Northampton Balloon Festival - a summary

I think this picture sums up the pinnacle of Northampton Borough Council's events calendar.

For the first time, they decided to charge an entry fee for adults to what has traditionally been a free festival. It was combined with the County Show some time ago, and since then, it has never looked forward.
Ok, the balloon bit is normally spectacular - hundreds of balloons taking off twice a day, and then at dusk, returning to "burn". This provides a really cool light show for the spectators. This is supported by displays, craft exhibitions and the inevitable traders and fun-fair. It's fine if you want to buy some insurance or a new roof or some driving lessons, but most of this is irrelevant. When you used to get in free, this rubbish could be tolerated. Now you have to pay, the expectation is that standards should improve. Imagine this with no balloons. They took off on Friday, but have done nothing since.
Flick, Ed and I went to see some balloons today at 4:30 - we were charged £4 each having been assured that although the balloons wouldn't be flying, they would be doing a burn later.

Not a bit of it, the Air Ambulance helicopter did a few circuits and bumps - that was their display - then it rained, then everybody packed up and went home. We had basically paid twelve quid for the priviledge of buying some over-priced burgers and getting very wet. We were out of the place in under an hour.

Northampton Borough Council are a bunch of thieving bastards and should be ashamed of themselves. I shall be writing to tell them that forthwith.

At least when I went in the early hours of yesterday to find there were no balloons, I got in for free. Perhaps I should be feeling grateful.

Rant over.

Have a good week folks.

EDIT: Thanks seaurchin, Northampton Borough Council is going into room 101