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Nice try The Thompson Prize I first became interested in number plates when I saw the plate EEE 333 on a Ford Cortina outside a cafe on the A1 near Peterborough. I then enquired of the Department of Transport if MDT 1 (my perfect personal plate) was available to purchase. I was politely put in my place when they replied that the plate belonged to the Mayor of In each issue, our Doncaster, who was unlikely to sell it. resident photographer Nice try! Stan Thompson, nominates his favourite My car is a Toyota Prius Hybrid model T4, picture from the hundreds submitted by our readers. hence the ‘HYB’ plate. I would, of course, This time round, the preferred the ‘T4 version, but that winner is Virad Patel’s photo here. Virad particular registration was not available. receives a copy of our fantastic book, Fanatical The plate has been admired quite a lot, About Number Plates. particularly by both staff and customers at my local dealer, Yeomans Toyota. Melvyn Trigg Worthing

category at the Haynes International Motor mail Join the club Museum, Somerset in June 2011. I purchased LAD 1E in October 2009. It The RNC is a great club to be in. I have had been in the previous owner’s have read an article on number plates and The plate currently sits on my mum’s made many new friends and learned a lot The best gift possession for over 40 years. The number seen that, not only are they a great gift, but A-Class, which I drive. When passing the about registration numbers. My dad, Raj, gave me this number plate receives a great deal of attention wherever they also present a different kind of plate on to me, my dad requested that as a joint birthday and Christmas present it’s seen. Darren Moore investment opportunity. And the right I work hard and achieve my dreams and. and there were a few reasons why he plates always seem to go up in value. Coventry chose it. Firstly, he was given the number hopefully, in the future I can have a super I joined the Registration Numbers Club He was going to put the money into plate RAJ 55R, by his own father when he car to put this amazing plate on. (RNC) in 2010 and LAD 1E came first in its See the regular RNC feature on page 48. shares for me, but this seemed like a first passed his test. He has had it on all of This is the best gift I have ever received his cars for more than 25 years now and much better investment, however it is one and I strongly advise anyone who finds the loves the attention it gets. that I am unlikely to ever cash in. plate they want, to go ahead and get it Secondly, I am studying economics and Ever since I have had the plate, my friends while it is available. my father is always telling me about new have been spotting me and saying how markets and forms of investment. He must amazing and perfect it is for me. Virad Patel

What’s the story? Send YOUR photos to [email protected]

Park and ride N11 FCY currently resides on my motorcycle, but here is an earlier picture when the registration was on my Mercedes parked outside St. James Park, Newcastle. Dave Young

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Since this photo featuring my grandson, I bought this because my first name is Matthew, was taken, I changed the BMW Geoff and it’s nice to have a little pose for a Ford Galaxy but retained my G8 EAF now and then. plate. Geoff Gomersall category at the Haynes International Motor mail Join the club Museum, Somerset in June 2011. I purchased LAD 1E in October 2009. It The RNC is a great club to be in. I have had been in the previous owner’s have read an article on number plates and The plate currently sits on my mum’s made many new friends and learned a lot The best gift possession for over 40 years. The number seen that, not only are they a great gift, but A-Class, which I drive. When passing the about registration numbers. My dad, Raj, gave me this number plate receives a great deal of attention wherever they also present a different kind of plate on to me, my dad requested that as a joint birthday and Christmas present it’s seen. Darren Moore investment opportunity. And the right I work hard and achieve my dreams and. and there were a few reasons why he plates always seem to go up in value. Coventry chose it. Firstly, he was given the number hopefully, in the future I can have a super I joined the Registration Numbers Club He was going to put the money into plate RAJ 55R, by his own father when he car to put this amazing plate on. (RNC) in 2010 and LAD 1E came first in its See the regular RNC feature on page 48. shares for me, but this seemed like a first passed his test. He has had it on all of This is the best gift I have ever received his cars for more than 25 years now and much better investment, however it is one and I strongly advise anyone who finds the loves the attention it gets. that I am unlikely to ever cash in. plate they want, to go ahead and get it Secondly, I am studying economics and Ever since I have had the plate, my friends while it is available. my father is always telling me about new have been spotting me and saying how markets and forms of investment. He must amazing and perfect it is for me. Virad Patel

What’s the story? Send YOUR photos to [email protected]

Park and ride N11 FCY currently resides on my motorcycle, but here is an earlier picture when the registration was on my Mercedes parked outside St. James Park, Newcastle. Dave Young

6 The World of Personal Number Plates Issue 28 28_STACEY_SOLOMON_C1.qxd 08/11/2011 10:07 Page 36 28_STACEY_SOLOMON_C1.qxd 08/11/2011 09:51 Page 15

