2018 has commenced with plenty of activity on the balloon market. Sold from the list, including our ‘Stop Press’ section, have been envelopes sized 31.56, 145 and 250, whilst we have finally heard that a 210 on the List was sold a year ago! Plenty of baskets, burners, tanks and smaller items have moved too.
New for February is a Cameron 90 from Nick Amor, an airship ‘bottom end’ (listed in the Airship section) and various smaller items including a very smart LBL ‘42’ basket at Zebedee.
We have been concerned for some time that our blanket £12 fee for advertising items from baskets downwards has probably put people off listing low value items. So for any item advertised with an asking price below £100, the fee is now £5. Higher value items continue at £12.
Once again the Icicle Refrozen Balloon Meet at Newbury was marred by unflyable conditions – low cloud and murk on Saturday 6th January and strong winds (but sunny) the following day. One balloon made a short flight on the Saturday, with about 10 balloons being inflated for the photographers but not flying. Amongst these were a new Kubicek for Crispin Williams, a new Ultramagic Donkey shape for Martin Cowling/Kate Holzer and Alex Court’s very pretty Sackville G-CIWY. On the historic side several long lost “oldies” appeared – particularly nice to see “Meconium” a Thunder 42, G-BDAY, once the personal mount of Tomo himself …. The Saturday sell-out dinner was a success with Josep Llado, the speaker, recalling exciting ballooning events worldwide, including Ghana and a meet in the Azores!
The BBAC AGM will be held on 3rd March at the Mercure Walton Hall Hotel, Warwickshire. Zebedee intends to be there as usual – any deliveries?