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A hot air balloon during its inspection process. This was taken during the heat wave, and the only time I felt cool in the whole tour was walking shoeless inside this amazing balloon. It fills the room. But then it would, wouldn’t it? Now, let’s go inside, shall we, and see what work needs to take place. Hero here? The building – it is big enough for all this large work.
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Dan is a rigger. He is installing the hot-air balloon’s internal controls. He’s using that glinting pair of scissors to finish the job. Looking around, it’s awe-inspiring to think about all the work that has gone in to making this one balloon. Now... let’s go upstairs.
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Janice is a skilled sewing machine manager at Cameron Balloons, here seen standing in the middle of one of the aerostats she is creating. Now, imagine many more sewing stations all around, and you get an idea of how big this operation is.
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Kerry concentrates while she sews beautiful hot air balloons. By now I’ve been in the building for only an hour, and the colours are making me feel so good about my day. Seeing every single part of the balloon being put together in such a careful, personal way makes you feel proud that all this local work goes all over the world wherever balloons fly.
36 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
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