Photos/Lee GugliadaThe balloon flower acquired its common name due to the resemblance of its buds to a hot air balloon. Before its buds are about to unfold, they inflate into little balloon-like ...

Sadly, the last Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival took place in July 2004, bringing an end to the decades-long tradition of Southampton having an annual festival on the Common.

MOST of us remember Southampton Balloon and Flower Festival with great fondness – but it wasn’t without it’s problems. Like in 2002 when rain put a dampener on proceedings.