Throughout 2010 the town of Monmouth is marking the centenary of the death of Charles Rolls, the aviator and one half of the Rolls Royce partnership, and a local hero. The ‘Festival of Air’ season has brought all the commemorative events under one banner and local event organisers have pulled together to think outside of the box, just as Rolls himself would have done, to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience.
Among the many ‘Festival of Air’ events being held this summer, one in particular promises to stay in the memory for a very long time to come. The Kite Festival and Balloon Glow at Monmouth Showground (1st August) is a joint project between three established events and their organisers, namely Monmouth Festival, Monmouthshire Show and The Rotary Club of Monmouth, and combines several air-based sports and activities into one glorious summer’s day of fresh air and relaxation.
For those for whom the term ‘balloon glow’ is an unknown quantity, it consists of a number of hot air balloons taking part in a spectacular display of movement and light, accompanied by music and darkening skies. The atmosphere can be spellbinding and it’s not hard to see the link back to the life of Charles Rolls, who achieved the longest single flight time in a hot air balloon, back in 1903.
Since the event’s inception, additional attractions have been added to create a full afternoon and evening of family entertainment and refreshment as a finale to the Monmouth Festival. And it’s all free of charge. Especially if you bring your own picnic to enjoy in this Wye Valley setting.
Monmouthshire Show organiser Kay Spencer explains the format for the day:
"The afternoon starts at 3pm with the Kite Festival. The Rotary Club of Monmouth was keen to rejuvenate the old Monmouth Kite Festival and there will be displays of static, single line and traction kites as well as kite-making workshops and a chance for children to fly their creations on the showground. A micro light flight landing will take place and we may also be visited by the Tigers Sky Diving Team. At 7pm, the balloons take centre stage and can be seen firing up and inflating for the balloon glow itself. And the festivities close with a fireworks display as a fitting end to the Monmouth Festival and the celebration of the life of Charles Rolls."
So many of the day’s elements would be recognisable by Rolls himself; organisers hope that he would have approved of this tribute to his life and achievements.
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Image courtesy of Monmouthshire Show Society
