Latest news with #CameronBalloons
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol Balloon Fiesta gave me ballooning ambition at four
A balloon pilot says the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta inspired him to want to be a balloonist from the age of four. Doug Hoddinott, 37, who runs an advertising inflatables and balloon company in the city, started visiting the event as a young child and said it is still "the highlight of my year"."From the beginning, I just got infatuated with it and I've been told my first word was 'oon'," he said."Once you're at the balloon festival, you get to see balloons from around the country, from Europe, from the world. It's an exciting part of the event." Mr Hoddinot's grandmother lived in Cliftonwood, near the famous Cameron Balloons' base, and would write down all the test balloons she saw during the week for them to discuss when he visited at the weekend."As a boy, I was always excited when it got to the evening or when my grandmother woke me up early to see the balloons," he said."It was all the colours, all the shapes and sizes that just got me hooked."He bought his first balloon at 18, gained his pilot's licence two years later and three years ago made ballooning his full-time job by setting up his own company. He said, although things have changed and children live a more online life, there still seems to be a lot of young people getting involved in ballooning."And I think the biggest draw for balloons is the wacky shapes and vibrant colours. They always get the children excited," he said his favourite balloon "of all time is Rupert the Bear, no discussion". Working at the festival, Mr Hoddinot said the lead-up can be stressful, but he is always happy to be there. "There's a great camaraderie amongst balloonists. Everyone will help each other out. The whole ballooning fraternity supports each other," he said.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bristol Balloon Fiesta: Cameron Balloons staff celebrate founder
Friends and colleagues have been raising a glass to celebrate a man who helped establish the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, ahead of the event's Balloons founder, Don Cameron, who recently turned 86, is credited with putting Bristol and ballooning on the world map and being one of the founders of the popular Fiesta, which begins today and runs until and some friends built western Europe's first modern hot air balloon back in 1967 from his basement flat in the hobby quickly became a thriving business which moved into a disused church hall before expanding into its current flagship Bedminster factory. At a gathering to celebrate his birthday, Mr Cameron said: "Birthdays when you get to my stage are not good news at all. But it's better than the alternative!"He reminded staff of the balloon that started it all, the Bristol Belle, which was the first balloon that he made in the mid-60s."Quite a while back now. Let's hope we can go on for another half-century," Mr Cameron also took the opportunity to inspect the old balloon which is now a little timeworn, but still brings back a lot of memories. Cameron Balloons has faced challenges over the years said Mr Cameron's son Dave, who is the technical director of the business. He said: "There are some economic headwinds. Brexit was quite difficult for anyone that exports, business doesn't need big change like that. "And obviously some of the economic changes the government has brought in which puts a stress on. "But we're doing ok. We want to look after everyone that's here." Some Cameron Balloons staff members have worked for the company for decades. Julia Dalby from the sales team said: "Being involved in ballooning is being part of a large extended family. "It's just been a marvellous experience; a privilege to be part of that community."Sales director, Nick Purvis, added: "I started in 1978 in Cotham. "The whole business has grown, evolved, matured and to see our balloons now in these far flung places doing extraordinary things is one of the great joys." Younger team members are also rising through the ranks. Paul Waldby and Fleur Pryce are in training to become balloon Pryce said: "This business has made an impact on a lot of Bristolians. I feel like it's been a big part of the history here."It's really inspiring, it's nice to be a part of it."Mr Waldby, who is from Australia, said: "All I knew about the place is that there were balloons here, it's really quite iconic."In 1978, Don Cameron was asked to give a talk about his ballooning exploits, and the idea of a balloon fiesta was born in the pub the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta attracts hundreds of thousands of people and is the largest hot air balloon festival in Europe.