RT Team Spotlight Solomon

The X-Factor is an epitome of the reality television phenomenon. Even more than Big Brother or I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! it polarises opinion into two main groups, those who hate it and those who are addicted to it. The latter group seems to contain a further bifurcation: those who watch it for the talent, and those who watch it to smirk or wince at the unfortunate eccentrics and characters that the format so mercilessly exploits. Very occasionally, a contestant arrives who manages to appeal to both camps. Stacey Solomon is a character. When she first appeared on the show it was plain to see that a metaphorical train wreck was widely expected by the judges, and probably by most viewers. Stacey did not present a cool, professional, composed, Louise Barbour Steve Tyrrell Barbara Lowery Carl Kelly Adam Agar Isabelle Coleman Derek Daly facade. What we saw was an eager, Photo: Stan Thompson Not pictured: Greg George, Arun Johal and George Zafirakis nervous, modest, star-struck Essex girl to whom the concepts of self-censorship and fakery seemed completely alien. If a hrough this series of articles, we With 60 full-time advisors, Regtransfers can eager to help you find your perfect number thought popped into Stacey’s mind it hope to enable our readers to get to boast the most comprehensive sales plate, but also who know the market and popped out of her mouth a second later. know Regtransfers a little better. service in the industry. know number plates. T As the judges pronounced their verdict In each issue, we feature different But it’s quality as well as quantity that In this issue, we feature Sales Manager, following her audition performance of members of our team and, gradually, you’ll counts and all sales enquiries are handled Carl Kelly and his team. ‘What a Wonderful World’, Stacey just become able to put names to faces. efficiently by people who are not only couldn’t help interrupting to tell Louis Walsh: “I can’t believe you’re saying my name!” She was instantly likeable and it would have been terribly sad to see her fail. Delighted Fortunately for all concerned, the engaging personality was accompanied by a great voice and Stacey sailed through the first their hands and, occasionally, a little more stage with the approval of all four judges. spare cash. “I’d auditioned a couple of times before Colin had been casually looking for a that one,” says Stacey. “Usually it was just personal number plate for most of his a day out for me and my mum. Go up adult life. Specifically he wanted a CCF there, sing, go home because I didn’t get through. But then that time I did get registration to match his initials, but for through and it was really, really weird. We years he felt that he couldn’t justify the kept just looking at each other, trying not expenditure as the CCF numbers he had to get too excited, because you never seen were a little expensive. know when it’s going to end. Previously Colin owned 160 CPU, which “It was amazing. It was such an experience; one of those things where you he kept for 30 years, but he parted with can’t believe it. I still live in the same place, that number in order to help raise the with all the same friends. Everything is funds for CCF 100. exactly the same, so when we’re all sitting there reading a magazine about someone Colin’s transaction was handled by and they’re like, ‘You met her, didn’t you?’, Regtransfers sales adviser Alfie Moon, and I think, Oh God, yes! I met her! It’s so for whom Colin has kind words of praise. weird to think that I did all that. It’s just mad.” “I consider CCF 100 a good investment in the present economic climate,” Colin says. Series 6 of The X-Factor was eventually won by Joe McElderry from Tyne and “I’m delighted with the new plate, and I Wear, with second place going to Stacey’s Colin Fraser is the used car preparation his fifties, Colin’s children have grown up was equally delighted with Alfie’s fellow Essex native, Olly Murs. Stacey and display manager at a Toyota car and left home, a situation that leaves him professionalism and good service.” remained popular throughout the series dealership in Stockport, Cheshire. Now in and his wife with a little more free time on >>>

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RT Team Spotlight Solomon

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the Children. As we ask about that, there is radiates a faint aura of this-can’t-be- just the tiniest change in Stacey’s happening-to-me. She remains firmly Stacey: demeanour. The giggles die down a little rooted amidst the people and places she My Story So Far and her answers become more thoughtful. knows best and still has the same interests “Stacey shares that she had before she appeared on TV. “Save the Children are doing a new the heartwarming campaign called No Child Born to Die. When we met Stacey her enthusiasm was story of her rise We went to Malawi to visit some hospitals focused on her new car, a VW Beetle. After that they’ve built and some nurses that he more serious interlude during which we to the top.” they’ve trained up and some schools discussed her work with Save the Children, Published by they’ve put money into. It was wicked. Stacey returns to giggle mode. Michael Joseph It was so good and such a good “I decided on the Beetle because I’ve got experience. The people there are so nice ISBN-10: 0718158156 a big Cougar at the minute, and it’s really, and so happy. In fact, what you see on the ISBN-13: 978-0718158156 really big. Perfect for, like, going away or... telly with like barren land and flies Well, I feel safe in it and it’s like a family everywhere, it’s not all like that. It was my car. Aw, my little Bug’s sitting out there car, but I’ve always wanted my own sort of green, with trees everywhere and the with ‘Sexy Bug’ written on it! girly, not practical, car people were so happy. They didn’t have “Me and my manager, Sal, were looking “I think it’s so lovely. So tiny as well, so anything but they were just so, so happy. through your website and we were just like now I don’t feel like a bus when I’m getting It was one of the nicest experiences I have [gasps]! We saw things like BUG 2 or into parking spaces. And I just feel really ever had. I thought it was lovely and really BUG 1, and some of them were really girly, and the roof goes down and I can’t nice to see. good, and then we saw ‘Sexy Bug’ and wait for summer.” “But they had 80 children in one children’s I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’ve got to have unit and just three nurses. Five children die What made Stacey choose SX10 BUG for that one!’ her personal registration? a week just in one hospital. So I’m going “But I wouldn’t have my name, no. With to be a patron of their campaign, going to “I decided on that number plate because ‘Stacey’ then I’d think everyone knows it’s different events and visiting Africa, and I didn’t want anyone to know my name, or mine. Some people don’t notice a number keep getting involved in trying to help.” to have my name on the car. I looked at it plate unless it’s a name, so if I had Stacey has lent her time, her name and/or and I thought, Aw, it’s such a cute little ‘Stacey’ I’d hate that - parked right outside her image to a number of causes in Bug, and then when I saw the number my house as well. I might as well drive various ways since she became famous. plate I was like, ‘Sexy Bug!’ I really wanted ‘Rob Me’! it - I’m really sad! Malaria No More, Barnardo’s, Genetic It seems that Stacey’s friends and family Disorders UK’s Jeans For Genes Day and “My old number plate is E10 SXF for share her love of personal registrations. others have been able to list her amongst ‘Stacey X-Factor’. Really, really sad! I didn’t “My friend’s got J44 DES (Jade’s). their supporters. even choose that one, Ford got that for My dad’s got SO10 MCN (Solomon). me. It is hard not to use cliches such as ‘down- [Laughs] We’re really sad! Hmm... Who to-earth’ when talking abut Stacey “I’m obsessed with number plates. I think else has got one? My friend, Natalie has Solomon. Stacey does not take her good your number plate has to go with your car. got ‘Nat’. We’re really, really into number fortune for granted. She seems to treat Whereas the other one was just like a plates. It’s really quite sad, but it’s so cute, each new opportunity or success as an random number plate, this one really fits unexpected blessing. In fact, she still >>> “I’m going to be a patron of their No Child Born to Die campaign, going to different events and visiting Africa, and keep getting involved in trying to help.” www.savethechildren.org.uk

