Eight schools have been selected
The meet the pilot event on the first day of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, where festivalgoers can step into baskets, light burners and get to know pilots and their crews(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has unveiled the shortlist for this year’s Schools Tether Roadshow.
The inaugural event, which will take place throughout July in the run-up to this year’s Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court Estate, will see balloon crews visit chosen schools and tether balloons for a hands-on lesson all about the world of ballooning.
Following April’s call for applications, 400 schools registered their interest in taking part, and this list has been whittled down to just eight, which have been selected to welcome balloons and their pilots into their grounds.
These include schools from across north, east, south and west Bristol, including North Somerset – from Westbury-on-Trym to Knowle, Flax Bourton to Southmead, Withywood to Eastville, Staple Hill, and Nailsea.
Each school has been offered two potential dates for their balloon tether between July 1 and the end of term, with the final date to be chosen based on weather conditions.
If weather prevents a full hot air balloon tether, back up plans are in place using model hot air balloons, and in very poor weather a special assembly presentation.
The eight schools chosen to participate include:
- St Ursulas E-ACT Academy (Westbury-on-Trym)
- Knowle Park Primary (Knowle)
- Flax Bourton Primary (Flax Bourton, North Somerset)
- Fonthill Primary (Southmead)
- E-ACT Merchants Academy Primary (Withywood)
- Glenfrome Primary (Eastville)
- The Tynings Primary (Staple Hill)
- Ravenswood (Nailsea)
As part of the Fiesta’s ongoing community programmes, which last year saw local heroes take flight in balloon baskets from Ashton Court Estate, the Tether Roadshow aims to ‘ignite excitement and curiosity in pupils across the city, providing them with the unique opportunity to experience the magic of hot air ballooning, meet the pilots and their teams, and understand the science behind one of Bristol’s most iconic heritage sports’.
Ben Hardy, executive director at Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “The Balloon Fiesta is a unique event that has captivated generations of Bristolians, and we’re determined to bring the ballooning magic to children throughout the city.
“Bringing balloons directly into school playgrounds not only provides a great learning opportunity but also creates special memories that will last forever. We’re looking forward to inspiring the next generation of Fiesta-goers, and maybe even future pilots!”
While only eight schools have been selected to host tethered balloons this summer, every school that applied will receive a special Fiesta Schools Activity Pack, with resources to help teachers bring the magic of ballooning into the classroom and celebrate the city’s connection to hot air balloons.
This year’s Bristol International Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court Estate takes place between Friday, August 8, and Sunday, August 10, with two Night Glow events, six possible mass ascents, meet the pilot opportunities, and the brand new ‘In The Clouds’ experience.
You can read more in this BristolLive article here.