The weather had remained stable throughout the day and the forecast was good for our hot air balloon flight over Norfolk. Today we would launch from Eccles hall school, which is located between Attleborough and Snetterton race circuit. One of our passengers a Mr Len Horrox arrived with a large number of family members wearing his 60th birthday badge! To start with Len had no idea where his family was taking him.On arrival it soon became apparent what was in stall, judging by his smile the balloon ride was going to be a winner.We soon prepared the balloon was help was in abundance, the breeze started to subside and we were airborne at 7.50 p.m. Looking back at the race circuit many of our passengers did not realise the history behind it. Starting off during the Second World War it was built as a busy airbase for American flying fortresses B17’s which supported the airfields at Old Buckenham and Thorpe Abbotts. Eccles school was used as a hospital tending to the injured airmen from these bases.We drifted over Hargham on over the busy market town of Attleborough. Eventually landing in a fallow field in the village of Deopham. All the passengers’ family and friends watched the balloon land with great excitement. The farmer Mrs Hasting gave the crew and family permission to enter the field. It was quite a pleasant surprise to find out that we had flown her son some sixteen years ago, goodness time does fly.
‘Brilliant birthday present, great evening both my family and I loved every bit of it’
Len Horrox