>>> Success on The X-Factor led to more constantly tropical storms. I’m exercising and achieved a very respectable third television offers and Stacey was asked if every day - something I’m not used to. place. she’d like to participate in the 2010 series I’m going on these long hikes, eating bugs of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and things like that. I know that sounds Now her career is taking off independently “They rang up and asked for an interview, disgusting and like someone’s worst of that show, does Stacey keep in touch nightmare, but I thought it was such an with any of the other contestants? then they just said do you want to do it? I was like, why not? experience. “Yeah, I still see Olly and Danyl [Johnson] “I love camping. I know it’s not the same, all the time; sometimes Jedward, but “I can’t say no to anything and my manager gets so annoyed. All the charities but I go to the V Festival every year and I they’re always all over the country. Olly’s sleep on, like, mud on the ground and I just down the road so I see him. He’s and things like that, I just can’t say no to them. I was no one before all this love it! But the jungle’s just the worst. recording all the time as well, so we’re in Two weeks into it you’re thinking about the same studios as I’m working on an happened, so for me to say, no, I’m not doing it, well, I’d just feel like an idiot. In baked beans or sweetcorn - just imagining album at the minute. Please God, it’ll be things that you know you could have every released in the summer. It depends. two years’ time I could look back and think that I’d turned down an opportunity that I’ll day at home. It makes you think that you Sometimes the deadlines don’t go exactly don’t really need anything. It was so nice how you want them to go, but as far as never get again. So I have to do everything! not having my mobile phone. I have about I am aware it’ll be summer. I can’t wait!“ a thousand phone calls a day, and it was As Stacey observed, even the best laid “The jungle was so much fun. I’ve never, so nice just to lie there and think, I wonder plans sometimes have to be revised, and ever been to somewhere so different from what’s going on in the outside world. where I live. I’ve never been in an the album release is, at the time of writing, I don’t have to think about anything!” “When I saw the environment so extreme and so different due to happen during the winter of number plate I was like, from everything that I know. I’m sleeping The celebrity jungle wasn’t the only far- 2011/2012. ‘Sexy Bug!’ I really outside and it’s freezing cold. It’s flung corner Stacey has been called upon to visit. She made a trip to Africa with Save wanted it.”

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The height of

>>> fashion having your number plate and having your car.

“Back in the day, my dad used to just buy s you may have read in our cover random number plates. He’s a feature, Stacey Solomon has been photographer and he had ‘camera’ on his Achosen to be the ‘face’ of plate and things like that. He just bought Theo Paphitis’s new lingerie line, Boux loads and loads and loads, and we were Avenue. always like, wow! As kids we thought it was all really cool. Theo Paphitis is a retail expert, having revived the fortunes of notable brands “We’re Jewish and he had ‘Chuppah’ such as La Senza Lingerie (UK), Contessa [Jewish wedding canopy], C11 UPA Lingerie, Ryman the Stationers and because he did Jewish weddings. He had Partners the Stationers. a Rolls-Royce and things like that, like just Theo is probably best known these days for hire, and he used to put that number for his role as one of the ‘dragons’ in the plate on and...whatever. So, he’s always popular TV show, Dragons’ Den. Recently, been really interested in it. My mum Theo also starred in a new seven-part BBC couldn’t care less. TV series, called The Next Big Thing. The “My sister’s quite into it. She doesn’t like to programmes looked at the exciting world admit it but she is quite into it. She’s called of retail buying and the strategies and tactics adopted by potential suppliers. Jemma and even if a number plate just has a ‘J’ in it she thinks, Yes! Some people Theo’s latest venture is another foray into have really good number plates. I’ve seen the world of fashion. As he explains, “Boux one with just LEE, like ‘Lee’. I know it Avenue will offer an amazing lingerie and sounds stupid but to me that’s like, wow!” nightwear shopping experience for women who are looking for something truly When we spoke with Stacey she was special.” working on her book. Stacey Solomon: My Story So Far has been a very successful To celebrate his new clothing venture, first autobiography. Theo has adorned himself, or rather his car, with the perfect number plate, “Yeah, but it’s not really an autobiography X8 OUX. because I haven’t really lived very long! It’s The ‘Boux’ plate was supplied by more like everything I’ve done so far. I Regtransfers who, as regular readers of anted to write everything down so I’ll this magazine will know, had previously remember it how I felt it at that time. You indulged Mr P’s passion for personal and know how you just forget how you felt. business related plates with numbers like Like you forget what it was like to give birth RYM 4N (Ryman), LA53 NZA (La Senza) - like how horrendous it was, you just and T1 HEO (Theo) forget and think, Aw... another baby? I don’t want to forget anything that I’ve thought or anything that I’ve felt. I don’t want to forget nothing. The height of fashion “So, me and a writer have got together and I’ve got to tell her everything that’s ever happened, exactly how I felt. She’ll help me put it all into a book, and then that’ll be mine, everything that I’ve ever felt and ever done.” A lot is happening in Stacey’s life; she is the new face of Boux Avenue lingerie [see our feature on page 23] and has just launched her own perfume, ‘Smile by Stacey Solomon’ in the Perfume Shop and other stores nationwide. At this rate more installments of her autobiography won’t be far behind. She is clearly determined to live life to the full and grab every opportunity that comes her way. We can’t wait for volumes two and three and... Story: Rick Cadger Interview: Angela Banh www.bouxavenue.com Photography: Stan Thompson

