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By Kirsty, April 8, 2013 9:59 am

It’s not uncommon to celebrate a birthday with balloons, but Jessica Bill celebrated her 24^th aboard a 100 foot tall hot air balloon floating 3000 feet up in the sky.

Jess and boyfriend of two years, Nick Crosby, 29, from Gamston, took to the skies from Stoke Rochford Hall, in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in an iconic red Virgin balloon last week.

The sunrise voyage marked the achievement of a lifetime ambition for the couple, who bought the balloon ride vouchers for their first anniversary.

“We’ve both always wanted to go on a balloon flight. Everyone was great and really looked after us and, even though we met up at 6am on a freezing cold morning, they we really upbeat and fun. When we told them it was Jess’ birthday they all started singing happy birthday to her, the rest of the passengers joined in too,” said Nick.

Jess added: “My favourite bit was the views, they were amazing and something I’ll never forget. The champagne toast after we landed was great too.”

Travelling around eight miles to the east during the hour-long flight, the balloon landed land near Belvoir Castle before experienced pilot Martin Collinson presented Jess and Nick with their personalised flight certificates.

Martin, 46 from Grantham said “It was great to have Jessica and Nick on board, there’s something special about singing happy birthday in the open air over the countryside, it’s magical! After the snow we’ve had, a beautiful clear balloon ride was a special way to celebrate her day; I’m delighted they enjoyed it.”

The couple, who are due to be married in August next year, said they were now keen to experience another balloon ride as part of their honeymoon.

Balloon flights are available from sites across the UK including Nottingham from £99pp via www.virginballoonflights.co.uk or on 0844 844 8080.

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By Kirsty, May 22, 2012 2:59 pm

There’s nothing better than letting Dad know just how much you care and Father’s Day is the perfect celebration to strengthen those paternal bonds and thank Dad for just being him.

To say thanks in style, lets steer clear of the sock aisle, leave the ties to someone else and give Dad an experience of a lifetime with Virgin Balloon Flights!

With over 100 launch sites in England, Scotland & Wales, Dad’s adventure is never too far from home and includes a three to four hour experience with around an hour in the air on-board one of our iconic Virgin balloons.

What’s more, he’ll celebrate his voyage with a traditional Champagne toast after landing and will be presented with a certificate signed by the pilot and endorsed by Sir Richard Branson.

Now, for a short time, we’re offering up to a whopping 40% off Virgin Balloon Flight vouchers starting from as little at £89 per person and have luxury extra gifts from just £4.

Go on, make his day and take Dad to the skies!

UP TO 40% OFF BALLOON RIDE VOUCHERS – EXTRA GIFTS FOR DAD – 100+ LOCATIONS

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By Kirsty, April 12, 2012 10:07 am

It’s not only Her Majesty the Queen who has a jubilee in 2012 – some wacky scarecrows will be helping the jubilant villagers of Wray celebrate the Silver Jubilee of their annual country fair this year. And with the Olympics on the way, they’ll all be competing for their places on the winners’ rostrum…

Wray Fair is now an integral part of the ever-popular Wray Scarecrow Festival, one of the ‘cultural’ highlights of the Lune Valley’s calendar. Visitors (but not crows!) flock from far and wide to wander round the picturesque Lancashire village of Wray and enjoy the scarecrows which take over each spring. This year’s festival will start on Saturday 28th April and run through to Wray Fair on Monday 7th May. The first Wray Fair of the modern era was in 1986 (two were cancelled), so this year’s event will be the 25^th – it’s a wonderful achievement, which they’re eager to share. The scarecrows first started to appear in 1994 to help promote the fair, were an immediate hit, and have now become a major attraction in their own right.

To mark the occasion of Wray Fair’s Silver Jubilee, one of this year’s themes for the scarecrows will be ‘Anniversaries’. There are plenty to choose from – 2012 marks 200 years since the birth of Charles Dickens, 100 years since the sinking of the Titanic and, of course, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. There’s also a rather significant sporting event taking place in 2012, and so another theme will be ‘Sports and leisure’. Olympic-themed scarecrows will no doubt be jostling for position in the hunt for medals… along with more traditional offerings, topical creations and ingenious moving masterpieces. Virgin Balloon Flights have again generously donated a fabulous champagne balloon flight for two to the lucky overall winner.

For your chance to see the Scarecrows from the sky, you can fly from our Lancashire launch sites Wray, Crook O’Lune or Burton in Lonsdale from as little as £99 per person.

For the full timetable of events and information on the the village of Wray visit www.wrayvillage.co.uk

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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, September 6, 2011 11:56 am

The wait is finally over for Lovedbyparents.com fans, as the site announced the winners of their
hugely popular parenting awards.

Virgin Balloon Flights sponsored the ‘Blogger of the Year’ award for 2011 with a spectacular pair of flight vouchers for lucky winner Katy Earley who writes www.modernmummy.co.uk.

Tina Summers Editor of Lovedbyparents said, “We were thrilled that Virgin Balloon Flights agreed to sponsor Blogger Of The Year  2011 and delighted that they provided the prize of a Balloon Flight for winner,  Katy.”

Hundreds of products were entered into each category and thousands of people cast their votes for their favourites. Social media sites were buzzing  with excitement yesterday as the awards were announced throughout the day.

All products were tested by a group of real parents and shortlisted before opening the final decision to the public votes. Winners were provided with a prestigious Gold, Silver or Bronze Lovedbyparents Award badge.

Gold Winners included Maclaren for Best Pushchair, Babybjorn for Best Babysling Leapfrog for the Best Activity Toy and Pampers for Best 
Disposable Nappy.

Special award winners included Wendy Shand of Tots To Travel who scooped the first FabWoman Of the Year Award. An award that was created to celebrate women who have been inspired to create a
business as a direct result of becoming a mother.

”We have been delighted by the response and support of our very first year of parenting awards and would like to thank all of our readers for their enthusiasm and continued support. It is fantastic to see such great products with an award that is genuinely lovedbyparents,” added Tina.

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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 14, 2011 3:17 pm

A group of Midlands based footie fans are playing a 12 hour football marathon next month in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice and Virgin Balloon Flights flew in to give them a helping hand to raise some extra cash for their cause.

Richard Lewis, team manager & event organiser said “Last year myself and 6 others participated in our first 12 hour five-a-side football marathon on behalf of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. This involved us playing 12 different teams consecutively; with each opposing team playing only one hour to ensure their legs were fresh. With sponsors help, the event raised in excess of £2,600 for a worthwhile cause which justified our pain and injuries.”

“The setup is the same this year, another 12 five-a-side teams all against us. Only difference is this year we are supporting Acorns Children’s Hospice,” he added.

Hoping to better their fundraising total this year the boys are hard at work getting corporate sponsors to donate things, prize donations for  raffles and of course you can pledge your cash at http://www.VirginMoneyGiving.com/football-marathon2011

Keep your eyes peeled at their fundraising events for Virgin Balloon Flight hot air balloon rides and copies of Sir Richard Branson’s internationally bestselling autobiography ‘Losing My Virginity!’

Give the boys a helping hand to make life better for the children at Acorns through Virgin Money Giving.

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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!