Popular public Spectacles

 By the 1820s hot air balloon ascents by travelling ‘aeronauts’ were well established as public entertainment. The first ascent from Leicester appears to have been in July 1824, when Mr Charles Green took off from ground adjoining the Gas Works near to Belgrave Gate. This, and later ascents from the Cricket Ground in Wharf Street, were witnessed by thousands of people, either within the enclosures or from rooftops or other vantage points. They became less popular as the novelty wore off, but continued to appear as part of the entertainment in larger events.

A drawing of how the 'mammoth balloon' looked like (not 100% accurate)

A new 'mammoth balloon' at the Forests' Fete

Along with foot races, bands, a magician, and a ‘Swiss piping bullfinch’, the Foresters’ Fete on the Racecourse in July 1864 promised an exhibition of Mr Henry Coxwell’s 90 feet high ‘NEW MAMMOTH BALLOON’. Tickets to accompany him on the flight were £3. 3s. and those for a partial ascent (tethered by ropes) 2s. 6d. However, as he was making his preparations, the temporary barriers around the balloon were broken down by the crowd, amid rumours that it was smaller and older than advertised. As a ‘dense mob’ rushed in, Mr. Coxwell opened the valve and allowed the gas to escape.

'A disgraceful riot'

The ‘mob’ then rushed to the balloon, ‘clinging, tearing and trampling’ it, and Mr Coxwell, had to be escorted from the ground by police. Parts of the balloon were paraded around the town and sold as ‘trophies’. Mr Coxwell claimed that he was forced to let the gas out ‘so as not to endanger the lives of his passengers, among whom were two ladies’, and blamed the disturbance on inadequate policing of the crowd of around 50,000. No one was prosecuted, but in order to restore something of Leicester’s damaged reputation a subscription was later raised to help reimburse the £700 cost of the balloon.