Autonumerology

This first volume featured a large list of car numbers as well as details of the cars that displayed them and the people who owned them at that time. After some research, Noel also compiled an introductory history of British car number plates which went into the book's foreword. Additionally, he wrote a comprehensive feature on the legendary number A 1.

Noel's book featured a record of the various registration codes and the geographical areas to which they applied> This enabled readers to identify where in the UK specific cars were originally registered. Amongst the numbers listed by Noel, it is perhaps interesting to note that many of the coveted number 1 registration plates were registered to mayoral vehicles which were owned by local councils. Examples of these included FV 1, BK 1, and TR 1 which were registered in Blackpool, Portsmouth and Southampton respectively.

Well and truly bitten by the publishing bug, Noel produced other independent books, and for one volume (now very rare) he enlisted the help of his friend Fred Fawbert in the capacity of illustrator. Proceeds from the sale of these books were donated to a children's charity in Essex. From 1969 onwards, Noel published eleven editions of his definitive Car Numbers series, the last appearing in 2000. In total, Noel has produced twenty-four books about vehicle registrations, several of which were edited by Brian Heaton. In the 1960s the media became interested in the subject, partly due to Noel's efforts, and several newspaper articles appeared.

Eventually Noel gave up his publishing and other activities to concentrate on his role as secretary of the Hotel and Apartments Social Club in Blackpool, a very successful venue attracting the country's top entertainment acts. This remains the focus of Noel's attention today, but his interest and enthusiasm in personal number plates remains, and he hopes others will keep that enthusiasm going.