Although only 4 complete balloons / envelopes disappear from the List this issue, we know a lot of business is going on out there ….. With the approach of the UK summer we have suddenly seen a number of welcome trainees getting ‘kitted up’. At the same time the steady flow of UK built balloons and equipment to overseas customers continues. By contrast a lot of baskets, burners and tanks are moving. If you are after a 5hp fan, Zebedee has a wide range of these and can do a good deal – especially if no ‘trade in’ is involved ….
New for May are 2 complete 77s, a pair of 90s, a 56 and Derry Moore’s beloved G-LORY – a 1981 crispy fabric basket equipped 31. This is now at Zebedee for disposal including trailer. Coincidentally Derry celebrated his 90th birthday last week – and still holds a PPL and a current Senior BBAC Inspector rating. Is this a record for UK ballooning? Congratulations to Derry on this milestone.
Also new this time are envelopes sized 77, 90, 120 and 145, although some are quite high houred.
The BBM & L Inflation Day on 26th April against all the gloomy forecasts turned out bright without rain, even if a touch breezy. Over 40 envelopes inflated, many of them long forgotten. It was especially good to see David Harris, the sole owner of “Hermes” a 1971 Western 65, G-AZBT come along to help inflate his balloon for the first time in many years, having donated it to the BBM & L last year. A couple of ‘for sale’ Zebedee envelopes were inflated too with Thunder 77 G-BSEA causing much interest along with EI-BSN the Smithwicks Cameron O-65.
Finally the usual plea for sellers to tell us when they have sold their items. We need the space in the List ….!