Europe’s First Modern Hot Air Balloon Bristol Belle Welcomes Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

July 15, 2017 Chopsy Baby

It’s less than a month to go until the annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta with a special balloon inflated in the city to mark the countdown.

The Bristol Belle was Europe’s first modern hot air balloon, created by Bill Malpas, Mark Westwood, Giles Bulmer, and Don Cameron of the Bristol Gliding Club in 1967.

The fifty year old balloon has too many holes to fly safely, but she stood proudly next to the contemporary Bristol Energy Solar balloon to welcome the summer event.

More than 150 hot air balloons from around the world will fill the Bristol skyline from 10-13 August 2017.