August 28, 2014, by Lindsay Brooke
Hot air balloons take flight this weekend
The University of Nottingham’s hot air balloon is heading to Chatsworth this weekend for the annual Chatsworth Country Fair. In past years it has made a spectacular sight over one of our much loved stately homes.
Among the people flying balloons this weekend will be alumnus Robin Macey. He’s kindly sent us some of the pictures he’s taken during previous flights over University Park and Jubilee Campus. Robin, who graduated from in 1982 with a Bsc in Mathematics, has taken many thousands of local aerial photos during more than 200 balloon flights.
He said: “I have been a member of Nottingham & Derby Hot Air Balloon Club since 1984. The club is a non-profit making group of enthusiasts which was started in 1978. One of the founder members was Ian Hooker who was a lecturer in the Law Department for many years (think might be more than 30 years) and was also warden of Lenton Hall util he retired. Ian Hooker is still a qualified balloon pilot and is currently the chairman of the BBAC (British Balloons and Airships Club). I had my first ever balloon flight with Ian Hooker.”
A gallery of his images is below.
The University of Nottingham Balloon was piloted by Dr Janet Folkes who died after a long battle with breast cancer. Her dedicated team of supporters keep the balloon flying. Weather permitting it should be in the air again this weekend.
I have some pics of G-NUNI at Chatsworth – how can I submit them for posting here?
You can email them to digicomms@nottingham.ac.uk