Does anyone out there know much about them? I am interested in knowing the legalities of them coming low (very low!!!) hovering over fields & frightening livestock. :(

Sam - We have a balloon near to me and I went up a couple of years ago. The pilot was fantastic and he told us how he has to keep an eye out for pigs in particluar as balloon's burners can spook them so if he sees any he has to climb to avoid them hearing the burner. He told us they are allowed by law to land in any field but some farmers don't like it and that they try to be very careful and find a field without current crops. We landed in a field of stubble - ouch!! We also flew very very low over one field of wheat brushing the ripened tops with the basket - fab:D

From what he said - they are not allowed to frighten livestock - but hovering over fields is OK. Sounds like you might have a bad 'un around you then:rolleyes:

Pam n the boys

Not a great help Sam but anyone operating a balloon must have a licence and these are granted by the Civil Aviation Authority so you may find legislation details on their web site. Comes up under a google search I just can't do links

reported it to CAA, now working on the governing body of balloonists...yes there is one apparently!

Sam's spot on. Report them to the CAA. Take the number of the balloon as reference.
Good old Tony's goverment are setting up a department for balloonists....!!!!!! just be a load of hot air?????? :)
Of course if they LAND in your field, you are entitled to charge them a 'landing fee'.
That tends to make them look for somewhere else next time.
Pays for a beer or several though.
Mrs B says I'm just plain mean, making them pay. Yup thats me.

Its so nice to be back home........................oh the fishing???

Better go....start dagging lambs for an hour or so.

dagging eh, lucky you! we still have 400 sheep to shear this weekend...I can feel the back aching already!