www.bouxavenue.com

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The height of

>>> fashion having your number plate and having your car.

www.bouxavenue.com

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The Registration Numbers Club is the only traditional UK based club catering for enthusiasts of A word from the RNC personalised vehicle registration numbers. by Rod Lomax Joining us costs very little and the benefits taken place. These are now a regular to standardise them across all member could be substantial. feature in the area and the local press We were originally countries. In response, the DVLA said it is founded in 1977 and report the results widely. The number K50 obliged to recover the costs of its currently produce a sold for a staggering 1.5 million dirhams operation through fees and that as people quarterly newsletter, RNC (£263,500) and 126 raised 1.3 million News, which is the original independent club change visually over the years, it is vital to What’s the story? publication and is available free to subscribing dirhams (£228,400). G36 sold for 1.14 update licences regularly. Send YOUR photos to members. million dirhams (£200,300) and K999 went Legend [email protected] The club is run by Honorary Secretary, cheap at 710,000 dirhams (£124,750)! In Hi-tech plates coming to India Steve Waldenberg from the RNC office in Leeds. total, 115 numbers were sold which raised Rod Lomax from Bury in Lancashire is the club Publicity Officer and John Harrison, who has an 16.2 million dirhams (£2,846,250) for the expert knowledge of the whole system of vehicle Roads and Transport Authority. A further lly Ross is a Scottish motor remarkable period of over 40 years, Olly uses OBR 188 on his driving school registration in this country, is club archivist auction will take place at the end of the and advisor. year but future auctions could be held sport legend. He has been Olly has raced in more than 30 different vehicle. The OBR plate matches the initials For information about the RNC, please contact: online. racing cars of one kind or vehicles. He has raced in an astonishing of his full name, Oliphant Biggar Ross. Steve Waldenberg O Honorary Organising Secretary Is this back door taxation? another since 1964. Before that, and upon variety of motor sport classes and RNC Office, PO Box MT12, Leeds LS17 7UD Tel : 0113 226 7497 Fax: 0872 352 0140 leaving school, Olly ran a car service achieved 200 wins and 18 major racing Email: [email protected] Rod Lomax garage. The early garage experience fed titles. Publicity Officer The Indian State government has 5 Bank Top, Baldingstone, Bury, Lancs BL9 6RY requested bids to design, manufacture his enthusiasm for all things automotive Olly sent us a photograph of his two Tel: 0161 764 8180 Fax: 0700 345 1177 and fit new High Security Registration Email: [email protected] and, in 1968, Olly took over the Kenway Plates (HSRP) to all motor vehicles. private registrations, OBR 188 which was John Harrison Security measures would be incorporated, Archivist & Advisor School of Motoring which he still owns. purchased by Olly’s father 45 years ago, 175 Hillyfields, Loughton, Essex IG10 2PW such as a laser hologram and non- Tel: 020 8508 8851 (evenings/weekends only) removable fixings to prevent counterfeiting His parallel career as a racing driver and 9 OR which Olly bought through and duplication. They would also include a If you have a modern credit card sized started when he began competing in timed Regtransfers.co.uk more recently. What's happening in Dubai? driving licence with a photograph of unique identification number. speed hill climb and sprint events, later yourself on it, rather than the older paper It will become mandatory for all existing version, you may not be aware that it has registered vehicles to replace number moving on to circuit racing. During a to be renewed every 10 years to keep it plates with new HSRP versions within two up-to-date. It costs a rather expensive £20 years of the scheme being implemented. a time just to do this. According to a A senior official said that crime prevention Sunday newspaper, using a Freedom of would improve once all vehicle registration Information request, this netted the DVLA plates were in the new format. The scheme £42 million last year with a further £20 million gained by them for replacing lost or is designed to ensure a uniform stolen licences which now cost an specification all over India for all types of amazing £56.00 a time! vehicles. The bid also states that old number plates must be environmentally Hugh Bladon is a Registration Numbers destroyed. Club member and also a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers. STOP PRESS! RNC Rally 2012 He claimed that this is just another way to As the magazine went to press the extract yet more cash from hard pressed Registration Numbers Club announced motorists. The AA has also joined the that 2012 marks its 35th anniversary. A discussion saying that, as road tax raises rally will be held on Sunday 1 July 2012 around £45 billion a year, the cost of at a country park in Lancashire. Further driving licences could come out of that. details will be available at RNC member, Peter Entwisle, returned www.TheRNC.co.uk in the coming weeks. recently from a holiday in Dubai where a It was an EU directive which introduced further auction of personalised plates had photographic driving licences back in 1998

1903 And All That John Harrison’s newsletter, 1903 And All That, deals with all aspects of vehicle registrations. It is published quarterly and costs just £6 a year. If you are interested in subscribing and wish to receive a sample copy, simply send a large 76p stamped addressed envelope to: John Harrison, 175 Hillyfields, Loughton, Essex IG10 2PW

