The country celebrated a Royal Jubilee, England won the Ashes. We grumbled about the weather. And there were other things to remember, too.
A series of seven new films
6: A Beautiful Way, to Travel
Hanging motionless in a basket at the whim of the wind - adrift with the clouds in the stillness of the break of day - or gliding slowly down to earth in the lengthening shadows of dusk; at first sight, hardly the image of sportsmen straining every sinew of success; Yet here in Britain this summer, Don Cameron and Dick Wirth were each hoping to become World Champion - competing in hot-air balloons-and we follow their fortunes as they took to the skies. Riding on the wind, balloon pilots throw all their skills into grasping what little control they can find; a sudden gust of wind, and precious yards are lost as they attempt to steer their rudderless craft towards a target. Winning takes skill, courage - and luck. But win or lose, with nature so supremely in command, the elegant, aimless journey of hot-air balloons across the sky is, above everything else, a beautiful way to travel.
Film cameramen
PETER MIDDLETON , NICK GIFFORD Sound JOHN HAYES , LEO POLLINI Film editor TONY PORTER Producer DAVID FILKIN