Peter and Margaret Long with some of the balloons before they are released
THE WEATHER stayed fine, winds were light and at exactly 4pm on Saturday, July 12 (to the strains of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture) all eyes were turned skywards to marvel at the spectacular sight of over 1,300 coloured balloons (all completely bio-degradable) being released.
The event, held in Cattistock Playing Field and organised by Children of Fiji, raised over £2,000 to help disadvantaged children in the Fiji Islands.
We would like to thank all those who worked so hard on the day by helping to blow up balloons, tie the knots, attach the labels and keep them from escaping from the net before the four o'clock release.
Many thanks too to everyone who bought balloons or sold them on our behalf.
A similar event last year resulted in the winning balloon being found by someone in Lithuania.
Others were found along a line stretching from Cattistock to the Norfolk coast.
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This year the wind was in a different direction and many of the balloon labels have been picked up on the Isle of Wight.
So far the winning balloon is one that was found in Hythe on the Kent coast, but the closing date for returns is Monday, August 11, so there is still plenty of time for balloons to be found on the far side of the channel!
The balloons take to the skies
The prize for the owner of the winning balloon will be a hot air balloon ride for two, available at various locations across the UK and valid for a year.
Plans are already well under way for another balloon release on Saturday, July 11 next year.
It might seem a long way off, but we would be delighted to hear from anyone willing to help out on the day or with the selling of balloons beforehand.
Needless to say, we would also like to hear from any company willing to sponsor the purchase of the balloons or next year's prize.
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