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    • Bristol Balloon Fiesta >
      • 2022 Fiesta
      • 2021 Fiesta
      • 2020 Fiesta
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      • 1998 Fiesta
      • 1990 Fiestas >
        • 1990s - Album 1
        • 1990s - Album 2
        • 1990s - Album 3
        • 1990s - Album 4
        • 1990s - Album 5
        • 1990s - Album 6
        • 1990s - Album 7
        • 1990s - Album 8
        • 1990s - Album 9
        • 1990s - Album 10
        • 1990s - Album 11
      • 1990 Fiesta
      • 1990s Night Glows
      • Late 1980s
      • 1988 Fiesta
      • 1983 Fiesta
      • 1981 Fiesta
      • Mixed Fiesta Photos
    • 2022 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 12/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 16/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 23/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/01/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 11/02/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 20/03/22 - Orange Inflation at Ashton Court PM
      • 24/03/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/04/22 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 08/04/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/04/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/04/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 10/04/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/04/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 15/04/22 - Special Shape Tether at Ashton Court
      • 15/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 16/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 18/04/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​​25/04/22 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​​28/04/22 - Newbridge PM
      • ​​29/04/22 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 30/04/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 30/04/22 - Ashton Court Tether
      • 30/04/22 - G-LIPS Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 05/05/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/05/22 - Maize Field PM
      • 08/05/22 - Maize Field Tether
      • 08/05/22 - Maize Field PM
      • 12/05/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/05/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/05/22 - Maize Field PM
      • 19/05/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/05/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/05/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/05/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/05/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 28/05/22 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Royal Crescent PM
      • 29/05/22 - Bristol Balloon Tether at Ashton Court AM
      • 13/06/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/06/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/06/22 - Flight from Ashton Court AM
      • 14/06/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 15/06/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/06/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 16/06/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/06/22 - Orange Inflation at Ashton Court PM
      • 21/06/22 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 22/06/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 22/06/22 - Maize Field PM
      • 22/06/22 - Newbridge PM
      • 23/06/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 03/07/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/07/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/07/22 - Keynsham PM
      • 09/07/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 09/07/22 - Keynsham AM
      • 09/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 10/07/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 10/07/22 - Special Shapes at Ashton Court PM
      • 11/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 12/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 15/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/07/22 - Coffee Jar Flight from Norton St Philip PM
      • 20/07/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 26/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/07/22 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 29/07/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/08/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/08/22 - Maize Field AM
      • 06/08/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/08/22 - Alien Inflation at Newton St Loe AM
      • 07/08/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/08/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 12/09/22 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/09/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/09/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/09/22 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 19/09/22 - Keynsham PM
      • 21/09/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/10/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/10/22 - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/11/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/12/22 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/12/22 - Ashton Court Tether PM
      • 16/12/22 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2021 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 02/01/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/02/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/03/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/03/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/03/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/03/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/03/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/04/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​13/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​13/04/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​14/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​14/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​16/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​17/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​17/04/21 - ​Maize Field PM
      • ​18/04/21 - ​Maize Field AM
      • ​18/04/21 - ​Maize Field PM
      • ​19/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​20/04/21 - ​Maize Field PM
      • ​26/04/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • ​27/04/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/05/21 - Ashton Court Tether AM
      • 07/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/05/21 - Maize Field Tether
      • 17/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/05/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/05/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/05/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 28/05/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/05/21 - Maize Field PM
      • ​30/05/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 31/05/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 04/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • ​07/06/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 08/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/06/21 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Inglescombe Farm PM
      • 13/06/21 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Glasshouse Playing Fields AM
      • 13/06/21 - Bath Balloon Fiesta | Glasshouse Playing Fields PM
      • 14/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/06/21 - G-LIPS Tether at Ashton Court PM
      • 17/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/06/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 23/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/06/21 - G-DIPI Tether at Ashton Court PM
      • 30/06/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 02/07/21 - Poplar Insulation Tether at Ashton Court AM
      • 02/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/07/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/07/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 14/07/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 16/07/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 17/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/07/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 18/07/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 18/07/21 - Special Shape Tether at Ashton Court PM
      • 19/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/07/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 22/07/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 25/07/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/07/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 01/08/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 01/08/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/08/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/08/21 - Dundridge Park AM
