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Scooby Doo! Letters & emails
Write to: The Editor Regtransfers.co.uk 139 High Street South Dunstable Bedfordshire The best purchase I ever made was my S200 BEY personal number plate. It turns heads, and puts a smile on LU6 3SS people’s faces. Just received your new magazine within two days of placing order, and very impressed. or email: [email protected] JOHN CRAZE Gloucestershire
PLENTY OF TIME KEEPING PROMISES THANKS A MILLION Just to say a big thank you for dealing Your service has been excellent. I was Just thought I would let you know that with the transfer of H12 SJM. It was a particularly impressed by your efforts I have received my car tax and transfer present for my partner's birthday and to get my transfer of ENZ 9143 papers. I hope to put my new number the plates arrived in plenty of time and expedited. The delay was solely due to plate B4 EMH on my car this Tuesday. laxity on the part of the Ferrari dealer, the documents arrived a day later. He Thanks a million for all your help over the postal service and the Northern is very pleased! the past few months. Ireland Office. Many thanks again ELAINE HAYES JILL FARLOW Emma Jane Clark (RT Admin) has by email by email been excellent in keeping promises to ring me back and keeping me informed PS: I contacted another dealer at the of the progress of my application. same time as yourselves and I'm still Thank you very much. waiting for them to let me know if an S RAO FRCP, FRCPG SJM plate is available!!! Berkshire
WILL CARES HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE I just wish to pass on my thanks and Hey, thanks for the good service on appreciation to one of your both plates. I bought D4 WBE for me salespeople, Will. I have spoken to him and P14 YJO for my girlfriend. She is on a number of occasions over the a music teacher and would have no past week, and he has found hesitation in recommending you. R555 LOL for me. I had ordered a PAUL DAWBER number from another company over by email the internet which was a disaster because they did not confirm my purchase. FIRST CLASS I deal with people over the telephone I recently purchased H9 TBH from every day, and it was nice to speak to you. Just like to let you know, I found someone who was understanding and your service first class. From speaking willing to take the time to help. He was to your operator to receiving the IMPRESSED courteous, friendly and obviously cares documents I could not believe how fast Sorry for the delay in replying, but just about customer satisfaction. it was. Your staff were courteous, had to say how impressed I am in the service you supply. As you will see I hope you will note this and pass on efficient and totally professional in the way I was dealt with. from the photo I am the proud owner of my appreciation. L16 EML. Many thanks. I will have no LAWRENCE PARRY The plates are now fitted to my Jaguar hesitation in recommending your by email S-Type and they look fantastic. Once company to my friends. again thanks for everything. E M LENNOL TONY HEPPLE London by email
P6 The World of PersonalThe World Number of Personal Plates Regtransfers Number Plates.co.uk Vol 3, Issue 1 volume 3 issue 1.qxd 31/12/2004 11:53 Page 6 volume 3 issue 1.qxd 17/12/2004 15:43 Page 5
Winner!Prize Scooby Doo! Letters Canadian DDoouubbllee
year. He explains that the 'J' & emails stands for his surname, '15' is his house number, and 'CDN' represents his country of birth. Russell's success in our Personal Registration Prize Draw meant that Write to: he was able to chose J16 CDN as The Editor his prize, to enable him to have Regtransfers.co.uk consecutive number plates on his 139 High Street South pair of Rovers (pictured above). Dunstable Bedfordshire The best purchase I ever made was my S200 BEY “Now that I have two sets of personal number plate. It turns heads, and puts a smile on LU6 3SS personal plates, it looks like I will Earlier this year we asked a Russell informs us that our people’s faces. Just received your new magazine within two have no problem remembering days of placing order, and very impressed. or email: nationwide sample of our congratulatory email had arrived, [email protected] them in future,” Russell tells us. JOHN CRAZE Gloucestershire customers to give their personal coincidentally, on his birthday. rating of the level of satisfaction “The registration plate prize made No excuse now for losing your car they experienced from various a nice birthday present,” he added. in Tesco's car park, Russell! aspects of our customer service. PLENTY OF TIME KEEPING PROMISES THANKS A MILLION Russell, who hails from Canada, Just to say a big thank you for dealing Your service has been excellent. I was Just thought I would let you know that All contributors’ names were has lived in the UK for ten years with the transfer of H12 SJM. It was a particularly impressed by your efforts I have received my car tax and transfer entered in a Personal Registration and had never been able to present for my partner's birthday and to get my transfer of ENZ 9143 papers. I hope to put my new number prize draw and the lucky winner remember any of his previous the plates arrived in plenty of time and expedited. The delay was solely due to plate B4 EMH on my car this Tuesday. was Russell Jones from Deeside registrations until he decided to the documents arrived a day later. He laxity on the part of the Ferrari dealer, Thanks a million for all your help over who has chosen the registration buy J15 CDN from the postal service and the Northern is very pleased! the past few months. The maple leaf is shown for the Ireland Office. J16 CDN as his prize. Regtransfers.co.uk earlier this purposes of the article only. Many thanks again ELAINE HAYES JILL FARLOW Emma Jane Clark (RT Admin) has by email by email been excellent in keeping promises to quantities of oxygen and water. ring me back and keeping me informed Removing these will reduce PS: I contacted another dealer at the of the progress of my application. It’s a gas oxidation of both the rubber and