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Number plates bug Then came Y14 SMA for Nazum’s sister, Asma, on the occasion of passing her driving test. raser Russell is the proud owner of “Purchasing this plate was a great But things haven’t stopped there. Nazum two registration marks purchased experience. I was well assisted and felt is keen to find a plate for his daughter, Ffrom Regtransfers.co.uk. protected the whole way.” Rabia, which will reside on his Evo 6 Tommi Mackinem model, and for his son, Fraser’s wife started the ball rolling when Initially the price of the plate was a little Tauheed, and nephew, Haroon. she bought him 65 FR. more than Fraser wanted to spend, but “I was not born in 1965, however the 65 with a little negotiating by Will on behalf of Nazum is eager to credit his brother, both parties, and a little flexibility all round, Mohammed Wahid (below), for the does have relevance. I initially had it on a Jaguar but then I had it transferred onto a deal was struck and everyone was siblings’ business success. Wahid owns happy. many businesses such as newsagents my Landrover Discovery 4 last September shops and is very popular in the area. when I bought it. Lovely car, and the plate “I paid the initial deposit and the plate for “Without his hard work and success,” says really does it justice.” my motorbike arrived in the post the very Becoming the proud owner of 65 FR gave next day. What amazing service! The If it’s out Fraser the infamous number plates bug: whole way through the process I was able the urge to buy more! to track the progress of my purchase there, we’ll online. I was able to see that you had “I decided to find another plate for the bike received the paperwork from me, the find it! Hot Property that I predominantly use for my business. paperwork from the seller, right through to Can’t find exactly the number I own a concierge and lifestyle the receipt of the documents from the plate you are looking for? management company called Head DVLA. Altogether a wonderful professional Our RegAlert service Concierge Ltd. service. can help. .co.uk www.regalert azum Akhtar is a successful “Will Robinson, an excellent member of “I am still keeping the Regtransfers team Simply sign up online and tell property developer from your team, helped me to negotiate with the busy through your cool RegAlert service, us what you are looking for. We Birmingham. He purchased his first previous owner of 65 HC. HC being the N as I am looking for another plate for my will contact you by SMS text personal number plate when he was just initials of the company and 65 showing the wife’s car. I have looked at other firms out and email immediately a match 18 years old. N4 XUM - representing his date and month that I received my first there, but none of them come across to is found. name - has sat proudly on his Honda payment from a client when I started the me as professional and helpful as you Accord ever since. business back in 2003. guys at Regtransfers. Thank you.” “The next plate I bought,” said Nazum, And thank you, Fraser! “was 24 WR. This was a gift for my brother, Wahid. We have a portfolio of 24 properties in Birmingham. The ‘W’ stands for Wahid and the ‘R’ for his wife, Razia. 24 WR adorns our Rolls Royce Silver Spur.” By now, Nazum had really caught the bug and decided to buy yet another plate for their BMW Series 7. N77 UMA again resembles his forename but has the ‘A’ for Akhtar at the end as well.

Nazum. “We wouldn’t have been as successful as we are today.” The family’s business acumen goes back another generation, however. Their father, Mohammed Akhtar (left), was a butcher who eventually owned a string of properties in the 1980s. He is now retired and has a passion for buying horses back home in Pakistan. Naturally, Nazum will be searching for an appropriate ‘Horse’ plate for his father’s next birthday. “I was really pleased with the service Regtransfers provided,” says Nazum. “I always go to them when I need a personal plate and have told my family and friends to do the same.” 28_STACEY_SOLOMON_C2.qxd 08/11/2011 10:39 Page 60

