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 […]

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

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 BBM&L is pleased to announce the date for the 15th Biennial Inflation Day . It has been set for 28th 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 […]

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 […]

First Gas Balloon Flight 234 years ago Did you know the first gas balloon made its flight in August 1783. 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 […]

234 years ago, 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.  The Montgolfier family ran a large paper factory and had 16 children and they all worked there. Joseph was the 12th Child and Etienne was the 15th. […]

The British Balloon Museum & Library would like to wish you a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are not a Friend of the Museum already, why not make a New Years Resolution to become one? Just go to the shop section of this website and join up. You get four amazing […]