same time as yourselves and I'm still Thank you very much. the wheel. Furthermore its molecular structure is less likely to waiting for them to let me know if an S RAO FRCP, FRCPG permeate rubber, so your tyres SJM plate is available!!! Berkshire stay inflated much longer. Dunstable's FastFit Station is one of the first in the country to provide WILL CARES HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE nitrogen inflation. For more I just wish to pass on my thanks and Hey, thanks for the good service on information and details of your appreciation to one of your both plates. I bought D4 WBE for me nearest nitrogen inflation service, salespeople, Will. I have spoken to him and P14 YJO for my girlfriend. She is call Uniflate on 01527 559561 or In our last issue we featured Mike on a number of occasions over the a music teacher and would have no visit: Allen of the Dunstable Fast Fit past week, and he has found hesitation in recommending you. Station who kindly performed the www.uniflate.com R555 LOL for me. I had ordered a PAUL DAWBER prize draw for us. number from another company over by email the internet which was a disaster Mike told us of a very interesting because they did not confirm my advance in tyre maintenance that purchase. the Fast Fit Station is pioneering - FIRST CLASS Uniflate Nitrogen. I deal with people over the telephone I recently purchased H9 TBH from Under inflated tyres increase tread every day, and it was nice to speak to you. Just like to let you know, I found wear, fuel costs and the risk of someone who was understanding and your service first class. From speaking IMPRESSED punctures and also have a willing to take the time to help. He was to your operator to receiving the significant effect on a cars FastFit Station courteous, friendly and obviously cares documents I could not believe how fast Sorry for the delay in replying, but just 162-170 High St South • Dunstable had to say how impressed I am in the performance. Bedfordshire LU6 3HS about customer satisfaction. it was. Your staff were courteous, Tel: 01582 476699 efficient and totally professional in the service you supply. As you will see In order to prolong tyre life you I hope you will note this and pass on should perform fortnightly checks way I was dealt with. from the photo I am the proud owner of my appreciation. L16 EML. Many thanks. I will have no and, of course, drive sensibly. What do YOU think? LAWRENCE PARRY The plates are now fitted to my Jaguar hesitation in recommending your However, there is now a more radical solution to the problem - Have you any comments or by email S-Type and they look fantastic. Once company to my friends. news on this or any similar again thanks for everything. fill your tyres with nitrogen! E M LENNOL motoring innovations? TONY HEPPLE London Compressed air contains about If so, please send an email to: by email 80% nitrogen anyway but the other [email protected] 20% includes potential harmful
P6 The World of Personal Number Plates Regtransfers.co.uk Vol 3, Issue 1 Vol 3, Issue 1 The WorldThe of WorldPersonal of Number Personal Plates Number Regtransfers Plates .co.uk P5 volume 3 issue 1.qxd 17/12/2004 16:00 Page 8
A word from the RNC by Rod Lomax Publicity Officer What to do next . . . Well, you’ve bought your cherished plate or so you’ve obviously Antiques Accessories? got an interest in them so why not take that So the ‘E’ prefix cherished plates “Are they good investments?” ask interest further by joining the were released at last by the DVLA the purchasers. Well, like anything Registration Numbers Club. - at 8.00am on 6 October 2004 to else bought merely as a money- be precise. ‘E’ prefix plates were maker the value of your We are a friendly club and first issued in 1987 with the DVLA investment can go down as well as welcome members from all withholding 1 to 20 and certain up. However, if you bought mainly walks of life whether your plate other numbers as usual since they because you liked it and will obtain has been a serious investment started selling registrations. Some some form of enjoyment from the costing thousands or simply a specific low numbers are not plate then what price can you put relatively inexpensive accessory available through the purchase on that? If it happens to go up for your vehicle. scheme and will, no doubt, come slightly in value if or indeed when We are the only UK based club up at future DVLA auctions - you decide to sell then that is catering for cherished number E11 EEN and E1 LEN are two really a pure bonus. enthusiasts and were originally such examples. Very old cherished plates are a founded in 1977. Subscribing members receive the quarterly different matter. Such numbers newsletter, RNC News, which is as Y1and L2are over 100 the original independent club years old and can change publication and features lots of hands for hundreds of useful information covering thousands of pounds. Numbers cherished plates along with any like MP 1 and MG 1 are over updates on legislation. 70 years old and change hands for similar amounts due We also hold an annual rally at to their obvious connections. various venues around the country which is always well These plates can almost be attended - an opportunity to chat considered to be in the with like minded people, and a same class as antique very pleasant day out too. furniture or paintings. They must surely be a good For information, or an investment when bought application form, simply visit: wisely and really can only www.registrationnumbersclub.org.uk go up in value - they just or contact one of the following: aren’t making any more Steve Waldenberg like them. However, as with most Honorary Organising Secretary D9 GAS is available very expensive items be they oil exclusively from Regtransfers at £795 paintings, very large properties or RNC Office even antique cherished numbers, PO Box MT12 Starting at £599 each, the ‘E’ the problem might just be finding Leeds LS17 7UD plates are a far cry from the first that one buyer when you do need Tel : 0113 226 7497 issues of ‘H’ and ‘J’ prefixes in the cash in a hurry. The moral is Fax: 0113 226 1110 1990 and 1991 which were priced surely only buy what you can Email: organisation@ at just £280, but I guess that’s readily afford. inflation for you. registrationnumbersclub.org.uk Rod Lomax Publicity Officer 5 Bank Top Baldingstone Bury, Lancs BL9 6RY Tel: 0161 764 8180 Fax: 0161 764 3800 Email: publicity@ registrationnumbersclub.org.uk John Harrison Archivist & Advisor 175 Hillyfields Loughton Essex IG10 2PW Tel: 020 8508 8851 (evenings/weekends only) V3 SEY is available exclusively Email: [email protected] from Regtransfers at £12,495
