How do you like the sign dad? (From Basingstoke Gazette)

How do you like the sign dad?

8:20am Saturday 31st July 2010 in

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FIRST impressions really count. That was the view of Paul Freeman who was so fed up with the lack of a sign welcoming visitors to his estate that his son took matters into his own hands and put up his own.

The sign which used to greet visitors to Burghclere Down was pulled down three-and-a-half years ago and every time Mr Freeman, who lives in Lilac Close, drove past he was reminded that a piece of the estate was missing.

“I’m someone who likes to take pride in where I live and for me first impressions really count,” said Paul.

“Without the sign there it just looked awful and I got irritated every time I drove past the wall.”

His son, James, who runs his own sign writing business, agreed with his dad and decided to fix the problem.

He made a new sign for the estate and fixed it to the wall as a surprise.

“I’m very house proud myself and, like my dad, regularly drove past thinking the sign needs to go back,” he said.

“Once I’d put it up I showed dad a picture of it on my phone and he thought it was a joke. He came straight down to have a look and he was thrilled.”