Description: Preparing for a balloon ascent at the Annual Exhibition of the Ilkeston Floral and Horticultural Society on Bank Holiday Monday, 5th August 1901. Around 6.30pm. Percival Spencer, accompanied by G P Cowper of Berkhamsted and Tom Meakin of Ilkeston ascended and proceeded eastwards over Nottingham and Grantham, landing about six miles to the east of Grantham, at Ropsley. They travelled 48 miles in two hours and 10 minutes.