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By Alex, June 27, 2011 5:13 pm

We are delighted to announce that Virgin Balloon Flights will be flying at the 33rd Bristol International Balloon Fiesta  later this year.

Three Virgin balloons at Bristol Balloon Fiesta 1995

One of our largest Virgin hot air balloons will be whisking people skywards on Champagne balloon rides from Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2011 between August 11 and 14. 

The world famous ballooning event takes place at Bristol’s Ashton Court, one of over 100 Virgin Balloon Flights launch sites, and features hundreds of hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes including special shapes.

Around half a million people come to watch the fiesta each year and the event gives lucky passengers a rare chance to take part in a mass balloon launch, seeing Bristol from the sky.

You can fly from the balloon fiesta with us by purchasing a special Bristol Balloon Fiesta ride voucher for £180 per person. Existing customers can also take part by upgrading their existing voucher.

Spaces are very limited and are available on a first come, first served basis, so don’t hang about.

Visit the Bristol Balloon Fiesta balloon rides page on our website or call 01952 212750 for more information or to book.

A mass launch at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Pilot Mark Simmons, who will be flying from the fiesta, said: “It’s been a few years since Virgin Balloon Flights last took part in Bristol Balloon Fiesta and we’re delighted to be involved again because it’s a spectacular event and a real showcase for ballooning. We’re looking forward to it.”

Bristol Balloon Fiesta includes a host of entertainment for all the family including two spectacular night-glows. Visit the fiesta website for full information.

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By Kirsty, June 24, 2011 5:31 pm

Virgin Balloon Flights received an email today giving us that fantastic ‘Friday feeling’. What better way to end a week than to be congratulated on your charitable efforts by ebay?!

Whilst raising money for Hope House Children’s Hospices earlier this year through the Virgin Unite ‘Changing the Course’ campaign, we sold our lovely balloon flight vouchers on eBay giving 100% off the profits to Hope House.

“You were one of the top 25 eBay for Charity sellers in May 2011, raising £565.00 for charity. Every month eBay users raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for great causes when they buy and sell on eBay. Last month you were one of the most generous, so thank you. Along with the benefitting charities, we thank you for supporting good causes on eBay for Charity and hope you will continue to do so.”

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By Kirsty, June 24, 2011 2:49 pm

Our lovely pilot Martin Collinson, flew from Stamford Meadows on Tuesday night this week, and a fellow pilot and friend Ian Warrington, managed to capture this beautiful shot of the balloon just after take off.

You too can fly from Stamford Meadows or any other of our 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales from as little as £109pp. Simply visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or call our Shropshire based call centre on 01952 212750.

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By Kirsty, June 21, 2011 2:08 pm

Last week we blogged about 8 year old Olivia Staveley being the lucky winner of a pair of Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers for her superb entry into the Burnley Express draw dad competition.

The talented youngster was smiling ear to ear when she received her prizes outside the Charter walk Shopping Centre this week, let’s hope dad loved them!

Once again, well done Olivia!

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By Kirsty, June 21, 2011 11:42 am

How fitting that Virgin’s ‘Summer of Love’ is upon us and pilot Mark ‘Nobby’ Simmons had an engagement on board one of our lovely balloons over Bath!

Happy couple Lee Hall, 35 and Carly Jenkins 25 from Hampshire, originally hooked up the 21^st century way by meeting on match.com, going on their very first date in December 2009. Flying to celebrate Carly’s 25^th birthday, the whole experience was a complete surprise and became a double celebration when nervous Lee popped the big question.

“I’ve always wanted to propose this way! I’ve wanted to fly on a balloon for years and I’ve always planned this would be the way once id met that special someone – it just so happened that Carly has always dreamed of flying in a hot air balloon too… so, with her 25th birthday looming (11th June day of the flight) i felt this would be my perfect opportunity to ask,” said Lee.

“I was so nervous as everything was weather pending! It had been raining ALL week in Southampton and i had everything set for this one day, i wanted it to be a birthday that she’d always remember and i honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day! I was so happy when i found out the night before that the flight was a GO… I didn’t sleep a wink!”

Nodding and bursting into tears, Carly (of course) accepted the proposal in front of the beautiful sky high backdrop before floating into the distance together, how romantic! Mr and Mrs Hall to be have already planned to get hitched next year and said they would love to fly with us again.

“The flight was amazing; we both loved every minute of it. It was like you were floating on air, fantastic experience! Even now i can get over how peaceful and quiet it was. I don’t think any other form of flying comes close. I’d recommend it to everyone and we’d defiantly do it again!

