Jackie and John Cooke contest the DVLA's ruling on their cherished plate 'N14 GAS', choosing instead to display it in their garden.
In a notable local development, a couple from Frampton Cotterell in North Bristol has found a creative solution to a dispute with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) regarding their cherished number plate, 'N14 GAS'. Jackie and John Cooke, who have been loyal supporters of Bristol Rovers football club for decades, purchased the registration plate in 1997 as a symbol of their allegiance, interpreting 'N14 GAS' as a proud declaration of "Number one for the Gas."
However, the DVLA recently classified the plate as potentially offensive, leading to its withdrawal from circulation. Reports indicate that the agency suggested the plate could be misinterpreted as a racial slur. This official notice, communicated via post to the Cookes, sparked a lengthy back-and-forth with the DVLA, during which the couple sought to contest the ban on their plate. Ultimately, they were left with no option but to acquire a new number plate and await a refund on the £36 fee for the replacement. They have reported that this refund was only issued to them on April 14.
In light of their attachment to the number plate, the Cookes have chosen to showcase it in their garden instead of relinquishing it entirely. Speaking to BristolLive, Jackie stated, "We have found a place to exhibit our N14 GAS number plate - pride of place on our garden shed." This decision has turned their plate into a testament to their continued support for their football club.
Since the initial coverage of their situation in February by BristolLive, the Cookes have received considerable feedback regarding their number plate. They noted that many individuals have expressed concerns that under similar criteria, postal codes such as those beginning with N14, which encompass areas in Enfield and parts of London, could also face scrutiny for potential offensiveness. The couple remarked, "by the same criteria these postcodes would be deemed offensive," highlighting the broader implications of the DVLA's interpretation on a wider community.
BristolLive has reached out to the DVLA for further comments regarding this ongoing situation. The local community continues to follow the Cookes' story as it raises questions about the classification of language and sentiment within public contexts.
Source: Noah Wire Services
More on this
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https://www.gov.uk/dvla - The DVLA's official website provides information on their regulations and policies regarding vehicle registrations. It may not specifically address the Cooke's situation but offers context on DVLA operations.
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https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/ - This is the official website of Bristol Rovers football club, which is relevant to the Cooke's fandom. However, it does not directly address the number plate issue.
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https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/ - As a local news outlet, Bristol Post might cover similar stories or have reported on the DVLA's policies, though specific articles on the Cooke's case are not immediately available.
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https://www.noahwire.com - Mentioned in the article as a source, Noah Wire Services might have more details or similar stories on local events, although their coverage of the Cooke's situation isn't available.
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https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ - The official website of Bristol City Council could offer insights into local issues or community concerns, though it may not specifically address the number plate dispute.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent events, such as the Cookes receiving a refund on April 14 and initial coverage in February by BristolLive, indicating freshness and timely reporting.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
A quote from Jackie Cooke about displaying the number plate in their garden is included but lacks an original online source. However, it is attributed to BristolLive, suggesting it could be a primary quote.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from GloucestershireLive, which is a local news outlet. While it might not be as globally renowned as BBC or Reuters, it is still considered a reliable source for local news.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the context of a dispute with the DVLA over a number plate. However, some assertions about postal codes facing scrutiny lack evidence but are theoretically possible as part of the broader discussion.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and based on recent events, although some aspects lack direct evidence. The quotes seem original but without external verification. The source is locally reliable, and the claims are generally plausible. Overall, the story is believable but requires cautious interpretation due to the specific context.
Tags:
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DVLA
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number plate
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Bristol Rovers
