Registration Numbers Club

An Introduction to The RNC

For those passionately interested in cherished or personalised vehicle registration numbers perhaps a little history about this independent club might prove useful.

Founded in 1977, the Registration Numbers Club is the only UK based club for enthusiasts of this fascinating subject. It is dedicated to preserving the right to hold and transfer cherished vehicle registration numbers, a right which has been held since 1903 and which was once withdrawn in 1977 by the then DVLC following a strike by civil servants at its Swansea headquarters.

Former rally driver Alex Jackson of Leeds, was so concerned about the situation that he joined forces with classic car enthusiast and club magazine printer, Steve Waldenberg, to form the Registration Numbers Club. Membership quickly soared and the club soon became a voice for the cherished registration enthusiast around the UK.

The new club went from strength to strength, holding rallies at various venues throughout the country ... the cherished number owners voices had been heard and notice had been taken. Things eventually settled down for the better and the situation regarding registration transfers improved with Local Vehicle Licencing Offices eventually offering a much better and faster service.

All this is behind us today with an increased public awareness of the endless number plate possibilities available and a generally excellent transfer service meaning that registrations can change hands in a matter of days rather than months.

The RNC currently has a membership level of around 500+ and continues to monitor DVLA activities, although, in reality, few problems arise. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, 'RNC News', which is prepared by one of the original founders, Steve Waldenberg, from the RNC Office in Leeds. It is the original independent club publication dealing exclusively with cherished registrations and contains articles and photographs contributed by members as well as news concerning registrations and forthcoming events.

Rod Lomax, from Bury in Lancashire, a long time member, was appointed club Publicity Officer in the summer of 2000 and commenced activities to gain it a higher profile.

The club celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 1997 with a dinner at Boroughbridge prior to a rally at Harewood House in Yorkshire, and last year its 25th anniversary was marked with a rally at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire attracting over 80 vehicles and a well attended dinner the previous evening.

This summer the club will, once again, rally at the popular Stanford Hall in Leicestershire on Sunday 22nd June and will hold a celebratory dinner the prevous evening at the Denbigh Arms Hotel in nearby Lutterworth.

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