I WAS surprised to read Michael Carr’s recent article on the current campaign to bring back the Southampton Balloon Festival, in the Echo on March 13.

I was more surprised to read that the current campaign and petition seems to have been initiated by a letter I submitted to the Echo some time ago.

It is, however, no surprise to me that the people of the south have long memories and a passion for this wonderful event that will not go away.

If the show is to be brought back, the problem of the busier airspace would have to be accommodated but in mitigation, some festival balloons could be equipped with identification transponders and radios, making Air Traffic Control’s task easier and safer.

I currently run two major air displays which are in the controlled airspace of international airports and I have been involved with the Bristol Balloon Fiesta for 14 years, which is in Bristol Airport’s airspace, and Balloons over Waikato in New Zealand, which is in Hamilton Airport’s airspace, with few problems experienced.

I was also on the organising team of the original event.

It is true, however, that times have changed since the last festival and if we do manage to bring back the balloons, the event would probably be a little different from the original.

It is almost certain that the event would not be totally free as before but I am sure most people would be happy to pay a moderate entrance fee to help the event back. We would also be looking for support from local and regional business sponsorship but the rewards from the PR exposure and public goodwill must be self-evident.

2016 would be an achievable lead-in time to get the show back, subject to a serious technical feasibility plan and meeting between the various interested parties. It is also fortunate that virtually all of the key staff that ran the original show are still working in Southampton City Council’s event team, with a wealth of experience and professional expertise with staging this show still available.

If asked, I would be happy to spend some time seriously investigating the possibility of restarting this wonderful event and putting the smiles back over Southampton again.

I would be pleased to hear from any local businesses who may be interested in possible sponsorship of all or parts of the show at flyingdirector@aol.com.

Trevor Graham, Southampton