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By Kirsty, March 5, 2012 12:41 pm

Here is the latest blog update from Virgin Balloon Flights runner, freelance designer Adam Fleetwood.

“I’m pleased to say that sponsorship for the Virgin London Marathon is rolling in nicely, friends, family, Virgin Balloon Flights colleagues and local businesses are all making kind donations which is fantastic.

I’ve recently been selling sponsorship space on my Virgin Unite running vest and two of my very generous customers, Willows Dental (£200) and Telling Architects (£100) have taken two of the three spaces which has really helped me get close to my target of £2000.00. I’m currently at £1921.25 including gift aid.

There is still one last space on my running vest for any company that wishes to get some great exposure and at the same time give to a great cause. If you’re interested or know anyone that might be, please get in touch at wotsitdesign@gmail.com or call 07970 821266.

Please help me keep the donations rolling in for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. It will make running the 26.2 miles all the more worthwhile!

To make a donation visit my Virgin Money Giving Sponsorship page.

Thank you

Adam x”

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By Kirsty, February 14, 2012 3:17 pm

Ballooning is one of the oldest, most romantic forms of aviation and we here at Virgin Balloon Flights have shared this gorgeous experience with thousands of lovely passengers over the years.

Each flying season we hear about a collection of new ballooning love stories and a number of in-air marriage proposals from our big red balloons. Hot air ballooning is an experience of a lifetime and the perfect way to see the beauty of Britain from a new perspective with that special someone; flowers sometimes just don’t cut it!

Virgin’s new Facebook app ‘Virgin First Valentimes’ recalls your first times with a friend or loved one, and we’ve been getting our staff to reminisce about their first Virgin Balloon Flight as well as sharing their Facebook FirstTimes with their other half.

You too can enjoy a romantic hot air balloon ride from one of our 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales from as little as £89 per person. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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By Kirsty, August 15, 2011 3:58 pm

Last week we blogged about our Warwickshire launch site Stratford–upon-Avon and the splendid scenery from the launch field of Stratford Racecourse.

As if by magic, our lovely pilot Des Bimson flew from the racecourse and caught the beauty of the bird’s eye view on his camera just days later. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to share these scenic snaps with you.

Des also shared with us his in-flight photographs from an Eastnor Castle launch this week too. This spectacular launch site sits at the foot of the Malverns (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the historic town of Ledbury, Herefordshire.

You too can fly from Stratford Racecourse or Eastnor Castle from as little as £119 per person. Simply call or visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk.

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By Kirsty, July 6, 2011 6:10 pm

This week we went off to see Berrington Hall, one of our lovely Virgin Balloon Flights launch sites, near Leominster in Herefordshire; what a place to fly from!

This stunning neo-classical building designed between 1778 – 81 hosts much more than a pretty Georgian exterior. Steeped in history visitors can delve deep into the past life of Lord Crawley, his butlers and servants that have worked at Berrington Hall in years gone by. In the care of The National Trust since 1957,  this immaculate venue really is the picture perfect spot to start your airborne adventure.

Before, or after, embarking on your Virgin Balloon Flights hot air balloon ride from the grounds of Berrington Hall, you can take a walk around one of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s masterpiece gardens, grab a bite to eat or relax with cake  and coffee in the tea-room, or get some retail therapy in The National Trust gift shop.

With FREE admission to the house for Virgin Balloon Flights passengers on the day of their flight, what more could you want to make a super day out?

Once you have climbed aboard our 16 man balloon basket with Pilot Des Bimson, the wind will take you on a journey you’ll never forget. Aerial views of the elegant property and sweeping sights of the Brecon Beacons will greet you once your balloon is in-flight.

Wind willing, you’ll see the roof tops of Leominster, a historic market town, with  examples of fine architecture throughout the ages. Further south sits Hereford, the famous home of the SAS, which straddles the winding River Wye and has a magnificent 12th century cathedral at its heart.

What are you waiting for? To book simply visit www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or call 01952 212750 to fly from any of our 100+ launch sites in England, Scotland &  Wales or from Berrington Hall.

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By Eve, May 23, 2011 2:11 pm

Mid-May saw Perth Racecourse’s most glamorous event of their vibrant calendar; Ladies’ Day.

As well as an exhilarating day at the races, race-goers relish the opportunity to vie for coveted titles such as ‘Best Dressed Lady’, ‘Best Hat/ Fascinator’, ‘Best Dressed Gentleman’ and, to mark the Ladies Day association with Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the award for ‘Best Pink Outfit’.

Being dressed to impress certainly paid off for these lucky ladies who all won prizes for their outfit efforts. We look forward to welcoming Debbie Anderson (seen here on the right) from Aberdeen aboard one of our iconic Virgin balloons on a Champagne balloon ride as the prize winner for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’. Other prizes awarded were a £500 VIP personal shopper experience at Perth Debenhams, weekend camping tickets to the 80’s Rewind Festival at Scone Palace Park, a private cookery demonstration provided by the Anglers Inn and a round of golf for four at Murrayshall Hall Golf course plus may others. Fabulous!

