Evening Telegraph, 11 August 1997, transcribed by Kay Collins

Intrepid Arthur goes up, up and away on special birthday

INTREPID 90-year-old cameraman Arthur George has achieved his ambition of aerial photography - from a hot air balloon.

Mr George, who still runs his own photography business from his home in Washbrook Road, Rushden, is also a keen local historian.

His wish to ride in a hot air balloon was granted by friends in Rushden Amenities Society, who had a whip-round for his 90th birthday.

He said: "I really enjoyed it. I had heard on the radio about these flights and felt I would really like to have a go.

"It was marvellous to see the tiny houses and churches and fields of all shapes from the air. Everything was so peaceful.

A rare picture of Arthur beaming!

"We started from near the water tower in Wollaston and came down in a cornfield which had been harvested near Brington. It was quite a bumpy landing. We were in the air for about an hour and flew at a height of 3,000ft.

"I took some transparencies and prints but I'm not sure how they will turn out because we were travelling towards the sun.

"I have flown in aircraft but never ever in a light aircraft, let alone a balloon."

After the flight on Thursday the keen traveller is now looking forward to his next adventure - a trip through the Channel tunnel. He has two nieces, two great-nephews and a great-great-nephew and his family have offered to pay for the trip to France.