Look back: Balloon stunt in Bradford for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

On Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee day, on June22, 1897, famous aerial balloonist Rubin Bramhall made a magnificent ascent from Peel Park in Undercliffe in honour of Her Majesty.

Crowds gathered to watch in awe - this was, of course, in the days before aeroplanes, when flight was an almost impossible fancy.

Says Vincent: “A balloon was ascended from Peel Park to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in June 1897. This was performed by Rubin Bramhall, who was working in the area in the 1890s.”

But it wasn’t the first time that a hot air balloon had gone up in Peel Park, as Vincent tells us.

Some years before Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee event, in the summer of 1889, Bradford played host to a visit from an international VIP.

“On July 24, 25 and 26, 1889, the Shah of Persia visited Bradford,” says Vincent. “His name was Nasir Ed-Din. During his visit the Council arranged for balloonist JT Betson of Huddersfield to make an ascent in a hot air balloon from Peel Park.

“Mr Betson agreed to supply 240,000 cu feet of gas for the ascent, and he charged the city of Bradford £14 for the event.”

Adds Vincent : “Nasir Ed-Din and his party slept in the Council chambers during their visit.

The Shah’s visit caused quite a stir in Victorian Bradford. No shrinking violet, the Shah liked to be known as ‘The Centre of the Universe’ and ‘The Fountain of Ligh’. He arrived at the then Midland Station in the city with a large entourage, including his Grand Vizier, his special physician, his high steward, two aides-de-camp and five chamberlains.

Bradford Council - literally - rolled out the red carpet for the Shah’s arrival, and the Town Hall was decorated in grand style for his party to stay on their three-day visit - with awnings erected over the entrance, 1,400 roses flanking the steps, and a huge brass bed covered with muslin and silk set up in the Mayor’s library.