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Birthday Plates on Loan
odd Loan had only just had his 13th birthday, when his dad, Nick, saw V12 TOD for Tsale on the Regtransfers website. He knew instantly that it would make the perfect present for his delightedly. “Overall, a great put V16 MJL (Melissa Jay Loan) young son, whom he affectionately success!” In fact he has also on it either. describes as a 'petrol head'. worked out that the cost of To complete the family interest, His only dilemma was how he Todd's ownership of V12 TOD works out at “no more than 10 Nick's wife Julie, is also the proud could register the plates for a owner of her own personal number 13-year-old. The friendly staff at pence per week” for the duration of his driving life. plate, X5 JLO, which is currently Regtransfers.co.uk came up with on her BMW X5. Julie hasn't got a some alternatives. Nick's choice He is now on the look out for a middle name, hence the initials was to put the plates on his car replacement for the day when JLO (short for Julie Loan) on her and was pleased to see young Todd takes his plates and puts Todd's delighted reaction. “It is them on his first car. plate. But perhaps to be known as simply the best birthday present ‘J-Lo’ isn't such a bad thing ever”, said Todd. Todd's brother and sister are also anyway. into their own personal number plates. Brother Mitch is taking It's obvious that the Loan family 10 pence delivery of a VW Golf and will be are well and truly into personal Dad, Nick, wasn't too unhappy putting his V6 MWL (Mitchell Ward number plates and dad Nick about the number plates either. Loan) plates on it. Sister Melissa is concluded by saying: “Thanks to “It's given my four-year-old Jaguar taking delivery of a Mini about the Regtransfers for all the above a new lease of life”, he said same time and she can't wait to plates”.
Mad about plates? Do you have a story about number plates? If so, please send an email to: [email protected]
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Historic Dunstable Priory
Article and photgraph: Down Our Way Stan Thompson
Did you know that Henry VIII Successive Norman Kings found London, Winchester and Bath. visited Regtransfers’ hometown of its unique location at the junction Together with Prior Markham and Dunstable at least six times during of Watling Street and the various advisors they sat in the the period 1537 - 1543? prehistoric Icknield Way an ideal Priory's Lady Chapel for nearly He was on friendly terms with place to meet. two weeks, discussing not only the Gervase Markham, the last Prior They maintained a royal hunting legality of Henry VIII's first of Dunstable and because lodge and established an marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Dunstable had several large inns, Augustinian Priory. but also the advisability of he always stayed-over when standing out against the wishes of The Priory was founded by the Pope. travelling on the Holyhead Road Henry I and in 1131 he granted (A5). On Henry's last visit he the Priors authority to regulate Their decision that Henry's second stayed at the White Horse Inn markets which have been held marriage to Anne Boleyn was legal near to the crossroads in High continuously near the town’s set into motion the break with Street North. prehistoric crossroads ever since. Rome and the establishment of the Church of England. For centuries Dunstable has In 1533 Cranmer rode into welcomed visitors to its town. Dunstable to meet the Bishops of EN 12Y H £24995 UD 10R T £5995
HEN 12Y and TUD I0R are currently available exclusively from Regtransfers.co.uk at £24,995 and £5995 respectiveley
P 28 The World ofThe Personal World Number of Personal Plates NumberRegtransfers Plates .co.uk Vol 3, Issue 1 volume 3 issue 1.qxd 31/12/2004 12:43 Page 9 Namesake nthony Heyes was reading our magazine and thought we might like to see the Apicture of his car shown recently at RAF Shawbury with his personalised plate H6 YES. “I think the plate really sets the car off” says Anthony, “and I have an interesting story to go with it. “Some years ago I was travelling north on the M6 motorway heading towards junction 21a that leads off to Liverpool. I was plodding along H6 YES at the unheard of speed of 40mph - to this day I can't think why I was at that speed.” to enquire why I was driving at people who get stopped for going flashing blue lights such a slow speed. Having too slow on the motorway by a “However, as I majestically swept discussed this and pointed out that policeman with exactly the same off the M6 to join the M62 the minimum speed limit was name whilst in a car with the same westbound, I was woken out of my apparently 30mph. name, allbeit H6 YES on the number plate.” daydream by the usual flashing “He then announced that he liked blue lights and for a second or two the look of my number plate wasn’t sure if it was me they H6 YES and wished that he had it. Mad about plates? required to stop. The truth I replied that it would only be of dawning, I signalled and stopped use to anyone with the name Do you have a story about on the hard shoulder waiting for HEYES, to which he replied ‘that's number plates? the officer to approach. okay because my name is Heyes If so, please send an email to: “The officer in question asked me . . . Tony Heyes’, and sure enough [email protected] to leave the vehicle and step to he produced his warrant card. their Range Rover. He proceeded “I bet there are not too many
Eee, By Gum, What a Pair!
