) - [Delete collection item](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/delete-collection/) - [Delete history event](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/delete-history/) - [This day in history](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/this-day-in-history/) - ADD NEW HISTORY ITEM - [Add History event](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/add-history-event/) - [Edit history item](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/edit-history/) - [Edit categories](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/edit-categories/) - [Add new sub-category](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/add-subcategory/) - Add a new sub-category. All lowercase please. If it's more than one word, please hyphenate (i.e.- inflation-fan) with no spaces. - [Add new category](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/add-category/) - Add a new Category. All lowercase please. No spaces (hyphenate if more than one word). - [Sub-categories](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/sub-categories/) - ADD NEW SUB-CATEGORY - [Edit subcategories](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/edit-subcategories/) - [Categories](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/categories/) - ADD NEW CATEGORY SUB- CATEGORIES - [Edit collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/edit-collection/) - [Insert collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/admin-pages/insert-collection/) - Add a new collection item - [Shop](https://www.bbml.org.uk/shop/) ## Downloads - [Lesson 5 worksheet](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-5-worksheet/) - [Teacher notes](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/teacher-notes/) - [Lesson 4 pptx with files](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-4-pptx/) - [Display-word cards](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/display-word-cards/) - [Word mat pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/word-mat-pptx/) - [Word mat](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/word-mat/) - [Up & away end-of-course quiz pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/up-away-end-of-course-quiz-pptx/) - [History of flight poster](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/history-of-flight-poster/) - [Lesson 5 plan docx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-5-plan/) - [Lesson 5 pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-5-pptx/) - [Lesson 4 worksheet](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-4-worksheet/) - [Lesson 4 worksheet pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-4-worksheet-pptx/) - [Lesson 4 plan docx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-4-plan-docx/) - [Lesson 3 sticking pictures](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-3-sticking-pictures/) - [Lesson 3 worksheet pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-3-worksheet-pptx/) - [Lesson 3 pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-3-pptx/) - [Lesson 3 plan docx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-3-plan-docx/) - [Lesson 2 spiral template](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-2-spiral-template/) - [Lesson 2 worksheet pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-2-worksheet-pptx/) - [Lesson 2 pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-2-pptx/) - [Lesson 2 plan docx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-2-plan-docx/) - [Lesson 1 timeline worksheet picture-cards](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-1-timeline-worksheet-picture-cards/) - [Lesson 1 timeline picture cards](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-1-timeline-picture-cards/) - [Lesson 1 things that fly sort cards](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-1-things-that-fly-sort-cards/) - [Lesson 1 worksheet pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-1-worksheet-pptx/) - [Lesson 1 pptx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-1-pptx/) - [Lesson 1 Plan docx](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download/lesson-1-plan-docx/) ## Products - [Sweat Shirt](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/sweat-shirt/) - Exceptionally nice round necked navy blue sweatshirt in navy blue. The BBM&L logo is embroidered on the front. 80% cotton, 20% polyester and machine washable. Available in Navy Blue or Burgundy. P&P £5.00 - [Polo Shirt](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/polo-shirt/) - Smart hard wearing navy blue polo shirt with the BBM&L logo embroidered onto it. The front opening has 3 buttons. 65% polyester, 35% cotton and machine washable. Available in Navy Blue or Burgundy. P&P £5.00 - [UK Membership Renewal](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/uk-membership-renewal/) - If renewing your membership, please add your membership number in the box below. I am a UK taxpayer and want to Gift Aid to the BBM&L this and all future payments and payments made in the past four years. Should I cease to be a UK taxpayer it is my responsibility to inform the BBM&L. I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. - [UK Membership](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/uk-membership/) - I am a UK taxpayer and want to Gift Aid to the BBM&L this and all future payments and payments made in the past four years. Should I cease to be a UK taxpayer it is my responsibility to inform the BBM&L. I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. - [2012 Inflation Day Pin](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/2012-inflation-day-pin/) - [Full Zip Fleece](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/full-zip-fleece/) - A soft warm fleece with a full length zip. The BBM&L logo is embroidered onto the front. Adjustors on cuffs and bottom hem. Machine washable. 