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numberplatenews ODY one out

Cover Stars Grapple for TV ownership and later returned ‘home’ once ill Ody is an expat Englishman living “The DY number plates really caught my Bill transferred the registration to his Success again when it was sold to Bill Spence from in Australia. He must be one of the attention and, even at that tender age, parents’ car when he emigrated to Membership is Kirkwall, Orkney. Bfew Australian residents to own a I became determined that one day I would Australia. Two of the country’s greatest boxers went UK vehicle registration on a retention have a car with an ODY registration. “My mother in particular loved having the head to head on television recently. But it certificate. At first thought it may seem Fifth Time Lucky “Well, the years passed and, from time to number on her car and she was well wasn’t in a boxing ring. A new prime-time difficult to imagine how such a situation time, I scanned the adverts in papers such known in Winborne, Dorset, where she show, Red or Black, has a simple format It took five attempts, but Thailand’s most could arise, but when one knows the story as the Daily Telegraph or Sunday Times. lived, for parking pretty much wherever which successively splits groups of expensive plate has finally changed hands it all makes perfect sense. FREE contestants depending on the two for £137k in a public auction. Then, one day in around 1972, I saw an she felt like on the basis that she had a “In 1961, when I was about 11 years old, advert for ODY 7. The asking price was ‘Blue Sticker’. possible outcomes of various events. The problem at past events has been that, my mother was hospitalised and offers over £100. So, I phoned up and Eventually, the one remaining player is whilst plenty of punters were prepared to “Sadly my father passed away seven years With so much interest in subsequently went to a convalescence offered £100. Upon being told that it was looking at a possible £1m jackpot. place ambitious bids for the prized number ago and my mother just recently in May of personal number plates these home in Bexhill, East Sussex. One day, as offers over £100. I said, ‘OK, then. £101!’ ‘9999’ they all got cold feet when it came this year. As I live in Australia the number days, a definitive guide to the One of the rounds was announced as a we went to visit my mother I noticed that That was accepted and, having declined to stumping up the cash. is now on a retention certificate and at challenge involving none other than David there were vehicles around with ODY the offer of the old Ford Consul that the subject needed to be brought some point may have to be sold and put ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye and Amir Khan. ‘9999’ was first offered for sale as long registrations. registration was to a wider audience. back onto a UK vehicle. I just hope that it But, apart from the obvious sporting ago as 2006 and attracted a failed bid of I learned that Bexhill on, I became the goes to someone who has a good reason connection, these two bruisers also have £165k. At subsequent auctions, offers of was within the proud owner of And what better way than to to want it and will give it a good home.” something else in common. They are both £93k, £102k and £143 also fell through Arundel registration ODY 7.” utilise the internet. devotees of personal number plates. when it came to the crunch. area for DY. David’s Mercedes sports DD11 AYE (‘D D Defaulters are automatically blacklisted Haye’) on the cover of the previous issue and can only enter future auctions upon of the Regtransfers magazine, The World Historic and payment of a significant penalty. of Personal Number Plates, whilst Amir was comprehensive pictured with the plate BOX 111G in the information on same publication a while back. In the Heritage Plates Tempt accompanying articles, both men express Aussie Investors number plates from their enthusiasm for private plates. In Australia, they’re known as ‘Heritage So who won the contest? It’s a hard Plates’ and, just like over here, they attract over 300 countries! choice, BOX 111G or DD11 AYE. Oh, you serious investors who have become wise mean on the television show? Bizarrely, the to their unique potential. punches were saved for some paper The government has stockpiled large screens which the men had to shadow box numbers of registrations, which were Membership their way through in the shortest time. originally issued as far back as the David narrowly won the contest for the beginning of the last century and handed benefits: ‘Red’ team. back after falling into dis-use, and has Forums with your questions been offering them back to the public at a ‘Persuader’ Reunited with premium since the mid 1980s in ‘Great answered Plate Plate’ auctions. Half-price offer on the A former James Bond turned up on BBC Naturally, the lower numbers are the most superb 300-page book Television’s The One Show when veteran sought after and those including a number actor, Roger Moore, was featured 8 are of particular interest to Asian buyers, Fanatical About Number publicising a forthcoming book about his to whom the digit has special significance. Plates role as the world’s most famous fictional The state of Victoria’s number ‘1’ plate was Cherished Registrations secret agent. first sold for the equivalent of a mere newsletters Later on in the programme, Roger was £165k some years back. It is now reputed reunited with the car he drove in an earlier to be worth at least £1.28m. News bulletins about incarnation as Lord Brett Sinclair in the Plate collector and internet seller, Scott changes to number plate early 1970s TV action drama, The Thompson, considers that, “at this point, Persuaders. The Aston Martin DB5 was plates are very cheap.” In his opinion, rules and regulations the original vehicle used in the ground- “they have probably hit the bottom and, Early access to the best breaking Anglo-American production, really, the only place they can go is which also featured Hollywood legend, upwards now.” newly available personal Tony Curtis, as his transatlantic Scott recently sold the Queensland counterpart. plates registration ‘Q23’ for more than £64k, but Third party special offers The car was shown still bearing his reckons that it would have gone for character’s signature registration, BS 1. considerably more just a few years ago. Valuation service Although the number was used only for So, it seems to be a buyers’ market at the filming and not displayed when being moment for Aussie heritage plates, with Certification Alert driven on the public highway, permission canny speculators looking to make a to use it was sought from and granted by killing in the future. its real owner at the time, the circus Where and when a World-wide, smart investors increasingly tycoon, Billy Smart. registration was issued view personal number plates as both a BS 1 was one of the first number plates novel and safe addition to their portfolios. ever issued back in 1904 and originally After all, who can argue with the prospect The UK’s largest online assigned by the Orkney licensing authority. of an appreciable asset which requires no It was held for some time by security, insurance or maintenance? number plates community Regtransfers.co.uk following Mr Smart’s

