Car is launched from trebuchet at Shropshire fundraiser
Going, going, gone. This old Peugeot 106 is loaded into a giant catapult and flung through the air – before meeting a sorry end when it lands.
The car was the first object to be hurled by the trebuchet – a 60ft medieval siege weapon – which was set up at a farm in Shropshire. And it was followed through the skies by a church organ and a petrol bomb, which detonated in mid-air.
Hundreds of people gathered to watch the spectacle, which was held yesterday to raise money for a new organ at Acton Round Church, near Bridgnorth.
The trebuchet was commissioned by Journey's End Wines, a vineyard in South Africa, to raise funds for the organ and causes local to the winery near Stellenbosch. The event also marked the launch of the Journey's End 2008 Trebuchet Syrah.
Rollo Gabb, who lives at Munslow, near Craven Arms, and whose family owns and runs Journey's End, said: "Ever since I first saw a trebuchet in action nearly 20 years ago I have wanted to include one in a project – and tying it in with one of our vintages seemed like an ideal opportunity.
"We owe a big debt of thanks to Hew Kennedy and his team, for not only engineering the trebuchet and putting it together, but also for hosting the event."