Ladies Day saw seven races and in-between each race race-goers were treated to live entertainment, a Zumba presentation and a multitude of fashion shows.

Perth Racecourse is situated in the stunning parkland of historic Scone Palace, a short distance away from our Perth Airport launch site at Scone. A flight from Perth in a hot air balloon is a truly magical experience with views over this breath-taking region affording birds’ eye views of the Palace grounds, panoramic views over Perth city and the Racecourse over to the River Tay.

Visit our site to hop into a hot air balloon and fly from Perth.

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By Kirsty, July 31, 2010 3:24 pm

Tuesday morning this week was something of a first for Derbyshire Virgin balloon pilot Neal Parry. After a 20 year career in corporate finance, the last 16 years piloting balloons and a stint flying in Kenya’s Masai Mara, this was the first time Neal had literally had the earth moved for him!

His early morning balloon flight had launched from Bakewell showground, and drifted peacefully above Derbyshire for around an hour. The dad-of-two started to descend the balloon and picked a spacious landing spot on Chesterfield’s Grassmoor Golf Club to bring down the passengers and toast their wonderful flight.

Once on the ground, the pilot and passengers began to pack away the balloon whilst the ground crew gained access to pick up the balloon and basket and to ensure passengers were returned to their original launch site.

A nearby landscaper working on the golf club terrain appeared like a knight in shining armour and created a path for the retrieval crew to get to the balloon.

“The nice digger man (who described the digger as his “baby”!) smoothed out some of the extreme hard landscaping he was working on at Grassmoor Golf Club in order to make it easier for the crew, it was a bit of a surreal experience to have the earth moved for us!!” said pilot Neal.

Thank you to Grassmoor Golf Club for being so wonderfully accommodating.

Further information regarding hot air balloon rides from Bakewell, Derbyshire is available here.

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By Alex, June 4, 2010 8:57 am

If you’re looking for a unique corporate gift to impress a key client or partner, you’ve landed in the right place.

A corporate gift to remember

Say goodbye to un-subtle branded pens, unimaginative bottles of wine and same-old retailer gift vouchers; hello spectacular views, once-in-a-life-time experiences and champagne memories!

Our nationwide reach of over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland and Wales means, wherever you send your corporate gift, the lucky recipient shouldn’t have to travel far for their airborne adventure. Our balloon flight vouchers are valid for 12 months so they can take their time to decide when and where they wish to fly.

The vouchers themselves are beautifully presented in a sleek white gift wallet with silver embossing and a gorgeous souvenir brochure (all made with 100% recycled paper from FSC accredited sources) which will really start to build their anticipation.

We also offer a range of gift packages with additional products to make the present even more special – including champagne, sunglasses or titles from Virgin Books.

Our standard delivery is free and we also have an Express ‘Next Day’ option so, even if you’ve left it a bit late, you can be sure your unique gift will arrive on time.

Remember this isn’t just a corporate gift, you’re giving them an invitation to join an exclusive club including Sir Richard Branson and the pioneers of aviation!

Our lovely voucher, gift wallet and souvenir brochure

As well as our great offers online we offer a range of group and corporate rates depending on your requirements, so please call 01952 212750 or email us for more information.

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By Kirsty, May 10, 2010 9:53 am

2010 will be the year of the 19^th Commonwealth Games and is set to be held in the colourful city of Delhi, India, from 3^rd -14^th October.

When given the opportunity to support England’s Commonwealth team at the Delhi Games, Virgin Balloon Flights jumped at the chance to aid fundraising for training and equipment to give our athletes the best chance possible.

With this being the last multi sport event in the run up to the Olympics, to be held right here in 2012, our athletes need confidence and ability to be at their peak to successfully compete for our country. That’s where the fundraising comes in …

Virgin Balloon Flights have donated flights to the ‘Indian Summer Gala Dinner’ for auction and raffle which is being hosted by former British triple jumper Jonathan Edwards and Olympic swimmer Karen Pickering. Of course the Commonwealth Games president Dame Kelly Holmes will be at the event drumming up support and inspiration for the team.

Amongst auction lots akin to VIP tickets to the F1 Grand Prix paddock, centre court tickets at Wimbledon, signed shorts from David Haye or a helmet signed by Jenson Button, our Champagne balloon rides will be up for grabs too!

The event will be held at The Grosvenor Hotel in London on 14^th June and you can book your star studded table by visiting the We Are England Website.

“We are the athletes of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.  We are the elite from 17 sports. We are the medals waiting to be won.  We are the supporters willing us on.  We are the stars of the past. We are the potential for the future.  We are the talent of today.   We are the dreams of a whole nation. We are one team … We Are England!”