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show called Psychic Livetime. Later he was mundane than the well known stately homes, ‘UK’s foremost medium’. Derek is currently given his own show, Predictions with Derek castles etc that had been the norm for Most half way through his UK theatre tour, aptly Acorah, where he would conduct readings for Haunted. Derek would also knock on named True Vision. members of the public in their own homes. people’s doors and offer them a private Derek lives with his wife of 15 years in sitting in their own homes. Acorah was joined In January 1998, Derek travelled to Los Southport, along with his two dogs, a cat, for the first two series by presenters Daniella Angeles where he took part in various 15 chickens, three ducks and a prized Westbrook and Angus Purden, followed by paranormal investigations there and in collection of koi carp. His love for animals is Myleene Klass and Rhodri Owen for the third Hollywood. He recorded a pilot for a new apparent, always having had pets around and final series. show named Connections with Derek Acorah. him. The show involved touring the streets of In 2004, Derek was presented with the Variety Derek has a love of fast, luxurious cars, his Santa Monica giving impromptu readings to Club of Great Britain’s Multichannel TV present chariot being a Chrysler 300 Hemi, members of the public but sadly the show Personality of the Year Award, as chosen by with a huge 5.7 litre engine. He is nominee to was never picked up by any of the television its members. To mark the 400th anniversary a variety of cherished numbers, all of which networks. of the Gunpowder Plot (1605), Living are currently on retention. Derek says, commissioned a one-off programme called In July 2001, Derek was asked to feature in a “I’ve always thought of private number plates Derek Acorah’s Quest for Guy Fawkes which new British television programme called as an extension of one’s personality. To have was broadcast on November 5th in 2005. Haunting Truths which was subsequently sold your name or your profession displayed on a Derek travelled the country, visiting key to the channel Living and renamed vehicle is the ultimate accolade and locations in order to retrace the footsteps of Most Haunted. It was at this time that he testament to the success or achievement of Guy Fawkes. became Britain’s most widely known medium your work. I am proud and privileged to be and was described as “the sexiest man in In 2007, along with his wife Gwen, he the nominee of such fantastic individual spiritualism”. He worked on the show for six travelled to Egypt to film Paranormal Egypt. number plates and look forward to eventually series until his departure in 2005, when he This six-part series was commissioned by owning a fleet of vehicles with them all on left to pursue other projects. Living and saw Derek venturing into sacred display.” tombs within the Pyramids, seeking out In Spring 2003 Living commissioned Antiques Derek is currently on tour in the UK at various spirits of ancient pharaohs and gods. Ghost Show which featured the art of theatre venues where he hosts evening psychometry, with Acorah exploring the 2009 featured two programmes where Derek demonstrations of clairvoyance and mysteries of family heirlooms. Derek Acorah’s attempted to make contact with the spirit of mediumship. Ghost Towns followed which involved the Michael Jackson. Earlier this year he took www.derekacorah.com public, and highlighted their personal stories part in a live online seance. The event was of ghostly activity in locations rather more hosted by The Sun describing him as the

erek Acorah is widely known as the Acorah says that he had Derek found his rise to international fame UK’s top spirit medium. As a young always been aware of his and household celebrity took a long time. man, Derek fulfilled a boyhood spiritual awareness. D In 1996 Granada Television aired a ambition to be a footballer when he signed His psychic powers have new show called The for Wrexham as an apprentice. Two years been with him since Psychic Zone. Following later he had moved on to Liverpool FC, his childhood. Upon his the success of his initial home town, under manager Bill Shankly. After return to the UK he set appearance on the show, spells with other clubs, he left the UK for up as a full time spirit Acorah was regularly Australia to pursue his career in football, but medium, in a small office invited back to feature in returned to England some years later based in Liverpool. weekly segments. He then following an injury which put paid to his Success in his new worked as a main footballing future. field was not contributor in a spin-off instantaneous and 28_STACEY_SOLOMON_C2.qxd 08/11/2011 10:37 Page 53 28_STACEY_SOLOMON_C2.qxd 08/11/2011 10:38 Page 54

Byeways Coaches Marketing on a Plate

om Stanhope bought his first “On a few occasions I was asked why I will not go south of the Thames after 10pm coach, a 12 metre Volvo 49-seater, called the coaches Byeways. My answer they couldn’t really display it! “ Tin 1966, closely followed by a 1969 was normally that ‘I’m not allowed on Now fully retired and Byeways Coaches AEC Classic Coach. motorways. I have to stay on country disbanded, Tom is looking to pass the roads’. This was generally acepted.” “I called the outfit Byeways for no ‘BYE’ registrations on and is currently particular reason,” says Tom. “I operated Tom believes that both numbers were looking for a ‘TPS’ mark for himself and his several coaches for 12 years before originally issued by Croydon County wife, Pauline. retiring, during which time I bought the Council in 1963 to motorcycles used by registrations 804 BYE and 805 BYE. the Metropolitan Police. What’s the story? Send YOUR photos to “As a young man, I subsequently joined [email protected] the police force in 1965 and served for 25 years,” Tom informs us. “I then ran a driving school for company car drivers, engaged in motorcycle training and also ran a chauffeur service. This vehicle had the registration A11 LDN (‘All London’).

“When I decided to sell the plate, I advertised it in several London taxi drivers publications. Perhaps they didn’t understand it, or were worried that it was too easy to remember. Considering they

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Marketing on a Plate

Cut and Blow

oger Paul Beresford-Jones runs the Roger and Whitney Houston, who Roger Thatch Hair Technique, a very trendy his wife met last year whilst touring Rhair salon in Carlisle. promptly round Ireland. cruised around California on a Roger owned the number plate 5 CUT for “I love our ‘Cut’ and ‘Blo’ plates, Harley-Davidson motorbike on the profits. about 30 years until he sold it through BL04 CUT and BL05 CUT, on the bike Regtransfers. The lady in the photograph is, however, and car,” Roger enthuses. “They are a not Mrs Beresford-Jones, but superstar, great talking point and really help to sell the salon brand.”