Thank you once again, from the very first phone call to organise the flight, Nobby’s piloting skills and to now you’ve all been brilliant, really helpful.”

Thanks Lee, and CONGRATULATIONS from all of us here at Virgin Balloon Flights. 

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By Kirsty, June 16, 2011 5:08 pm

Fear not, you still have time to give your Dad the experience of a lifetime with Virgin Balloon Flights. Why not take him to the skies and show him the world from a totally new perspective? A super unique gift for a special someone (like a Virgin Balloon Flight) beats a pair of socks hands down!

Our email vouchers are with you immediately after purchase on the website or over the phone by simply selecting the ‘email voucher’ option. You can purchase from our website 24 hours a day, seven days a week and our office hours can be found on our website in the contact us area.

A hot air balloon flight for Dad will make the perfect gift this Father’s Day and with over 100 launch sites to choose from in England, Scotland and Wales Dad’s adventure will never be too far from home. Whether it be rolling hills and countryside views, or chimney pot tops to gaze at from the balloon basket, you’ll be sure to give Dad a gift he’ll never forget.

Simply call 01952 212750 or visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk to book your flights! Father’s day is Sunday June 19^th 2011.

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By Eve, June 15, 2011 3:28 pm

Working at Virgin Balloon Flights HQ in Telford Shropshire has its highs (no pun intended); it’s a great place to be with lots going on constantly and there’s never a dull moment, not even a second!

However, right now I am blogging live to you from deep within stunning Ironbridge Gorge, working from a beautiful building on the site of the Coalport China Museum surrounded by lots of lovely people all with very different working agendas…

I’m at my very first Jelly! ‘Your first what?’ I hear you cry.

This particular Jelly is the Shropshire Jelly based at Enterprise HQ in Coalport, Shropshire. The brainchild of Social Media Expert Jan Minihane this is an opportunity to work as a group but not as you know it. This is not networking, this is simply co-working and a great opportunity for people normally based at home, freelancers, small business owners and office based workers alike to get together to work. Hopefully with some good conversation, a mutual sharing of ideas and of course some tweets along the way.

You never know who you are going to meet at a Jelly – a solicitor, a translator, a vehicle financing solutions expert, who knows? (All people I’ve met today).

Originally an American concept that began around 15 years ago, Jellies can now be found in various places throughout the UK.

Right now I have the pleasure of sitting next to Jill Ming of Building Beginnings who researches the history of houses, a job I must admit I never even knew existed.  Ever wondered what stories your home could tell you? Emma Mellor, or rather @DigitalDoris, makes things easier to read and Carole Anne Carr writes fabulous children’s novels such as First Wolf which tells about hero Toland’s journey to an incredible world (wonder if he’s ever flown in a balloon!)…

Cakes were served at elevenses and then there’s the tempted waft of lunch emanating from the Enterprise HQ kitchen.  Overall this is an excellent way of getting lots of work done in a very pleasant, business friendly and collaborative environment.

You can find out more about a Jelly near you by visiting the UK Jelly website meanwhile thanks go to Hollie Whittles, Jan Minihane and Enterprise HQ for hosting a wonderful event for local business people here in Coalport. Next time we’re up in a balloon over Shropshire we’ll definitely give you
a wave!

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By Kirsty, June 15, 2011 2:30 pm

28 year old IT guy James Pardon, from Alweston near Sherborne, was on his way home work when he spotted one of our lovely Virgin balloons being inflated ready for lift off at our Sherborne launch site.

“I think the Balloons are great, we often see them going overhead and it must be such a nice and unique way of seeing the local area. It still amazes me it’s just hot air keeping it up.

I’ve never flown in a Balloon but it’s something myself and my wife have on our to-do list.

That’s the first time I’ve photographed a Balloon, it was only by chance I saw it. I took quite a few but as soon as it was off the ground it disappeared pretty quickly. It’s amazing how far they can travel with just the wind,” said James.

James and his brother Richard have recently started a wedding photography business and you can see some more of James’ awesome snaps on his flicker page: flickr.com/photos/pardonator

Thanks for the super photograph, definitely one of our favourites!

You too can fly from Sherborne with our pilot Simon Redman from as little as £109pp!

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By Kirsty, June 15, 2011 1:43 pm

A few gorgeous photographs from a flight with pilot Martin Collinson that launched from our Wollaton Park launch site Nottingham. Taking off at 8pm and travelling north east for just short of an hour over the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepoint.

On the same flight lucky passengers flew over the River Trent, the Nottingham County Cricket Ground and Nottingham Forrest Football Club, what a busy flight!

You too can fly from Woolaton Park from as little as £109pp. See you in the sky!