The Air Balloon: the cultural significance of “landmarks”.

The historic Air Balloon pub, built in 1776 on Crickley Hill and named to commemorate balloon flights from there, is prominently positioned high on the Cotswold scarp and is much loved as a landmark for travellers from far and wide. Sadly the pub closed its doors for a final time on New Years Eve and will soon be demolished, a victim of plans to build a new road.

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There is perhaps a lesson for our “cultural guardians” at Stonehenge: isn’t the huge number of expressions of regret at the loss of the Air Balloon a testament to the truth that landmarks are as much an essential element of culture as destinations? Anything that raises the spirits of millions of travelers should surely be jealously protected?

As Jacob Rees-Mogg told the Commons: “One of the joys of going on the current A303 is that one gets a glimpse of Stonehenge and I think that is a great benefit and it’s uplifting for people to see”. So why hide it from our children’s children’s children?

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