Flight of fancy in Probus balloon talk
Strathaven and District Probus Club president Chris Hyslop opened proceedings by asking members to observe a minute’s silence to mark the death of David Gillies.
He congratulated Alistair Prentice and Bill McSeveny, who had reached the age of 90 and become entitled to life membership. Chris also announced that Bill Holden had become a member.
After secretary Graham Findlay conducted the routine business speaker Gordon McAllan addressed the members with his talk entitled ‘A Lot of Hot Air’.
Gordon took members back through time to 1783 and the origins of ballooning with the Montgolfier brothers and the balloons they built in the yard of their father’s Paris paper factory.
The brothers believed that holding the balloon envelope over a hot, smoky fire gave it a property they called levity and that was what caused it to rise.
Within the space of a few years balloons carried farm animals and then humans.
James Tytler from Edinburgh was soon in on the act and built The Great Edinburgh Fire Balloon, which flew in public displays several times.
Balloons, both hot air and gas-filled, became widely used in Europe and America for military, meteorological and laterally leisure purposes.
The advent of the Breitling Orbiter’s round-the-world trip in 1999 coincided with the first Strathaven Balloon Festival, held in the grounds of Strathaven Rugby Club.
This event has grown to be recognised as one of the top three balloon festivals in the UK and attracts worldwide interest.
Gordon, as a founder member of the small volunteer committee who run the festival, explained its origins, the involvement of Don Cameron, why they only fly early in the morning and at dusk, the constant search for funding and how the whole venture has grown.
The 10 volunteers have to raise £14,000 each year to allow the three-day event to happen. They have lots of local support and Gordon particularly mentioned the farming community in this regard.
20,000 people attended this year’s event, with 9500 at the evening burn when the tethered balloons dance to music.
Many of the balloonists, particularly those from abroad, comment on the beatiful views and serenity they experience floating above Strathaven and its surrounding countryside.
After the tea interval Gordon answered a wide range of questions from members, particularly about the costs involved in ballooning.
Andrew Walsh, in his vote of thanks, wished Gordon and the other nine volunteers all the best for their continued efforts in the promotion of the Strathaven community and further success for the balloon festival.