100% polyester. Available in Navy Blue or Burgundy. P&P £5.00 - [Embroidered Gilet](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/embroidered-gilet/) - P&P £5.00 - [Embroidered Tee Shirt](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/embroidered-tee-shirt/) - [Rest of the World Membership Renewal](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/rest-of-the-world-membership-renewal/) - If renewing your membership, please add your membership number in the box below. - [European Membership Renewal](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/european-membership-renewal/) - If renewing your membership, please add your membership number in the box below. - [Rest of the World Membership](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/rest-of-the-world-membership/) - [European Membership](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product/european-membership/) ## Mirror Widgets - [Carousel](https://www.bbml.org.uk/?so_mirror_widget=carousel) - Below is a carousel of categories in the BBM&L collection. Hardware Balloons, baskets and burners etc. Books Non-fiction, fiction, non-english. Publications Articles, magazines, newspapers etc. Post/Postal items Flown mail, stamps, envelopes. Photographs Single photos, bundles and albums. Advertising Posters and handbills. Moving films Documentaries, fiction, events. Art Paintings, ## Featured objects - [Digital image of gas ballooning C1905](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/digital-image-of-gas-ballooning-c1905/) - An image from the Frank Hedges Butler collection from the 'golden age of ballooning'. Showing balloons preparing to launch from the Ranalegh Club in London C1905. Related links More about the featured object - [Video of mass balloon inflation at Cardington](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/video-of-mass-balloon-inflation-at-cardington/) - Video of the day on 15 February 1997 when the BBM&L marked the 80th anniversary of the completion of Cardington Airship Shed No.1 by holding a unique attempt to inflate the largest number of hot air balloons ever inflated indoors. Overseen by the Mayor of Bedford and officially submitted to the Guinness Book of Records, the - [Radiosonde balloon transmitter](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/radiosonde-balloon-transmitter/) - A Vaisala RS80 lightweight radiosonde balloon transmitter from the equipment used on the 1991 expedition to fly two balloons over Mount Everest. The circuitry is contained in a polystyrene casing to protect it from freezing temperatures at 40,000 feet. The primitive punched paper tape still in use in 1991 was used to input calibration data - [Wartime gas balloon basket](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/draft/) - Wartime folding wicker gas balloon basket. Designed to take spies behind enemy lines during World War II, the balloons would be launched off trawlers in the North Sea and the baskets were foldable to save space on the boat. The fabric flap outside the basket holds the trailrope. The fabric bag inside the basket is - [IKEA Balloon](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/ikea-balloon/) - G-IKEA is a Cameron 120 and first flew on 3 July 2004 and apart from being a special shape, the IKEA balloon is unusual as it has twin parachutes, one for each side of the heart. When landing, they are both operated at the same time. Pete Dalby, was the IKEA balloon pilot and said, - [Limoges crockery](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/limoges-crockery/) - A commemorative cup and saucer made by the house of Limoges to mark the first successful circumnavigation of the world by balloon. Known as 'Breitling Orbiter 3' and piloted by Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard. Related links Read more about this unique item. - [Latest acquisition - balloon G-BKOW](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/latest-acquisition/) - The BBM&L recently received a generous donation of the balloon G-BKOW, a Colt 77A made in 1984. Initially known as 'Fleur de Lys' and after flying the channel with celebrity Miss ELLE, from the Ladies fashion magazine, it was known as 'ELLE'. Other notable flights include a dramatic flight across the Eiger mountain in Switzerland - [A special flying helmet.](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/a-special-flying-helmet/) - Back in the late 1960s when this modern era of hot air ballooning was in its infancy, pilots all wore helmets whilst flying and you would be forgiven for assuming they were for protection when landing. But it wasn't from coming into contact with solid objects on the ground, it was to prevent injury from - [G-AZER 'Shy Tot' beer mat](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/g-azer-shy-tot-beer-mat/) - A beer mat produced by Heineken to coincide with its sponsorship of International Balloon Meetings. This one depicts G-AZER 'Shy Tot'. Tom Donnelly bought 'Shy-Tot' in 1971 and broke the World Distance Record at 102km (63.4 miles) Class Ax5 British Distance Records as above for Ax5-Ax15 World and British Endurance Records Classes Ax5 – - [Ark Royal flight – 1970](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/featured-object-ark-royal-flight-1970/) - To this day this is still quite a remarkable flight, not many balloons have flown from aircraft carriers while on active service. The cover was