enaud Spencer has two superb plates available on Rretention certificates. “I’ve been actively looking to sell them both as a pair, perhaps to a Northerner with more cash than sense (yes, there are a few!)” says Renauld. “I have been looking for £20,000 for the pair. But though I got a lot of interest, mainly from Yorkshire Life magazine, as yet, no firm bites. “Your salesman, Mr Tuck, pointed out that they might sell more easily with a photo in your magazine.” B7 E CK B7 G UM
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The World of Personal Number Plates volume 3 issue 1.qxd 17/12/2004 16:25 Page 17 Linda Lusardi’s very special birthday present decide because it was going to Interview: Angela Banh, Rick Cadger auction the next day.” Sadly, Linda “When you just run out of Photography: Stan Thompson couldn't talk her husband at the time into agreeing to the purchase, gift ideas for people it's Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane are one of the UK's best-known so the registration was sold at nice if you can find celebrity couples. They must also auction. “Every time I think about something like this.” be amongst the busiest. As is that I kick myself that I didn't buy often the case, each of them is it!” probably best known for a Although that one might have got “I have V24 SAM and K5 KNE. particular moment in their working away, Linda is delighted with The KNE one was a bargain. I don't know if I'll get any more, lives - even though both careers LU54 RDY. Sam decided some have moved onwards and time ago that it would be a great but I think they're really nice to upwards since their respective birthday present, and he arranged have,” he says. moments of initial fame. For Linda for Regtransfers to secure the Linda adds: “And I think when you that point was a spectacularly registration on his behalf as soon just run out of gift ideas for people successful career as one of the as it became available. it's nice if you can find something country's top models, while for like this.” Sam it was a role in a popular make up your own television soap opera. “Actually,” says Sam. “I've just “It was something I thought about organised one for my brother as These days, in addition to frequent when they first started issuing the well. He's a mad Evertonian, so television appearances, Linda is new number plates,” he says. I've got S222 EFC for him. You kept busy promoting her own “When was that? 2000 wasn't it, might know that Everton's theme range of beauty products, and when the ‘00’ ones first came out? tune is the music from Z Cars, so Sam has only recently found time Well, I was just looking for new to him the 2s will be Zs. He's to take a break from the stage registration numbers on the chuffed to bits… In fact, he's work that has kept him busy since website and I saw that thing that putting them on his car today.” his last TV role. Any rest, however, lets you make up your own will necessarily be brief as the number plate and see if it's The mention of Everton strikes a couple have to prepare for the available. I had hours of fun mischievous chord with hectic pantomime season, which playing with that! Regtransfers' photographer, who will keep them fully occupied at just can't resist asking a question the end of the year. “I worked out that when the ‘54’ that has obviously occurred to registrations came out, by seeing Sam and Linda before. When Sam Regtransfers visited Sam and the numbers as letters, LU54 RDY is in Carousel how does he Linda at their home in would work. The only variation is reconcile singing 'You'll Never Hertfordshire to deliver the the last letter, which is a ‘Y’. Walk Alone' with his Evertonian personalised number plates that Linda's name actually ends in ‘I’, loyalties? Sam had bought Linda for her but they don't issue that letter on birthday in September. What we registration plates.” “Well, the good thing is I never expected to be a short visit turned have to sing it, I'm dead. Billy out to be a very enjoyable day that Although the idea for Linda's gift Bigalo is the lead character in kept our interviewer and had occurred to him two years Carousel and he's dead by the photographer so ‘busy’ that they earlier, Sam didn't forget and when time that's sung.” the release date for ‘54’ didn't make it back to the office at Linda points out: “Although you do all that afternoon… registrations drew nearer, he contacted a friend who put him in have to lie on stage dead, listening to it every night!” LU54 RDY is Linda's first personal touch with Regtransfers. When RT car registration, although several called Sam a few months later to “Yeah, I do have to listen to it,” years ago at a photo shoot she say that the number had been Sam admits. “But I wear my was offered a chance to buy secured on his behalf he was Everton shorts under my trousers L1 NDA. delighted. while I'm onstage.” “Oh it was perfect, absolutely “I can't thank you guys enough. For the moment Sam is resting perfect,” she says. “They said I I'm thrilled to bits.” from his stage work, but at could buy it if I wanted to before Christmas he and Linda are they sold it at an auction. Ah, but Sam has a couple of personal registrations too. appearing in pantomime in they only gave me one evening to Woking. “We direct as well,” he
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K5 KNE S A M
says. “So it's a really big gig for us butterfly this time. Flying rigs are “That's right,” Sam agrees. “Two this year.” really massive in theatres, and a shows every day, it is a busy With all this theatrical commitment, massive cost too. Then there are schedule, it's exhausting.” Sam must love acting and singing. all sorts of magical illusions that All the more exhausting because come in for the transformation they have an hour's journey home “It's a ruthless business, it really is. from me to the hag. It's full of so many people who at the end of each day. want to get in your place, overtake “Then there's the mirror! I did “Well we have to,” says Linda. you. I think it's really important just Snow White for seven years as “Because the kids are at school.” to keep your feet on the floor, and Snow White, and then I've played just to treat it as a job - which is the wicked queen for five years. The logistics may be a challenge, what it is, you know. It's a very In that time there's been so many but Linda and Sam are veterans, nice job, it's got lots of trappings, different mirrors! We've tried every having done seven or eight pantos and how many jobs can you do effect: television screens; boxes together. Working together that you wanted to do all your life? on stands with people inside and provides a welcome opportunity But at the end of the day it's still a lights shining on them; people for them to see more of each job and it puts the bread on the pushing their face through gauze. other. The nature of both careers table. Sometimes things have gone has meant more time apart than terribly wrong. For example, when they would like. “But don't get me wrong: we love we've had voices