      • 22/08/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/08/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 25/08/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 27/08/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 03/09/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 04/09/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 05/09/21 - G-LIPS Flight | Maize Field PM
      • 12/09/21 - Maize Field AM
      • 14/09/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 14/09/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/09/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/09/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/09/21 - J&B Bottle Special Shape Tether AM
      • 20/09/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 20/09/21 - Maize Field PM
      • 21/09/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 21/09/21 - Oakhill Recreational Ground, Radstock PM
      • 06/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/10/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/10/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 09/10/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/10/21 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/10/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 11/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 12/10/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 13/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 15/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/10/21 - Keynsham PM
      • 17/10/21 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/11/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/12/21 - Ashton Court AM
      • 26/12/21 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2020 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 20/01/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/01/20 - Galleon Special Shape Tether AM
      • 27/05/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/05/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/06/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/06/20 - Henbury Tether PM
      • 24/06/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 24/06/20 - Henbury Tether PM
      • 07/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 11/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 11/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​12/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/07/20 - Maize Field Tether
      • 12/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/07/20 - G-GCCC Flight | Bristol County Ground PM
      • 21/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 29/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 29/07/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/07/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/07/20 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 30/07/20 - County Ground PM
      • 02/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/08/20 - Henbury Night Glow
      • 09/08/20 - Maize Field PM
      • 27/08/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 30/08/20 - WRBBAC Flyout | Timsbury PM
      • 31/08/20 - George Brazil Airship | Havyatt Green AM
      • 31/08/20 - Maize Field PM
      • 01/09/20 - Sky Orchestra | Ashton Court PM
      • 06/09/20 - Key Worker Flight over Bristol AM
      • 10/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 11/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 14/09/20 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/09/20 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/09/20 - Bristol Balloon Tether | Ashton Court PM
      • 29/09/20 - Wallace & Gromit Rocket Launch | Lloyds Amphitheatre AM
      • 29/09/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 11/10/20 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/11/20 - Ashton Court AM
    • 2019 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 27/02/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/02/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/03/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/03/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 24/03/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 24/03/19 - Upper Swainswick AM
      • 25/03/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 26/03/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 26/03/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 27/03/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/03/19 - Wraxall PM
      • 29/03/19 - G-UWEB Tether | Ashton Court PM
      • 30/03/19 - Keynsham PM
      • 01/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 11/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 19/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 19/04/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 20/04/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 20/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 20/04/19 - WRBBAC Flyout | Maize Field PM
      • 21/04/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 21/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 21/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/04/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 23/04/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 28/04/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/04/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 30/04/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/05/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 05/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​06/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 10/05/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/05/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 12/05/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/05/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 24/05/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/05/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/05/19 - Bath Balloon Fiesta AM
      • 31/05/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/06/19 - Shirehampton PBA Club Fun Day
      • 06/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/06/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/06/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/06/19 - G-NORG Airship in Ashton Court AM
      • 25/06/19 - Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 02/07/19 - Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 03/07/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 04/07/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/07/19 - Longwell Green Tether PM
      • 05/07/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 06/07/19 - Flight from Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/19 - Lawrence Weston Tether at LDubstock
      • 07/07/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/07/19 - Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 08/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/07/19 - Flight from Ashton Court PM
      • 10/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/07/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 14/07/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 15/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/07/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 24/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • ​26/07/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 01/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 02/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 02/08/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 13/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 15/08/19 - Pettefords Tether at Nailsea
      • 20/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 20/08/19 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 21/08/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 23/08/19 - Flight from Maize Field PM
      • 23/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 25/08/19 - Maize Field AM
      • 25/08/19 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 25/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/08/19 - Ashton Court PM
      • 01/09/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/09/19 - Keynsham AM
      • 07/09/19 - Maize Field PM
      • ​08/09/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 08/09/19 - Timsbury Flyout PM
      • 10/09/19 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/09/19 - Keynsham PM
      • 19/09/19 - Maize Field PM
      • 16/11/19 - G-BIRE Tether at Ashton Court
    • 2018 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 06/03/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/03/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/03/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/03/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/04/18 - Test Inflations AM
