Balloon "Great North Star" at Halifax / Darfield.

On Wednesday, 10th October 1838 a planned balloon flight was advertised to take place from the Piece Hall, Halifax by one of the most famous balloonist aeronauts of the period, Charles Brown. A charge was made to enter the centre of the Piece Hall with many other people waiting on surrounding hills to witness the event. It was announced that the flight would carry either five or six people including the aeronaut. The filling of the balloon was attempted using the town gas supply but when it came to everyone getting into the car the balloon would not lift off the ground owing to not enough gas supply. Everyone got out of the car and either deliberately or accidentally the tether was released, the balloon then rose and floated off. The balloon was later found in a field at Mr Coward's bleachfields at Darfield near Barnsley and appears to have been slightly damaged. People who had paid admission fees apparently became somewhat dis-satisfied by the whole experience. This came around six months after an earlier failed flight from Halifax. The local newspapers were less than favourable to the balloonist where the problem probably lay with the town's gas supply.

Balloon car empty.