Number Plate Stories

Plates for kids!

By Ruby Speechley

920 FRT may not look like it means very much, but to little Otis the 0 FRT are his initials, Otis Fenton Robert Taylor. “We bought him the plate now, instead of when he’s 21, because we thought it would be a good investment for when he comes of age. It’s on the family car at the moment, but he knows it’s his.”

And it’s not just parents who are buying number plates for the youngest members of the family; it’s grandparents too. Ken Ball from the West Midlands thought it would be a great idea to buy a personalised plate for his grandson Ashley’s seventeenth birthday. “I think seventeen is a magical age,” said Ken, “Ashley is hoping to pass his driving test on that very day. It was my daughter who saw the number plate ASH 13Y for sale, but she couldn’t afford it. She knows I like personal plates; I’ve got a couple of my own already, 27 KB and 47 KB, so she asked me to buy it for him. I didn’t have to think twice about it, especially as it’s such a good one. I’m hoping it will increase in value for him in years to come.”

Growing up with your name on a plate is something that Debra Hastings thinks is important for her children too. She couldn’t afford 8 ART for her eight-year- old son Bart, but she was more than happy with the alternative, C8 ART. “It’s a present for him for when he is 18,” said Debra, “at the moment he hates his name. We let his 16-year-old brother, Greg, name him after Bart Simpson. I’m sure he’ll grow into it eventually.” Now they’re looking for J4 COB for their four-year-old. “It’s probably a bit pricey, but I know we’ll find a cheaper alternative if we need to. The important thing is that it’s something special for them isn’t it?”

That’s what Michael Christie from Bedfordshire thought when he found M4 TCH for his son, Myles. “I had been looking for a plate with his name, but as soon as I saw this one, I knew it was an ideal match!” said Michael. “Myles loves football. He plays for our local team, St. Martins and I’ve taken him to loads of league games.”

When asked what he thought of the special present from his Dad, the-ten- year old said, “It is a cool plate because it is about footy, and that’s my life.”

|1|2|