      • 19/04/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/04/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 20/04/18 - Maize Field PM
      • Balloon Flight | 21/04/18 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 03/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 03/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/05/18 - Chubb Special Shape Inflation | Ashton Court AM
      • Balloon Flight | 04/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • Balloon Flight | 05/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 05/05/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 05/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 06/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 06/05/18 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 06/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/05/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 06/05/18 - Balloons over Bristol PM
      • 07/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/05/18 - Chew Magna Flyout PM
      • 08/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 10/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 12/05/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 12/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/05/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/05/18 - Portway Tether AM
      • 14/05/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 17/05/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 25/05/18 - Bath Balloon Fiesta PM
      • 02/06/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/06/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 03/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 06/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 08/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 09/06/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 09/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 12/06/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 13/06/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/06/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 22/06/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/06/18 - Didmarton Meet PM
      • 23/06/18 - Didmarton Meet AM
      • 25/06/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 26/06/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 05/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 06/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/07/18 - Cheddar Rugby Club AM
      • 07/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • Balloon Flight | 08/07/18 - Maize Field AM
      • 08/07/18 - South Gloucestershire PM
      • 08/07/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 10/07/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 11/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 14/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 15/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 16/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 17/07/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 18/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 19/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 21/07/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 22/07/18 - Keynsham AM
      • 22/07/18 - Timsbury Flyout PM
      • 25/07/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 02/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 03/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/08/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/08/18 - Pre Fiesta Flight | Ashton Court AM
      • 21/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/08/18 - Bishop Sutton Flyout PM
      • 30/08/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/08/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 01/09/18 - Henbury AM
      • 01/09/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 02/09/18 - Tethering in Nailsea PM
      • 02/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/09/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 06/09/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 07/09/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 12/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/09/18 - Ashton Court AM
      • 25/09/18 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 26/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 29/09/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/10/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 07/10/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/10/18 - Maize Field PM
      • 20/10/18 - Ashton Court PM
      • 28/12/18 - Maize Field PM
    • 2017 Bristol & Bath Flights >
      • 05/01/17 - Cash4Cars over Bristol
      • 22/01/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 18/02/17 - Ashton Court G-GAGE Tether
      • 13/03/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • Balloon Flight | 27/03/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 02/04/17 - Keynsham AM
      • 02/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 05/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 05/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 06/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 06/04/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 07/04/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 08/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 08/04/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 08/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 13/04/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 17/04/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 18/04/17 - Keynsham PM
      • 19/04/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 22/04/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 23/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/04/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/04/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • Balloon Flight in G-UWEB | 29/04/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 06/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 07/05/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 07/05/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 09/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 10/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 24/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • Balloon Flight in Red Letter Days | 25/05/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 28/05/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 28/05/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 31/05/17 - Ashton Court Tether PM
      • 13/06/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 13/06/17 - Keynsham PM
      • 14/06/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 14/06/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 17/06/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 18/06/17 - Keynsham AM
      • 18/06/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 18/06/17 - Tethering Bagerline - Ashton Court PM
      • 19/06/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 26/06/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 02/07/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 04/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 04/07/17 - Fiesta Charity Partnership Launch | Ashton Court PM
      • 05/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 08/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 09/07/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 09/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 10/07/17 - College Green Tether AM
      • 12/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 12/07/17 - Maize Field PM
      • 17/07/17 - Maize Field AM
      • 17/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 24/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park PM
      • 25/07/17 - Royal Victoria Park AM
      • 25/07/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 31/07/17 - Visit Bath Tether | Royal Crescent PM
      • 01/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • Balloon Flight in Tango | 06/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 20/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 21/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 24/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 25/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 26/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
      • 27/08/17 - Ashton Court AM
      • 27/08/17 - Ashton Court PM
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Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2013 - Review

​Another year, another balloon fiesta. Bristol was getting ready for the 35th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta held at Ashton Court and it promised to be a cracker. As part of the 100 club, Barton Willmore had won title sponsorship and we were hearing of many exciting special shapes looking to attend, not just from the UK. 
