Redrow takes to the skies

Fri, Oct 6th 2006, 11:00

People in and around Wrexham, settling down after their Sunday roast, were in for a surprise when a large red object glided through the sky above them.

However it wasn’t a UFO, it was house builder Redrow’s very own hot air balloon making its maiden flight in Wales.

Redrow has introduced the huge red balloon to give its customers an interesting perspective of its developments – and the outing from Pentre Bach, on Ruthin Road in Wrexham, was the balloon’s first voyage in Wales.

Earlier on in the day, visitors to Pentre Bach were treated to a free hot dog and hot drink as they eagerly awaited a tethered flight in the balloon. But as the event came to a close two lucky people and their guests got to fly off into the distance.

Patsy Aicken, sales director for Redrow Homes (North West) says: "It was a great way to open our three new show homes and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

"Plenty of people managed to see Pentre Bach from the balloon and once the wind dropped, four of our guests managed to go on a special sunset flight which took them from Wrexham to Hope.

Jane White, from Coedpoeth, and Neil Jones, of Gwersyllt, had won a full flight in the balloon with a guest each.

Jane says: "My husband and I had a really good day. The views from the balloon were fantastic. We flew over Gwersyllt and Bradley and after an hour landed near Hope. It was a great experience and I’d love to do it again!"

Somebody who was obviously excited about the balloon flight was Neil, who managed to squeeze in the flight even though his nine months pregnant wife was about to go into hospital to give birth to their first child. He was accompanied for the flight by a work colleague instead.

Patsy adds: "Neil seemed determined to have his flight, even though it was touch and go if he would get to the hospital on time.

"As the balloon flew over Gwersyllt, cool-as-a-cucumber Neil was even able to have a mid-air chat with one of his neighbours!"

Neil says: "I’d not seen my friend for ages; I was actually the best man at his wedding. As we flew over his mum’s house I saw him in the garden and called out their names. They looked up and were just like "Oh, hi Neil, has Sarah had the baby yet?" They didn’t seem puzzled by the balloon. The whole experience was just brilliant!"

Like the balloon, Redrow’s development of two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses has really taken off. Current availability at Pentre Bach includes a selection of three and four-bedroom properties, with prices from £160,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached Ennerdale house, up to £285,000 for a four-bedroom detached Tamar with double garage.

Almost 30 properties have already been sold off-plan and now that three new show homes have opened – which offer the chance to really visualise life in a Redrow home – it is sure to inflate Pentre Bach’s popularity even further.For more information about Pentre Bach call Redrow’s sales consultants on 0845 676 0367.