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Basingstoke Kite Festival

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June 2003

Location: Down Grange Playing Fields, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Organised by: Alan Cosgrove / Loddon Valley Kite Flyers

Saturday at Basingstoke was very busy as the combination of sun and wind brought out many families and kiteflyers alike. Plenty of kite traders and food stalls were on hand to dish up goodies. Sunday was a quieter day, due to the unpredictable weather (rain showers, and feeling cooler than Saturday).

Invited kite flyers from around the UK and France attended, including The Flying Squad, Matrix Management, Nick James, Mattieu Mayet, Didier Ferment and Collectif Zoone.

Zoone invited children in to the arena to fly their Bird kites - which proved very popular, with scores of parents and children lining up to fly these beautiful kites.

Andy Wardley was flying more prototype Airbows, this time with different sail colour schemes, and we have been assured that the finished product will be available shortly...

Andrew Beattie's Peter Lynn Manta Ray sat high above Basingstoke all day Saturday - we estimate at about 1000 feet - and for most of Sunday at a lower altitude, apart from when the rain and thunder threatened. There was also a brief glimpse of the Red Arrows on Saturday afternoon as they flew over the centre of Basingstoke, probably no more than half a mile from the kite festival. It looked like they were at a lower altitude than the Manta Ray!

Mattieu Mayet wowed the crowds with his two-line ballet and trick flying. The Flying Squad did various routines with different members of the team (including their "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" with stacks of rainbow Revolutions - always a crowd pleaser). Matrix Management demonstrated team ballet flying, with a new (temporary?) member Paul Collins. There were also altitude sprint and Rokkaku competitions, all won (on Saturday at least!) by Dave Nicholl.

Didier Ferment had his Aeolian Wind Garden set up at one side of the arena, and was flying various kites throughout the weekend, including the pretty 'Papillon' which can be modified to fly with either one, two or four lines.

In all, we had a very pleasant time at Basingstoke - plenty of new kites to see, people to meet, and the usual friendly laid-back atmosphere.


Zoone's Bird kites pleased the children who were invited to fly them

'Cendres' by Zoone	A Carl Robertshaw Delta Serpent	Andrew Beattie's Manta Ray very high over Basingstoke!

Andy Wardley about to land his Airbow on Brian...	... and later, chilling out	The Flying Squad performing for the crowds

Mattieu Mayet from France, showing his expertise with two lines.

Nick James from Bristol, with his Angels and kite arch.

Axl Ferraro (10) and Chris Goff (13) with their Dot Matrix kites	Dave Nicholl flying a 'Double Ba' made by Helene Morgan of Skybums