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Balloon flight captures Goose Fair from the air

Caroline LowbridgeEast Midlands
Robin Macey An aerial view of various colourful rides and stalls at Goose Fair in Nottingham on 28 September 2026Robin Macey
A suitable weather slot allowed the hot air balloon club to fly over Goose Fair on Monday

The colourful sights of Nottingham's Goose Fair have been captured from the air by a unique hot air balloon club.

Members of Nottingham and Derby Hot Air Balloon Club launched from Nottingham High School on Monday before flying over the annual funfair.

The balloon club started in 1978 and is believed to be the only one in the UK with membership open to the general public.

Monday's flight was extra special for club members Robin Macey and his son Ashley, as they are both former pupils of Nottingham High School.

Robin Macey An aerial view of Nottingham High School taken from a hot air balloon on 28 September 2006Robin Macey
The flight launched from Nottingham High School

Robin said it was a "great flight" and they landed in Langley Mill in Derbyshire after 80 minutes.

"It was very special launching from the High School playground and getting great aerial views of both the school and Goose Fair," he said.

"I think it is only the fifth time that the club have flown over Goose Fair in the 48 years the club has been going, but now that the fair is on for 10 days rather than the original three days, there are obviously more potential suitable weather slots."

Robin Macey An aerial view of Goose Fair in Nottingham on 28 September 2026, showing rides including big wheelsRobin Macey
Goose Fair started as a livestock event where geese were sold, but it is now an annual funfair

Robin has made almost 400 flights since he joined the club in 1984.

The group is not-for-profit and people do not need previous experience to join, but they must be willing to take turns being in the ground crew as well as flying in the basket.

Speaking about Monday's flight, Robin said: "We also had a nice view of the centre of Nottingham.

"I got lots of interesting photographs of several different parts of Nottingham and even flew directly over my own house at Aspley."

Nottingham High School A hot air balloon in the sky next to Nottingham High SchoolNottingham High School
The balloon was flown over Nottingham by club pilot Sam Jenkins
David Webster Ashley Macey and Robin Macey in the basket of a hot air balloon as it flies over countrysideDavid Webster
Ashley Macey and his dad Robin Macey were also in the basket for Monday's flight

Goose Fair is being held at the Forest Recreation Ground until 4 October and entry is free.

The famous event dates back more than 700 years and was originally a livestock fair where people could buy geese, before it evolved into a funfair.

It was immortalised in a short story by DH Lawrence and the film Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, as well as the Alan Sillitoe novel of the same name.

Robin Macey Aerial view of Goose Fair in Nottingham with rides and people walking aroundRobin Macey
The photos captured Goose Fair attractions including ferris wheels and roller coasters

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