My bog standard, power of 2 view distance, Darren. I use it for everything along these lines (harhar). I like keeping things to powers of 2 like that... it's probably an Aspie thing.
James - try making the text a child of the plate and try again - it's something you can easily undo.
Select the text - the click the Select & Link button then click the Select By Name button - then select the plate - then click Link - finally click the Select Object button to disable the Select & Link button to prevent any accidental Parent selections.
There is an Unlink button as well - so you are safe.