A Bristol balloon taking part in today’s world-record flight across the English Channel also conveyed the vital message that the city is still very much open for business with Europe.
The balloon owned by Business West, UWE Bristol and Destination Bristol was among the 82 that flew across the Channel from Dover in a world record-breaking mass flight. 
But it’s arrival in France was as much about cross-border trade post-Brexit as getting into the record books. The crew took a hamper of West of England produce to showcase the region’s food and drink sectors and strengthen the entente cordiale between Bristol and France.
Business West international trade director James Monk said: “Our pilot Derek Maltby approached us a few months ago wanting to be involved with a chance to break the world record and it was just too tempting an opportunity to miss.
“The South West is a renowned region globally for its quality food and drink produce, and chocolate, cider, cheese, tea, fudge and a range of ales were just a few of the products that we took to France in a luxury hamper.”
He said HMRC’s stats for March 2017 show that exports to the South West’s third largest export market, France, increased by 24.5% from £1.6bn in 2015 to £2bn in 2016.
“So it was highly appropriate that our hamper of South West goodies was handed over to the French owners of the field that the balloon landed in.”
UWE spokesman Keith Hicks added: “In addition to exports, higher education continues to be attractive to our European neighbours with the number of EU students applying to UWE currently up 6% against a national UK decline of 7%.
“We were delighted to be supporting the record balloon flight over the English Channel. This region has benefitted from the university’s strong connections with Europe and we are keen to maintain these.”
And Destination Bristol chief executive John Hirst said: “Congratulations from everyone at Destination Bristol to Derek Maltby and his team, a great achievement! This will help us to further promote Bristol on the international stage and encourage even more people to visit – especially bearing in mind our great ballooning reputation.”
Pictured. Above, the Business West, UWE Bristol and Destination Bristol balloon. Photo by Jon Craig. @Jon Craig.co.uk. Below, the Derek Maltby, pilot of the Bristol Balloon, presents French farmers with a Taste of the West luxury hamper