on tape, you it. It's something I've always asked it a question and it didn't Brookside wanted to do; and Linda's been answer or the wrong answer acting now for seventeen years… “Sam was in Brookside for three came! Oh, but the magic mirror years. He lived in Liverpool until which is a lot longer than I've been this time is just… Well you know doing it, so she's got more he met me and moved to London. the mirror in Shrek? The way it's Then he got the Brookside job experience than me, but you know kind of holographic. We've got I've just had a few lucky breaks.” which was back in Liverpool, and exactly the same kind of effect. he had to commute from London One of those breaks seems to It talks and the mouth moves and for the three years.” have been the demand for Sam's everything.” man's-man aura. And where did they meet? It's a busy time for the couple, “I think there's a shortage of but surely they get plenty of time “In a panto, of course! I was Snow leading men who look like leading to prepare for such a complex White and Sam was the Prince.” men, you know?” he says. “Blokes production? Linda has done her share of acting who look like blokes on stage. “No, we only have 10 days outside of pantomime too. Her first But I think it’s just important now, role was in the stage play Funny I think it’s going back to the way it rehearsal,” says Linda. “And it really is a busy schedule. We Peculiar which gave her a taste for used to be where men looked like acting. men and acted like men. When usually get Christmas Day and you're up there doing your role New Year's Day off, but I think “I also did Pygmalion with Philip and performing your piece, you've we're working Boxing Day.” Madoc. Philip played Higgins and I got to look like the part you're playing.” pantomime The next project for both of them is the pantomime of Snow White in December. “If it weren't for pantomimes, theatres would close,” Sam says. “They give the theatres six or seven weeks, guaranteed full bookings.” So what kind of production will Snow White be? “Oh it's fantastic,” Linda smiles. “None of your cardboard cut-out horses in this one. It's certainly not your old amateur dramatics type thing. This is a big, lavish, West End style production.” Sam nods. “It’s beautiful to look at. It's beautifully lit and the sound is fantastic. Linda plays the wicked queen, she's just sensational.” “And the effects are great,” says Linda. “We have a big flying
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was Eliza.” Linda hesitates for a they work through the two weeks on and said the line, then she said moment. “I'm not sure I should of rehearsal. her next line - and then Philip ran really tell this…” over again and said 'What's my “Anyway, we opened, and I was next line?'. I told him what I “But Philip already told it on your sure that the press were coming thought it was, and he said, 'That's This is Your Life,” says Sam. along to rip me to pieces as it was not right. That's not this play. Get the first time I'd done any serious “Oh, yes. I suppose that's all right my script'. So I ran to the dressing acting. Well, in the second half then. room and got his script, and when there's a scene after Eliza has run I got back he was standing at the “Well, Philip had just come from away from the ball. Higgins goes to side of the stage. The lady playing doing some really heavy his mother to tell her that Eliza his mother was sitting at the writing Shakespearean play, and at the bolted, and she tells him that she's desk on the stage waiting and the first day of rehearsal for Pygmalion not surprised considering how he director was calling to her, asking if he knew every single line. I was spoke to Eliza. she was all right, and she was worried, and I said to the director, saying, 'I'm perfectly all right, just 'But I don't know it yet'. He told me waiting in the wings carry on'. Well, I gave Philip his that was all right, and that I “Well, I was waiting in the wings script and then he was going, 'My shouldn't know it because he watching, even though I wasn't due glasses, my glasses!'“ Linda wanted to work through it with me. back on for a few minutes. laughs. “I went and got his He told me not to worry, but I sat at Anyway, when Philip said that Eliza glasses, and for a while it was as if home really concerned that Philip had bolted, his mother delivered he'd never seen the play before in knew it and I didn't. the line about not being surprised his life. He read the rest of the play “I found out later that most people and then he just stood there. He from the script with his glasses on. don't know their full part at the first saw me and rushed over to the “My next scene was a big dialogue day of rehearsal. They have an wing saying, 'What's my next that goes on for twenty minutes idea of it, but they mostly learn as line?', so I told him. He went back and at the end of it he ends up
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pampered and looked after all the way through with sports massages!” The massages were certainly needed, as the show made serious physical demands on the participants. “At first, you know, I was just walking wounded. I could barely get out of bed to get to the car; but a couple of weeks later you kind of get through that. Your muscles are just so much stronger. By the end of it I was a completely different person. It was fantastic and I didn't realise that at my age you could improve your body as much as I did. For example, the first time I tried to do the 100 metres, I struggled to finish and I thought I was going to have a heart attack at the end of it. But later on I had a photo finish with Isabella Harvey, who is 22 and runs 6 miles a day. That's how much I improved!” Since The Games Linda has been going for my throat. Not at all like tears running from his eyes and busy with another project. My Fair Lady, it's much heavier, I thought, Oh… it is me! Then I “I've launched my own skincare and the funny thing was that Philip just burst into tears, thinking it range, so I've been doing Ideal did the whole scene with the script doesn't happen to people like me. World on television, which is sort in his hand. I was so new to the Then I thought that I hoped they of like QVC. I've been doing that business that I just had to keep hadn't got the kids out of bed, once a month.” telling myself to pretend I was still because Jack was only a baby and in the rehearsal room, and just it was about ten o'clock by then.” There are seven products in the carry on. range which is called Linda Both have had work commitments Lusardi's L7. The cleansers, anti- “I got wonderful reviews and they that have taken them away from wrinkle creams and skin firming just slated poor Philip for home: Sam's long run with musical tonics in the range are made from stumbling over the lines. It had theatre and Linda's appearance on natural ingredients, the most never happened to him before, Channel 4's The Games. exotic of which is probably the and fortunately it's never The Games was a big hit with the alpine