Press Launch
​Following on from last year’s successful press launch from Greville Smyth Park, the organisers decided this would again be the location in 2013. Slow winds were forecast as Clive Bailey and other members of the committee delivered the pilot briefing bright and early at the park. Lindstrand Media were in attendance with their Palletways Dragon special shape, returning to Bristol for a fourth year, alongside Jones Lang LaSalle. Exclusive Ballooning brought along two of their balloons too - their Kubicek Renishaw envelope built in 2012 and shiny brand new Fortnum & Mason. This beautiful balloon was created by Cameron Balloons right here in Bristol, a sign that this contract was set to last more than a couple of years. You won’t find another balloon made from this exact colour fabric, as it was specially dyed at the factory. Locally based Dribuild registered G-CHXS was also new, piloted by local pilot Ben Whatley. Bailey Balloons’ Anana Z-140 was appearing at a fiesta launch for the very first time too. 
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​Once fully inflated and ready to go the balloons slowly lifted into the sky in the very calm winds that surrounded the Ashton park. Some of the landings were interesting with Slick the Dragon and Fortnums coming down in a residential street! 
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Thursday Special Shape Rodeo
​The start of the 2013 Bristol Balloon Fiesta was upon us and the weather was looking very promising. Conditions were good enough for the planned special shapes launch to go ahead, as announced by the fiesta commentators at 6pm. Many old and new trailers began driving onto the field, some round balloons and some huge special shapes. As well as Fortnum & Mason, Exclusive Ballooning had three brand new commercial special shapes at the 2013 fiesta. The first was the Ricoh imagine change cube registered G-RCOH and built by Cameron’s, which enjoyed its maiden flight from Royal Victoria Park in Bath. Secondly, a new favourite for many, the Scottish cup created in the Czech Republic by Kubicek Balloons and registered G-WHIL. You may recall the Financial Times newspapers from back in the late 1980s, of which three were built. To celebrate the 125 years, FT launched a new marketing campaign with a series of global events. Part of this was getting a giant, brand new FT tablet created by Ultramagic Balloons in Spain who hadn’t made that many special shapes compared to other manufacturers. 
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​But they weren’t the only new UK shapes attending, oh no - the Airship & Balloon Company (ABC) had brought along something very exciting. Loveable character Stuart the Minion was inflated and instantly became a hit with the kids (and big kids!), being one of two identical Minion balloons G-DMES and G-DMEZ. These larger than life characters are from the popular movie Despicable Me and were commissioned by Universal Pictures to advertise the upcoming sequel. Having two would allow ABC to take them places when times clashed, although this never really happened. 
​Click here to watch Stuart’s test inflation video on YouTube. 
​2013 was certainly a great year for UK special shapes. Yes, we have one more! The Paddy Power Pants registered G-EGES were operated by Lighter Than Air for a short time, only ever making one appearance in Bristol at this very launch. Built by Lindstrand, they tethered at Cheltenham racecourse and Bristol before later appearing in Taiwan. It was nice to see Cameron Balloons’ UP back at the fiesta too after being built for Disney Pixar’s showcase film in 2009 and operated by Exclusive Ballooning. Once the contract ended the balloon was given back to Cameron’s. Bailey Balloons’ and Bristol Balloons’ fleet were taking off one by one as the crowd enjoyed the wonderful array of balloons inflated in the arena of all sizes and colours. 
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​With a huge cheer from the thousands of people watching this spectacle, suddenly the Scottish Cup soared into the Bristol sky for the first time. Lindstrand Media were the second special shape to fly in their Palletways Dragon envelope known as ‘Slick’. More began to take off including UP alongside the FT Tablet, which was dramatically swaying from side to side as the wind hit into the side. 
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​This left only a few balloons in the arena with one in particular stealing the show. It was Snow White! This massive special shape was brought along to Bristol by German balloon team who also own Action Man and Babybel that attended in 2012. It was built in 1993 and stored in Germany for twenty years before being saved and taken to many international balloon festivals including Albuquerque in New Mexico. Meanwhile the Trigger balloon team were busy tethering their newly purchased Satzenbrau pils bottle. G-BIRE first appeared at the fiesta in 1983 so had passed its flying days, but not Snow White. The playmobil character took off for an hour’s flight across the city, eventually coming into land at Oldbury Court in Fishponds, closely followed by the Ricoh cube the Minion. The Panasonic Battery also joined them, attending for the third year in a row. 
