Scouts help land hot air balloon during camping trip

A Scout group were unexpectedly recruited to help land a hot air balloon as they prepared to set up camp.

The 1st Beddau Scout Group from Rhondda Cynon Taff had just arrived at their pitch in Tockington, Bristol, when balloon pilot Peter De Herdt passed overhead and then asked the boys to assist.

His balloon was one of about 50 taking part in a mass ascent for Bristol Balloon Fiesta, which left Ashton Court Estate on Saturday evening.

About 50 minutes later, the scouts, aged between 11 and 14, used a rope to assist with the balloon's recovery after it ended up in a field with its seven occupants.

Scout group treasurer Helen Williams said it was "100%" an experience the boys would remember.

Some were camping away from home for the first time, she added.

De Herdt, from Antwerp, Belgium, was flying an orange and brown balloon for Belgian shoe shop Tim's, one of 125 balloons at the fiesta this year.

In its 48th year, the annual weekend event is attended by balloonists from across the world, including Switzerland, Germany, Mexico and the US.

The Scouts were called on to pull a rope attached to the balloon under De Herdt's direction.

"When we were in the approach of the landing, we passed the camp, the scouting camp, and we saw all the boys," he said.

"I always invite people to come closer to the basket because often they've never seen a hot air balloon from that close.

"In this case, with the boys, it was really nice to have them close to the basket because they're very enthusiastic."

He continued: "You can let them pull the balloon and for deflation it saves us effort - and they will never forget.

"So it was really nice to give them the opportunity to do this for us."

Scout leader Matthew Bailey added it marked a "great start" to the troupe's week-long trip.