edelweiss that provides the happened since.” children, who were avid viewers. common element running through Sam recalls Philip's contribution to the range. “Yes, they did watch it. One of the Linda's This is Your Life. “They stipulations that I had was that I were telling me what incidents had Edelweiss would be able to phone home at happened, and I thought that least once a day… I wasn't going to “Edelweiss lives up in the Alps, Philip would never turn up in a do it otherwise. I used to phone and because of the strong sunlight million years, but he was fantastic. home about 8' o clock in the at altitude it's had to create its own He went on last - top of the bill at morning and the kids would say: sort of sun screen,” says Linda. the end of the show - and he told 'Oh mummy you tried really hard!' “The scientists in Switzerland have that story. I thought it was and I'd say I was sorry I didn't win. found that extracts from the wonderful.” They always said: 'Oh it doesn't edelweiss can actually repair skin matter - at least you tried'. So they cells that have been damaged by This is your life loved it. I think it was half term the sun.” “It was the Christmas This is Your week actually, so they sat down At the moment the Lusardi L7 Life,” says Linda. “They surprised and watched it every night. They products are only available from me on stage where I was playing had their popcorn ready to cheer on the http://www.l7-studio.com/ the wicked queen. They kept the Mummy.” website, and from Ideal World on audience and everything. Lionel the days when Linda appears. The Blair was talking to the audience, So had Linda been enthusiastic about the offer to join The Games? main reason for keeping as he always did, and then he said distribution controlled at the that we had a special guest. That “Actually, no. I kind of wondered moment is that Linda doesn't want was when Michael Aspel came on. who else was in it. And they all to generate more demand than I knew it was somebody's This is turned out to be so much younger they can currently supply. Judging Your Life. I looked at Lionel and than me… But then Sam told me by the interest already evident, thought it couldn't be him because not to be ridiculous. He said I supplying major retail outlets at he'd just introduced Michael… and couldn't pass up a chance to train this stage would be quite a he was looking at me! Sam had with Colin Jackson and be challenge. The vital edelweiss is
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LU54LINDA RDY
an endangered plant, so it has to When they built this house they in. Unfortunately they didn't solder be farmed specially. As Linda cut a lot of the trees down, and the the pipes before they filled in the points out, now interest is trees take the moisture out of the floor! This was about 3 years ago, established they can increase the soil. Without the trees the earth then about a year ago we started scale of the farming. It is obvious swells up where the moisture is to get patches of water coming up that Linda is taking the project not being taken. Anyway, they built through the carpet.” forward one step at a time the house and they didn't build it according to a well-formulated properly: they didn't put the right All this meant that they had to plan, and that plan includes protection round the piles. I think move out for another two weeks expansion. the house was about six years old while further repairs were done to when we bought it, and about half of the house. enthusiasm three years after we moved in we Linda continues. “Then about a Her enthusiasm is obvious. “The started noticing some cracks. We month after that it started to smell properties are unbelievable. It got the insurance company round under the stairs, so it’s obviously really is fantastic. I've been using it and they said that because the running from that half of the house for a year and I've seen a big crack was wider at the top than it now, so the kitchen's got to come improvement in the lines around was at the bottom it meant the out. We've had nothing but my eyes. We were looking at house was being pushed up by nightmares since we've moved in.” photographs I had taken about the pressure under the earth… It Sam laughs at this. “But we do 12 months ago and, compared to was pushing the house up and love it here. That's why we're still how my skin is now, I looked old!” cracking it in half. here!” “Anyway, I had to move out for a Home for Linda and Sam is in the year. Sam was away and I had a “I love it,” says Linda. “We're not Hertfordshire village where they brand new baby. I had to move overlooked and we have great have lived for about eight years. away, they were in here a year neighbours. This is our bit of “It's not been all plain sailing,” and they had to dig all underneath. peace and quiet.” says Linda. “When we moved in They had everything out: kitchen Our reporting team concur with I was just about to give birth to out, bathrooms out, everything out. Linda’s sentiment and are Lucy, who's 7 now. The whole house was gutted.” reluctant to leave the tranquility of Drastic though all that sounds, it the couple’s delightful home. still hasn't completely solved the house's problems “They sunk new piles down a long way,” says Linda. “A bomb could go off now and it wouldn't move, but when they did the Details of the Lusardi L7 range concrete floors they put metal can be found at: trunking in for the pipes to go http://www.L7-studio.com
The World of Personal Number Plates volume 3 issue 1.qxd 31/12/2004 13:36 Page 57 , Readers Gallery Send your photos to: [email protected]
NIGEL ROSENDALE by email
ROB EVANS Canvey Island, Essex
STEPHEN SHAW by email
M PEVY Bucks RON EVANS Worthing, Sussex
Vol 3, Issue 1 The WorldThe Worldof Personal of Personal Number PlatesNumber Regtransfers Plates .co.uk P 57 volume 3 issue 1.qxd 31/12/2004 13:11 Page 29 Sharp Shooter Andy Sharples, from Wolverhampton, purchased his first private plate, B9 NDY, nine years ago. After using the plate for two years Regtransfers sold it for me for a nice little profit. At that time his ‘Dream-Plate’, S114 RPS (his nick-name is SHARPS) had not been registered as the “S” plates had not been released. Over the last few years he has He considered buying A511 ARP, my girlfriend Claire Morgans,” said searched for S114 RPS many which was available from Andy, and concluded by adding, times wondering if it was available Regtransfers.co.uk and more “Regtransfers have definitely given to purchase. To his surprise, a year affordably priced, but was not the us our ‘dream plates’”. ago, he found it on the plate he really wanted, so he held back on any purchase. Regtransfers.co.uk website and in Mad about plates? their monthly magazine. Do you have a story about Recruitment number plates? If so, please send an email to: At that time he hadn’t long started [email protected] up his own recruitment agency in Birmingham, Driven Recruitment Ltd but the price of the registration mark was definitely ‘a dream’ as all his money was tied up in the business.