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​Flying Enterprises’ fifteen-year-old Stowells wine box remained tethered in the arena as the French Cockerel team were last to fly. After attending in 2012 with Mr Peanut and ‘Mr Gas’, the British Balloon Museum & Library (BBM&L) were back with one of their historic collection. They chose to bring just one - the slightly dull 1979-built beer mug registered G-PUBS. 
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Thursday Night Glow
​The night glow went ahead with calm winds and clear skies making for perfect photograph opportunities. Financial Times’ new Cameron Z-77 took part. 
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Friday Morning
​Hundreds of people had made the effort to get up to Ashton Court for the 6am mass ascent and the weather wasn’t looking too bad. However, the problem was the wind speed at 500ft and above, plus the increasing gusts on the surface. Due to this only pilots with 250hrs+ of P1 experience were permitted to fly. Around ten pilots decided to go for it with many commercial rounds and shapes tethered for the press, including Exclusive Ballooning’s very own G-OOEY demo. The Chelsea finance racer made it to Swindon in the fast winds and G-CFXP’s scoop was damaged from the flight, but this was easy to put right. 
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Friday Afternoon
​A tethering display took place at lunchtime but was extremely gusty. Sadly, this caused ABC’s Stuart special shape to roll onto another vehicle and was badly ripped. Luckily the reportedly ‘urgent’ repair was not so, as ABC opted to use their other identical balloon G-DMEZ for the rest of the event. At 4pm the RAF Red Arrows performed their dazzling display. 
Friday Evening
​Wind was still a problem as we reached the evening, although it was flyable at a push. Rides were keen to get going so lined up on the metal track leading into the field and waited for the briefing. It was called on despite the somewhat tricky conditions with the wind taking them towards Hengrove and beyond. Thirty-two took to the skies with the only non-conventional shape being Cameron Balloons’ UP. 
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Saturday Morning
​Saturday was the first chance for a full mass ascent and everyone was raring to go. The arena was packed with pilots, crew, trailers, balloons and baskets! Since Thursday the Snow White team had been waiting for another calm chance to fly, so this was the perfect opportunity. First up was ‘Betty P’ G-CDGN and one hundred more followed. It was a great mass launch. 
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​Special shapes flew including Snow White, Palletways, the Scottish Cup, FT Tablet, Panasonic Battery and the Cockerel. A record number of seventy-eight balloons landed at the chocolate factory in Keynsham that morning, which was beaten a year later, again on Saturday morning. 
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​Click here to watch a video of this flight. 
Saturday Afternoon
​Waiting for the decision on the evening ascent, a small amount of tethering took place mid-afternoon. ABC inflated Stuart with a Lindstrand hopper and G-LEXI in the glorious afternoon sunshine. 
Saturday Evening
​The evening ascent followed much of the same pattern, with over one hundred balloons taking to the skies from the main Saturday night slot. Cloud had rolled in from earlier in the afternoon, but it was all systems go at Ashton Court once more! The usual 2013 shapes flew including UP and the Ricoh Cube whilst Stuart tethered, watching the balloons drift away over the Bristol skyline. Exclusive Ballooning’s new Lord Mayor’s Appeal racer flew on this slot too. The BBM&L inflated their G-PUBS at the end for a second time. 
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Saturday Night glow
​The full night glow and fireworks went ahead as planned. You can see the new David Hathaway Z-120 lighting up in the photos, which was another new balloon fresh from the Cameron’s factory in 2013. 
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Sunday Morning
So far the 2013 fiesta was missing just one thing. Blue sky. Superb flying conditions surrounded Ashton Court at daybreak with hardly a cloud in the sky by the end of the launch. 
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Sunday Evening
​By the evening the winds had picked up too much to carry out a safe flight. 2012 title sponsors Jones Lang LaSalle, ABC Flights and Cameron Balloons’ G-CGVV tried to put on a show for the thousands of spectators, but this proved tough work. Although Sunday night was cancelled, on six out of seven occasions balloons managed to fly from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in 2013.   
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Thank you to James McDonald, Ballooning Pictures and Ollie Warren for providing photos. 

Read more from MJ Ballooning

​If you would like to read more of our fiesta reviews from 2004 to 2020, click here.
Written by Matt Joyce 30/01/19
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