MALMESBURY Concert Band (MCB) have announced plans to entertain crowds gathered to watch next weekend's Eclipse hot air balloon flight.
A giant hot air balloon carrying explorer David Hemplman-Adams and Conservative candidate for the North Wiltshire constituency James Gray in next month's general election is planned to lift off from the Cross Hayes car park in the centre of Malmesbury on Sunday, May 21 at 5pm.
The event commemorates the first hot air balloon flight from Malmesbury in 1881 by the then local MP, Walter Powell, a hot air balloon enthusiast.
MCB director of music Tony Fleming said: “We selected, and have been rehearsing, a number of pieces with a flying theme, which we hope will get everyone in the mood for this very special event.”
The band will be playing a selection of music including Up, Up and Away, The Balloon Polka and, of course, Those Magnificent Men in the Flying Machines.
One particular piece, Up in a Balloon, was played at the original launch in 1881 and has been traced and arranged especially for the occasion by Tony.
Weather permitting, the MCB will be playing at 3.30pm, before the planned balloon lift-off at 5pm.
Entrance to the event will be free and everyone is welcome to attend.
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