Over the following months business picked up and he put a few offers in for S114 RPS. The deal was finally concluded a few months later. “As I am in my third successful year of trading, and Regtransfers Specialists in the supply of Temporary & Permanent Staffing Solutions gave me such a quality, friendly Suite 206, Keys Court, 82-84 Moseley St service, I purchased the Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0RT Tel 0121-622-5455 Fax 0121-622-2422 registration mark C141 REM for Email: [email protected]
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Noel Woodall The Father of Autonumerology
Interview and colour photgraphs: Len Stout
RAF’s Air Mail magazine asking fellow members for information about mayoral and distinctive number plates. It worked and he received so much information that he decided to compile and publish it in a small book entitled Car Number Galaxy - Celebrities. It cost him £250, which was 6 months’ wages to Noel in those days. homework It contained a fascinating list of registrations, the cars they were on, and who owned them at the time. Noel did his homework and included in the book’s forward a brief history of car registrations from 1903 on, plus a whole page oel Woodall coined the world-famous seaside resort one on the history of A 1. The book phrase Autonumerology in evening, when he saw a car with also contained an index of N1964 to put a name to his the registration BB 4. It captured registration letters and where the new found interest in car Noel’s imagination and he cars bearing them were first registrations, thus making him the immediately thought, “That’s an registered in the UK. The MP, world’s first Autonumerologist. In interesting number plate, I wonder Gerald Nabarro was featured the 40 years since, he has who owns the car?” He started heavily in this first issue as he remained fascinated by personal asking around and his tenacity owned NAB 1 through to NAB 5 number plates and probably knows paid off when he discovered that a (he eventually owned NAB 6 more about them than anyone local bookmaker owned it. This through to 10 as well). Other well- else. And on meeting him it is was to be the beginning of Noel’s known registrations and their obvious that he also accumulated fascination with personal number celebrity owners featured were, a myriad of amusing stories to plates. Interestingly, BB 4 Arthur Askey (AA 10), Norman illustrate the subject. eventually came into the Wisdom (NW 4), George Formby Noel was born (and named possession of Regtransfers but, as (GF 1 and GF 2) and accordingly) on Christmas Day, with most quality registrations, was Harry Secombe (HS 92). A great 1930 in Oldhill, Staffordshire. His soon sold to a new proud owner many of the ‘number one’ father was a photo-framer and his from Kidderminster in 2004. registrations listed were on mother dealt in Art Deco objects Noel went to the local library to mayoral cars owned by local and mirrors amongst other things. see if there were any books on the councils, eg: BK 1 (Portsmouth), Noel recalls: “Our house was more subject but found to his dismay FV 1 (Blackpool) and TR 1 like a shop in those days, perhaps that there were none. Undeterred, (Southampton). that’s why, from the age of seven, he decided to put an advert in the Noel followed this with other small I became involved in buying and selling.” At the age of 17, Noel volunteered to join the RAF as an Air Crew Navigator and completed three years of happy service. When he left the RAF he worked for an early radio and TV retailers before forming his own company, Electraders, who specialised in erecting aerials. He continued running the business until his move to Blackpool in 1961 where he worked for Currys, a company that is still around today. Noel’s interest in number plates began in 1962, not long after moving to Blackpool. He was driving back to his home in the It ‘turned out nice again’ for George Formby with GF 1 & GF 2
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books on his own and when asked for his opinion of the Regtransfers book, Fanatical about Number Plates, he replied, “It’s fantastic, beautiful and it must be carried on”. Thanks for that, Noel. We will do our best.
“The Book of the Century” Fanatical about Number Plates Noel and his ‘playmate’ Arthur Askey with AA 10 The definitive guide to The World of Personal Noel followed this with other small “These single-letter, single-digit Number Plates. books entitled Veterans, ‘More plates are what I consider to be Now just £14.99 Celebrities’ and the now very rare the best”, he exclaimed. His first plus £3.75 p&p Cartoons edition illustrated by his ever sale was CDM 1 (denoting Buy online at good friend, Mr Fred Fawbert. Cadburys Dairy Milk) and was for www.regtransfers.co.uk All these books were printed by an undisclosed sum. One strange or call Angela on: 01582 606129 Weaver & Youles Ltd, of St Annes- fact that came to light whilst talking on-Sea, and the proceeds going to to Noel was that he admitted that The Trueloves School for Seriously he “never actually did a number Crippled Boys’ in Essex. Since plate transfer himself”, he just then he has compiled a total of 24 arranged it and took a commission. What do YOU know? books on the subject of number Mind you, he has owned a few plates, several of which were over the years, the most fitting Do you know of any famous edited by his friend and colleague being XMA 5, the day he was celebrity plates? Brian Heaton. The most recent born, which he eventually sold for If so, please send an email to: was published in 2000, entitled £4,000. [email protected] Car Numbers, and was the 11th edition to bear that name, the first Looking to the future, Noel doesn’t being issued in 1969. think he will compile any more backgammon In 1962 many newspaper articles Noel Woodall welcomes Regtransfers’ MD, Tony Brown to Blackpool were written about number plates as a result of Noel’s books, the first recorded was Seeking Their Status by Car Numbers, by Rex North of the Daily Mirror on Friday, March 16th of that year. Noel’s fame and expertise were even employed by the MP, Gerald Nabarro for a while in the 1970s, who wanted him to arrange the transfer of car registrations. He eventually went back to buying and selling and opened his own shop offering high quality chess, mahjong and backgammon sets. He finally gave it up to become secretary of the Hotel and Apartments Social Club in Blackpool. Noel is still there to this day and seems to be thoroughly enjoying it. The club is very successful, which isn’t surprising as it is one of the few clubs in Blackpool that don’t charge extra on celebrity cabaret nights – Tom O’Connor and Peter Kay being two recent acts. Noel’s first purchase was of W3.
