Hot Air Balooning

30^th October 2025 Hot Air Ballooning – Robin Macey

Chris S reported a successful Memory Café, with a great attendance of 47 to listen to his presentation on 60’s and 70’s “sitcom”.

Robin began his presentation by explaining that he had been involved in HAB for 41 years and completed almost 400 flights. Ballooning began in 1783 in France with the Montgolfier brothers with their first test flight using ignited wool and hay as fuel into a silk balloon. Shortly afterwards gas balloons filled with hydrogen were invented by Prof Jacques Charles and these were far more practical as they could stay in the air much longer.

Nottingham and Derby Hot Air Balloon Club was started in 1978 with John Webster, the CEO of the Nottingham Building Society, purchasing the first balloon. It’s maiden flight was in Wollaton Park. Currently the club owns 2 balloons: Lindstrand and William Bailey, made from nylon ripstop fabric (like parachute material). They used to wear crash helmets to protect them from the metal burners, but no longer needed. Robin and his bride went up on their wedding day!

Places to witness HAB’s are Chatsworth County Fair, French Balloon Festival (Metz), York Balloon Festival, Bristol. Robin has visited the famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in USA 16 times, where there can be 7 to 800 balloons and up to one million spectators over the nine-day event.

We were treated to many fabulous pictures as Robin is a keen photographer as well. Questions followed about the cost of modern balloons, normally between £20k to £24k, but some of the really fancy/complicated shapes up to £100k. Lots more photos of Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club in action can be seen on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NDHABC 

Steve C did the vote of thanks commenting on the many spectacular slides and Robin’s love and enthusiasm for this subject and asked members to join him in a warm round of applause.            AR