Balloons race around Europe

All Saints C of E Primary School Jubilee balloon race

All Saints C of E Primary School held a Jubilee balloon race, which has seen balloons reach as far as Germany, Holland and Slovakia.

Each pupil at the school released a balloon and the winner of the furthest travelling balloon will be announced at the end of term. Red, white and blue coloured balloons marked the Jubilee theme of the balloon race. Balloons were released at stages throughout the day, with a class at a time freeing their balloons.

Debbie Butterworth, chairwoman of the Parent Teacher Association, Friends of All Saints, said: “The response from people who have discovered our balloons has been overwhelming. We have received lots of kind messages and interesting stories of how they were found. 

“A large proportion of the balloons appear to have travelled east. The closest balloon was found by a family’s pet dog, in Sheffield. A number of balloons were found in Norfolk, one of which was discovered by children who also attend a school named All Saints. The two schools and pupils are going to keep up correspondence and links.”

One balloon reached a farming family in Salzkammergut, Upper-Austria. The family have 10 cows, a calf, a pig and 15 chickens amongst various other animals. Their 8- year-old son discovered the balloon in a meadow in front of their house, shortly after his father mowed the grass for his cows. Waltraud Wiener, the boys’ father said: “The card attached to the balloon was wet, so we contacted Rochdale Online to find out more about the balloon race.”

Other balloons have been found in Belgium, Holland and Germany. The furthest balloon so far was discovered in Slovakia.

Ms Butterworth said: “We are waiting until the end of term to announce the winner, in case any more balloons are yet to be found. The winner will be announced in the final assembly and will win a Rochdale football shirt.”