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RT Team Spotlight Ian Clayton, IT Manager This is the second in a series of articles that we hope will enable our readers to get to know Regtransfers.co.uk a little better. We will feature a different member of our team each time and gradually you'll become able to put faces to the voices you hear when you call us. Many of our managers and sales advisors have been with us for more years than they care to admit. They are generally a modest and retiring group of people (they asked us to say), but after much persuasion they have agreed to appear here. In this issue, IT Manager Ian Clayton courageously fielded the probing questions of our investigative interviewer, Angela Banh.
First of all, what does ‘IT’ stand for? Information Technology. That is, the systems we use to manipulate the vast amount of data we hold on our computers. How long have you been at Regtransfers? Six years. What constitutes a typical day for you? That's a difficult one! There tends to be a different project every day. Essentially, my responsibility is to ensure all our systems continue to run smoothly. We are constantly looking at ways in which we can improve our efficiency. How have things changed since you have been here? Enormously. When I started I was the IT department! Now I have five full-time staff. The company used a tiny database - an old DOS recovery systems are in place and own it. We use some of our stock system called 'Cardbox'. This has that customer confidentiality numbers to draw attention to our now been replaced by a massive remains secure. business and advertise what we state-of-the-art system specially do. So it’s actually for sale, How would you describe designed in-house to cope although I rather hope no-one Regtransfers as a place to work. efficiently with the vast scale of our buys it! customer-serving tasks. Wonderful! It is a challenging and demanding role but very Tell me about your team rewarding. members. Do you own a personal number We have a Database plate yourself? Administrator, a System Support Engineer, both Senior and Junior Well, I currently have the number Systems Developers and a Web 1 CC on my company Smart car. Designer. It represents my full initials. (No, I'm not going to tell you my What is your role as middle name. Oh, OK then, I IT manager? suppose it’s not too embarrassing. I need to make sure everyone It’s Christopher.) does what they are supposed to. I’ll have to come clean, however, Also to ensure back-up and 1 CC is available exclusively from and tell you that I don’t actually Regtransfers.co.uk at £150,000
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Mind How You Go The A recent newspaper article displayed in strict accordance with highlighted the extraordinary case the regulations. Fixing screws of a 57-year-old West Yorkshire must be unobtrusive and the kits finishing grandmother who, after a available provide a comprehensive 20-minute inquisition, was given a set of screws for this purpose i.e. £30 fixed penalty notice and white for front plates, yellow for touch ordered to provide a thumbprint. rear and black, to be used only if Her crime? An incorrectly coloured existing holes force the screw to As the proud owner of a personal screw securing her number plate, actually penetrate one of the number plate from making an ‘11’ look like an ‘H’. characters. Regtransfers.co.uk, you will want to display your new registration to (Offence Code 309: ‘Registration it’s fullest advantage on not conforming’) Please note: Acrylic plates can your vehicle. Whether or not this was a only be purchased with the We can supply you with TOP deliberate if somewhat crude corresponding registration at the QUALITY acrylic plates and fixing point of sale. kits for any vehicle (including attempt at ‘personalisation’, and caravans and trailers). Plates are putting aside the unnecessary and available in a choice of CUSTOM meaningless fingerprint The best examples of cherished styles which can include borders ‘identification’ - as the woman had plates are those coveted either for and national emblems. given no previous example with their classic simplicity (V 1, J 9 Prices start from just £26 a set which to compare - we are left with etc.) or the fact that they display (including postage and packing) a staggering instance of over- what they say, whether it’s a name and your plates will be delivered zealousness that further damages (CEC 1L), a word (GRA 5S) or a direct to your door within 48 hours. the already over-stretched cheeky phrase (WH05 BAD). relationship between the motorist Any registration that has to be Please note: Acrylic plates can be purchased only with the and the authorities. ‘adjusted’ in order to ‘make it work’ corresponding registration. A spokesman was quoted as is deemed illegal in the eyes of the saying that Automated Number law and consequently less Plate Recognition was “one of the valuable. ways we can track criminals”. By paying attention to these simple This may have been the intention measures, you can prevent but the new recommended font for situations such as this arising and acrylic plates (Charles Wright) is spoiling the enjoyment of your extremely difficult to read with the personalised number plate from naked eye. The condensed nature Regtransfers.co.uk. of many of the characters makes it Mind how you go. almost impossible to differentiate between M’s and N’s or W's and Byron Marks V's. Witnesses of a crime involving a car with a ‘difficult to read’ registration could end up hampering police enquiries. What lessons can be learned from this? Clearly your number plate must be correctly spaced and here at Regtransfers.co.uk we take great care to abide by the rules in our listings and illustrations. Ordering a set of plates from us will ensure that your registration is
What do YOU think? Have you any comments or news on this or any similar motoring topics? Call If so, please send an email to: [email protected] 01582 477333 24 hours 7 days
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