An Oxford Mail reporter unexpectedly found himself the subject of a ‘hijack’ while covering a local event, when he was taken for a ride in a hot air balloon.

Nigel Hanson had been reporting on the annual Oxford Balloon Fiesta for his newspaper when he was invited to enjoy his first balloon trip by pilot Derek Maltby.

However, once up in the air taking in the views, Nigel realised that the balloon was plastered with an advert for Bristol’s Capital of Culture 2008 Bid – a rival to Oxford’s own bid.

Nigel said: “I soon realised I was being held hostage by enemy forces.

“It hadn’t sunk in before take-off: we were aboard a Bristol Chamber of Commerce-sponsored balloon, advertising ‘Bristol’s Capital of Culture 2008 Bid’ in large yellow letters. There was no sign of a pro-Oxford balloon.”

Once Derek had his ‘victim’ captive, he pointed out that his balloon was decorated with silhouettes of Bristol landmarks and put the city’s case forward.

Nigel said: “Derek raised a skull and crossbones flag (I jest not) and pointed to his mascot, a full-size plastic skeleton called Stella, that he trails from the balloon wherever he goes.

“Becalmed above Wadham College, he blew a huntsman’s horn and taunted the good folk of Oxford about their slim chances of winning the culture bid. I couldn’t come to blows because we were 200ft up.

“The humiliation was complete when, after packing the balloon into the trailer of his 4×4, he managed to tune in to BBC Radio Bristol and rang the station to gloat that he had ‘the Oxford press’ captive in the back of his car.”

However Nigel had the last laugh when he went back to file his report on his adventure from the safety of the newsroom.

He said: “Let’s face it, if balloons are Bristol’s main cultural thing – and I’m reliably informed they are – we shouldn’t have much to worry about.”

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