Bristol Balloon Fiesta: a trip down memory lane

There were a 117 flights in the first ever Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in 1979

The 46th Bristol International Balloon Festival kicks off this weekend, with 120 hot air balloons expected to take flight.

Although it is one of Europe's biggest balloon festivals, it didn't start that way.

The first edition of the fiesta, held in 1979, saw 27 hot air balloons take off.

The BBC have been given access to some archive pictures going back all the way to that fateful day in September.

The first ever ascent of balloons in the fiesta took the flotilla directly towards and over Bristol city centre

Richard Cardy, originally from Southampton, has been attending the fiesta for more than 40 years now.

"Ballooning for me really started when I attended one at Southampton Common (in 1997) and then we started to take things a little bit further distance wise," he said.

"In the following year, we rocked up to Bristol (for the 1988 fiesta) on Saturday morning and we found it a lot bigger, a lot more exciting, and a lot more special shapes. So we thought we should make this an annual event."

Mr Cardy previously chronicled the 21st anniversary of the event, and also contributed as the main researcher for Bristol and Ballooning, a book written to commemorate the fiesta's 30th anniversary.

The fiesta was the brainchild of Bristol-based hot air balloonist Don Cameron

The programme for the first ever Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Richard added: "The fiesta was an idea that world renowned balloon manufacturer Don Cameron came up with at the Bristol Gliding Club with a group of friends in 1978.

"At the time it was a real novel way of running a balloon fiesta where the costs would be met by sponsorship through local firms and businesses."

The weekend of 7-9 September was chosen for the event. A mass launch of 27 balloons kicked things off at Ashton Court opposite the Mansion House.

"If you go back to the first one in 1979, some of the early balloons, look at how simple they were than the complex ones that we have today," Richard said.

"It's always interesting to look back to see those old days and how Fiesta has grown over the years."

Prince Edward attended the fiesta in 1989 but poor weather meant he couldn't take a flight on one of the balloons.

For Richard, there have been many fiesta highlights, including the first ever appearance by a member of the royal family.

He said: "Prince Edward made an appearance back in 1989.

"Unfortunately, the weather wasn't playing ball that Sunday evening, but he was pictured by the local press and national press as well in the basket with a pilot well known at the fiesta, Robin Batchelor."

Two years later, in 1991 a logistical error brought about another curious moment.

"There was one particular team that travelled all the way from Holland only to find that the fiesta was the previous week."

The fiesta has featured many balloons with brand motifs like Virgin Airways, Churchill Insurance and even Tesco

Many familiar characters have featured at the fiesta, including Sonic the Hedgehog

For anyone who has this weekend free and is wondering what to do, Richard said: "Attend the Fiesta. You won't be disappointed. You never know what's gonna be there, who's going to turn up. It's fantastic, you'll see a lovely array of balloons.

"The morning is the best time. It's difficult to get up in the morning, but if you've got all that to see and look forward to, it's well worth it. Bring the kids along, they'll love it and it'll be something they talk about for years to come."