Byeways Coaches Marketing on a Plate Now You’re Off! om Stanhope bought his first “On a few occasions I was asked why I will not go south of the Thames after 10pm “About 25 years ago I attended an auction coach, a 12 metre Volvo 49-seater, called the coaches Byeways. My answer they couldn’t really display it! “ in Nottingham,” says funeral director, Harry Mouat. “I was interested in a car in 1966, closely followed by a 1969 was normally that ‘I’m not allowed on T Now fully retired and Byeways Coaches being sold by Champion Spark Plugs. AEC Classic Coach. motorways. I have to stay on country disbanded, Tom is looking to pass the The car was a Daimler DS420 and it was roads’. This was generally acepted.” advertised as ‘Managing Director’s car’. “I called the outfit Byeways for no ‘BYE’ registrations on and is currently I was interested in the car for my funeral particular reason,” says Tom. “I operated Tom believes that both numbers were looking for a ‘TPS’ mark for himself and his business. The NYO 1 number plate came with that car.” several coaches for 12 years before originally issued by Croydon County wife, Pauline. retiring, during which time I bought the Council in 1963 to motorcycles used by NYO 1 is now displayed on his company’s Rolls-Royce hearse which, because of the registrations 804 BYE and 805 BYE. the Metropolitan Police. What’s the story? registration is affectionately known as Send YOUR photos to Now You’re Off. “As a young man, I subsequently joined [email protected] “On my wife’s car is the registration the police force in 1965 and served for 25 WNR 1,” says Harry. “That sits there telling years,” Tom informs us. “I then ran a us both that We’re Not Ready. We also driving school for company car drivers, thought Wayne Rooney’s middle name might begin with an N, but actually I think engaged in motorcycle training and also its Michael... ran a chauffeur service. This vehicle had “On my Rolls Royce stretch limousine sits the registration A11 LDN (‘All London’). XCV 1. I’m sorry to say there is no tale to tell about this one, but it looks very smart “When I decided to sell the plate, when behind the hearse. I advertised it in several London taxi “On my own car I have HMM 40, my drivers publications. Perhaps they didn’t initials, which I had for my 40th birthday. The thing about this plate is that it brings understand it, or were worried that it was back memories of youth as I am now 68. too easy to remember. Considering they Sometimes you do think, where have those 28 years gone?”

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The key to success

never tempted to put it on the various My 89-key fairground organ is Rolls Royces that I have owned.” critically acclaimed as one of the The number is now on his Land finest examples still travelling. I hire Rover Discovery, complemented by this out for corporate events, open GR 45 on a 1910 International lorry. days and weddings, etc. One client “I have had these for over 35 years,” remarked it is cheaper than hiring he states proudly. “GR 45 does the the band of the Coldstream London to Brighton run and other Guards!“ HGV shows.” Goff also has GPR 6 Goff bought the registration at on his wife’s car, and 6 GPR on auction, but the process was fraught retention, a lovely matching pair of numbers which he purchased through Regtransfers. But his pride and joy is the number 89 KEY, which is displayed on the Volvo hospitality unit which tows a fairground organ to corporate events and shows. The number relates, however, to the organ itself, an extremely rare and beautifully preserved ‘89-key’ Marenghi model built in Paris in 1901. with potential disaster, as he 12 in the country), 89 KEY would not My polite response is ‘please take a explains: be of much interest. But it attracts look at the tax disc in the “It plays on punch-card music,” such a lot of interest when I attend windscreen.’ Modesty forbids me to Goff informs us. “All key instruments “I rearranged my very busy working events. On more than one occasion, gloat when they realise it is the elf-styled ‘Wandering Minstrel’, from piano accordions through to life in order that I could bid in someone has asked me if it was genuine number.” Goff Radcliffe, has spent most grand pianos are all signified by the person, but the driver that undertook worth replacing the road plates with Sof his working life in the road number of keys. my regular Italian run was taken ill, haulage business. “Prior to selling my so I was forced to undertake the ‘show plates’ on private ground. business to Pickfords, the number run myself.” GR 15 was always on my service “I arranged to bid by mobile van. I have tended to phone but, just as the auction understate myself and began, I was entering the Mont was Blanc Tunnel and the mobile phone reception was awful. Twice the phone ‘died’. I prayed I would not be cut off again as the under- bidder would then get 89 KEY. “This time my luck was in and the reception was clear enough for me to hear the bidding in the room. I could tell there was not much interest in the number. The end result being that the number was knocked down to me for just over the very low reserve price. I didn’t need to be driving over the Alps with 44 tonnes as I was personally flying much higher than that! “Upon reflection I suppose that, apart from a locksmith or another 89 key fairground organ owner (of which there are only about

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The key to success

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n our Summer 2006 issue, we “It has been a garage since the early “I was devastated to have missed the however, agree to call the dealer and published an article about Neil Brown 1900s,” says Neil. “We offer a selection sale of 1 JUU. I had registered for the ask him to contact me which, thankfully, Iand his longstanding interest in of low mileage, high quality, hand- auction but my builder side-tracked me. he did. We agreed a price, the deal was personal car registrations. Since 1982, picked cars with full workshop facilities It wasn’t until the following morning, done and 1 JUU now adorns my wife Neil had purchased a whole catalogue to support the customer. Although times when I received the email from the DVLA Julie’s Mercedes. of private number plates including: are hard we still continue to supply a to bid on the unsold lots, that I realised. 33 JYD, NBO 324, 367 NB, 17 NB, “Regtransfers.co.uk has always given steady number of cars onto the roads.” So, disappointed, I rang the auction JO51 HUA, H46 LEY, N88 OWN, me excellent service and the number house to see if a dealer or a number J111 SEE and GFB 446 for himself or He is still buying number plates. plates you provided have given me, my plate fan had bought the number. for family members. He also acquired As before, he secures registrations for family and my friends a lot The operator confirmed that many plates for friends, including other people as well as for himself. to smile about.” is was sold to a dealer D6 XYS, P4 DUK, M6 LRB and “22 N belonged to a friend of mine and but, obviously, V16 NDA. it looked fabulous on his new Gallardo couldn’t reveal Neil contacted us again recently with an Spider. I said that if ever he wanted to the name. update. His autonumerological sell it he should let me know. I bought it She did, enthusiasm appears to be undampened in November 2008 and it has been on a Neil’s Wheels by the passage of time. few Porsches since. It’s a great number Since our last contact, Neil has bought and creates a lot of interest. his own business. He purchased the Village Green Garage in 2009.

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