flown off the deck of HMS Ark Royal, (R09), the pilot was Lt. T.A.Adams RN (Terry Adams) and the passenger, the mail officer on the ship Lt. H.S.Draper RN, (Howard - [3-d model of the gas balloon G-APOB 'The Small World'](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/3-d-model-of-the-gas-balloon-g-apod-the-small-world/) - A scratch built 3-d model of the gas balloon G-APOB known as The Small World by its crew who attempted to fly across the Atlantic from east to west in 1958. A boat shaped gondola replaced the traditional basket which proved to be their salvation after ditching mid ocean. Related links Read more about 'The - [Burner from 'Green Ice' Cloudhopper balloon](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/burner-from-green-ice-cloudhopper-balloon/) - Burner unit from a Cloudhopper used in the feature film 'Green Ice' showing integral propane tank stainless steel construction.The liquid fuel valve is below the burner on/off valve handle and above that is the circular load ring which revolves permitting the pilot to choose which way to face. Related links More historic burners held in the - [Omega burner from 1969](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/omega-burner-from-1969/) - Many people will have heard of the Nimble balloon which featured in the TV adverts for Nimble bread in 1968. The BBM&L are fortunate to have the burner for that balloon, G-AXMD, made by Omega Aerostatics in the collection. The mouth of the balloon attached directly to the burner frame and a skirt was attached - [Balloon pins collection](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/balloon-pins-collection/) - Balloonists have been collecting pins for as long as we can remember. It became a popular habit to commission pins to commemorate your balloon to give to crew, land owners and fellow balloonists. There are a number of collectors who have amassed hundreds of pins and avidly exchange duplicates with fellow enthusiasts. We have a - [Commemorative glass from Bristol Balloon Fiesta](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/21661/) - Beer glass issued at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, 9-11 August 1991. The event was sponsored by Unipart, the glass features their balloon. Glass manufactured by Dartington, England. Related links Read the full story in Trailrope Summer 2025. More Memorabilia items in the Collection. - [Gordon Bennett 1930s sand bag](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/gordon-bennett-sand-bag/) - This sand bag was carried on a gas balloon flight in the Gordon Bennett Balloon Race by Belgian team of Phillipe Quersin and Martial van Schelle. We can't be sure which year because they entered in each race from 1933 to 1938 but they never managed a podium finish. It came to the BBM&L from - [Exhibition of Ballooning](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/exhibition-of-ballooning/) - One of the posters in the collection is from 1982 when the BBM&L mounted an exhibition of ballooning in the Newbury District Museum. It only ran from December 1981 to January 1982 but it was a popular place and gave people an opportunity to learn about ballooning and its importance around Newbury. There is a - [Balloons Around Newbury](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/balloons-around-newbury/) - Newbury will always be remembered as a nucleus for balloonists since the start of this modern era of ballooning and this book records all the people, the balloons and the adventures that happened since 1972 from a field in Marsh Benham near Newbury. The farmer who owned the field was David Liddiard who later became President - [Mr. Lunardi's New Balloon](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/mr-lunardis-new-balloon/) - Vincenzo Lunardi's Second Balloon: 1785 This is an engraving from one of the finest balloon paintings of all time, the water-colour by J. Dighton which is part of the Norman Collection in the Patent Office Library, and at present on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It shows Lunardi in his second balloon in - [Record of an Aeronaut](https://www.bbml.org.uk/featured-object/record-of-an-aeronaut/) - One of the favourite books in our library is 'Record of an Aeronaut' by Gertrude Bacon. It is a biography of Rev. John M. Bacon written mostly by his daughter Gertrude. Published in 1907, three years after her father’s death, she writes … "The present volume is largely my own attempt to finish that which ## Categories - [Uncategorized](https://www.bbml.org.uk/category/uncategorized/) - [Events](https://www.bbml.org.uk/category/events/) - [News](https://www.bbml.org.uk/category/news/) - [History](https://www.bbml.org.uk/category/history/) ## Categories - [Lesson 1](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download-category/lesson-1/) - [Lesson 2](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download-category/lesson-2/) - [Lesson 3](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download-category/lesson-3/) - [Lesson 4](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download-category/lesson-4/) - [Lesson 5](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download-category/lesson-5/) - [KS1 - Ancillary](https://www.bbml.org.uk/download-category/ks1-ancillary/) ## Att. Categories - [Transcript](https://www.bbml.org.uk/attachment_category/transcript/) ## Product categories - [Membership](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product-category/membership/) - [Clothing](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product-category/clothing/) - [Pins](https://www.bbml.org.uk/product-category/pins/)