. . . they all mean something to me

Ever since reading an article in Reader’s Digest some 25 years ago, I have been interested in personalised number plates. "How cool to have a number plate with your name on?" I thought, at the tender age of 14.]

Over the years, I have bought a number of plates and they all mean something to me.

In 1996 I purchased 249 JOE from Regtransfers and, as it was so straightforward, it became an easy hobby to continue.

Since my first purchase, I've also acquired 3798 HJ for my Harley Davidson motorbike (HJ standing for Harley Joe) and 491 CXM for my CCM motorbike. My eldest son is called Callum so, by changing his middle name to X-ray, it fitted his initials perfectly!

My partner Debbie-Jane reckons I'm a fast driver, but she's no slow coach herself, as the number of points on her licence proves. So, when she speeds along, I'm constantly telling her she's not driving a fire engine or answering an emergency call! When the number plate 999 DJX came along, I just had to purchase it.

In a copy of Regtransfers - The World of Personal Number Plates, 666 CJX was advertised and, as it made a nice pair with 999 DJX, the call was made and the registration was mine to go on my Kawasaki motorbike.

A couple of years ago we had a daughter and, with her name being Ava, the number plate AVA 4V was purchased. As I had run out of cars and bikes to put plates on, our friend Carole’s car sports this one.

Last year we had a son, Rafferty, and his nickname is Rafmo - half his first name and half his surname. As everyone else in the family had their own plates, it only seemed fair to buy one for him, so R4 FMO now adorns his Grandad’s car.

In addition to the above plates, I also have DJI 9358 and X111 AVA on retention but, with no vehicles to put them on, I'm looking to sell them . . . unless another member of the family or a friend wants them on their car.

Number plates continue to fascinate me. Where did they come from? Why did someone buy that. I wonder what significance that one has. It certainly makes driving more interesting when you see another car with a personalised number plate.

Joe Morley
Burton-on-Trent