Welcome to 2014 and some nice additions to the Zebedee List. Whilst we have only heard of one complete 120 finding a customer during December, our new year entries include a complete 31, 60, 2 x 90s and envelopes sized 80, 2 x 90 and 145. Also new are a couple of bottom ends, some tanks and a UK retrieve vehicle. A number of price reductions will also help anyone starting to search for a rig for the 2014 season ….
As this intro is being written, the forecast for the Dante Group’s Icicle Meet in 2 days time (4th & 5th January) looks grim – however we have ‘been here’ many times before in the meets 41 year history and still had flying! The social centre at the Elcot Park Hotel, Newbury will be buzzing with activity regardless of what is happening outside!
The British Balloon Museum and Library has announced the date of its biennial Inflation Day. This popular event, which attracts a sizeable turnout of long unseen envelopes will once again be held at David Hopkins’ Pidley Lodge Golf Club in Cambridgeshire on Saturday 26th April.
Finally congratulations to Don Cameron on receiving an MBE in the Queens New Year’s Honours List for services to Design and Manufacturing. Recognition indeed for Don’s lifetime of designing and flying balloons and airships and producing them in Bristol to the huge benefit of the local economy and to that of the UK as a whole, taking into account the high proportion of exports included. Through his involvement with the BBAC, FAI and particularly the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta he has drawn in many newcomers to our sport over the last 46 years or so! Well done Don …!