Garry Davidson
Saving Shaw's Moonrocket for Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre
Fundraising for The Fairground Heritage Trust
Story
We're aiming to buy the last remaining Moonrocket, the first White Knuckle ride and display it at Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Devon.
It became apparent in early 2016 that Shaw's Moonrocket would need purchasing soon if we wanted to save this important ride for the public to enjoy as part of the National Fairground Collection at Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre.
Built in 1939 it is the last survivor of 18 Moonrockets built by Lakin. As the cars spin at 12rpm they are twice as quick as other rides of that era, but the centre dome rotates the opposite direction giving the rider the impression of doing a great speed!
Designed with the 1930s interest in space as a theme these big, fast machines were the first rides capable of making riders hold on tight and getting white knuckles.
Designed with the 1930s interest in space as a theme these big, fast machines were the first rides capable of making riders hold on tight and getting white knuckles.
The Shaw's example was repainted in the 1960s and still carries this artwork. It is incredibly rare to find a complete ride with such original artwork and the work of Andrew Easton, the artist, is very hard to find.
It's also fully operational and on arrival at Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre in West Devon can go straight into use for the public!
The ride is of huge historical importance for tell the story of the leisure time of the UK.
Therefore we need to raise £110,000 in order to buy the ride from its current owners and prevent it being lost to the public, and possibly even exported. With this in mind we're offering gifts for the amount you donate.
It's important that once your donation has gone through you need to tick the box 'I am happy to be contacted by...'. This then allows us to be able to contact you and get your reward to you.
Give £25 or more
Moonrocket goodie bag (with Limited edition Moonrocket postcard, keyring, fridge magnet, and Maden's Moonrocket ride token), signed certificate, free entry for a day.
Moonrocket goodie bag (with Limited edition Moonrocket postcard, keyring, fridge magnet, and Maden's Moonrocket ride token), signed certificate, free entry for a day.
Place in draw to attend the opening party
Give £50 or more
Copy of the revised Moonrocket book, plus all of the above rewards
Give £100 or more
A limited edition Gicle print of the Moonrocket, plus all of the above rewards
A limited edition Gicle print of the Moonrocket, plus all of the above rewards
Give £250 or more
Have your name on the sponsors board for one of the 16 Rocket cars, acknowledging your help in enabling the Fairground Heritage Trust to purchase this important ride.
A USB stick with a selection of Moonrocket photos.
Free entry to the Fairground Heritage Centre for yourself and a guest
Also an invitation to the launch party, plus all of the above rewards
Give £500 or more
Have your name on the sponsors board as one of the main supporters of our Moonrocket appeal, plus a chance to have a behind the scenes tour with our staff, and operate some of the rides (under supervision).
Plus all of the above rewards
Have your name on the sponsors board for one of the 16 Rocket cars, acknowledging your help in enabling the Fairground Heritage Trust to purchase this important ride.
A USB stick with a selection of Moonrocket photos.
Free entry to the Fairground Heritage Centre for yourself and a guest
Also an invitation to the launch party, plus all of the above rewards
Give £500 or more
Have your name on the sponsors board as one of the main supporters of our Moonrocket appeal, plus a chance to have a behind the scenes tour with our staff, and operate some of the rides (under supervision).
Plus all of the above rewards
Give £1000 or more
Have your name on the sponsors board as one of the Patrons of our Moonrocket appeal,
Free lifetime entry to the the Fairground Heritage Centre for yourself and a guest.
Plus all of the above rewards