London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta was cancelled again due to last-minute weather issues. Originally scheduled for July 7, it may now be rescheduled for July 28.
What caused the last-minute cancellation of the balloon event?
The scheduled Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, which has not been carried out for five years, has once more been withdrawn due to last-minute weather problems. The event, originally designed for July 7, was set to initiate at 5.30 am on Sunday as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show celebrations.
However, to the disappointment of early-rising Londoners eager to glimpse the spectacle, organisers informed the postponement at 6.42 am. A statement on Facebook said: “Unfortunately the forecast change in wind direction has not materialised, and we have made the difficult decision to stand down the scheduled flight this morning for the safety of all teams on board. We appreciate the support from everyone involved, especially the public who have interacted with us and come out for the flight.”
Why has the regatta been cancelled multiple times since 2019?
The annual concert usually catches around 50 balloons flying above the city as part of an attraction to raise money for charity. Up to 2019, almost £250,000 had been raised. However, the event has not occurred since 2019 – having twice been cancelled due to COVID-19 and then in 2022 and 2023 due to adverse weather.
Having now withdrawn twice in 2024, organisers will be expecting the event to be possible on the final day they had put aside, next Sunday, July 28. “We now roll to our next standby date,” the statement added.
How did social media users respond to the cancellation?
The blow was shared among Londoners on social media who had made journeys across the capital to get a satisfactory view of the balloons rising. “Shoutout to everyone who has dedicated their Sunday morning to try and see the spectacle,” stated one Instagram user. “Anyone in Battersea wants to go grab a coffee?”
A second wrote: “Monumental waste of time made more sinister by complete lack of updates.
“Should have known better seeing as the event has consistently been cancelled at the last minute since 2019.” And a third stated: “And the fickle British weather succeeds again. Such a shame, fingers are struck for next weekend. Hope the teams are not too fatigued after what has doubtless been a long morning.”