NEW Yorkers are giving a warm welcome to a Mercedes with ‘Greenock’ on its licence plate. <br /> <br />The car is owned by a proud former son of the town who emigrated to America in 1951 with his family, and lives in mid-Manhattan opposite Central Park. <br /> <br />Lawyer Bill Maitland, 67, became a top prosecutor before moving into finance, and has never forgotten his Greenock roots. <br /> <br />His mum, 92-year-old Nan Twaddle, lives in the same apartment block, and still has a flat in Greenock which she visits at least once a year. <br /> <br />Bill explained that he had seen vehicles with ‘New York’ on their licence plate, so he asked for permission to put ‘Greenock’ on his new car. He says he gets a great reaction as he drives around the Big Apple. <br /> <br />He said: “The plates have brought about waves from other drivers, and I also get thumbs-up from people who recognise the name of the town. <br /> <br />“In America the licence plates don’t transfer with the sale of the car, so they are in the family to stay.” <br /> <br />Bill and his mum are close friends of former Provost Ciano Rebecchi, who chats to them regularly. <br /> <br />He said: “Bill and Nan have never lost their passion for Scotland, and particularly for Greenock. They never lose an opportunity to tell people about their home town. <br /> <br />“If anyone from here goes to New York and sees the car, Bill and Nan would be delighted if they go up to speak to them. <br /> <br />“They read the Tele every day online, so that they can keep up to date with what’s happening in Inverclyde.” <br /> <br />Bill is a former president of New York’s St Andrew’s Society, and is closely involved with the Tartan Week Organisation. <br /> <br />He featured in a Tele report about the city being battered by ‘superstorm’ Sandy in October 2012, when large power transformers exploded near to their home.
