Member Info for Slomo12

Tony H. I take exception to some of the remarks you make, especially the nonsense about women. What century were you born in, for heaven's sake? I was born in 1950 (so even more trips around the block than ForestG) and I have worked all my life from childhood in my parents' business and since then I have worked in various sectors over the years; even now, I do occasional work. I've never expected anyone to "sponsor" me, whatever that means... I invested in H&W because I believe that we need the skills and facilities that they were bringing about & especially because they were real, skilled jobs in areas that don't have many prospects for young people, so many of whom, inevitably, feel forced to move in order to get good jobs which further impoverishes poorer regions. I wish that our Government would consider the longer term picture, but this seems to me a moment for realising that there is no guts or gumption in the new Government. I hadn't had the same expectations of Starmer as I had when Blair first got in, so the disappointment in this instance is not so bitter. I still feel I did right to try to support the industry even if it has been mismanaged.

Where's the fun in that? I invest for many reasons, and I make many mistakes. If it stops being fun, then stop doing it! I invested in Harl because they invested in Appledore and continue to provide good jobs & training in areas that really need it. I'm not going to abandon ship because I do believe it is worth supporting. Maybe I'm a dumb blonde, but blondes do have more fun!!

Like many who have been burned with this share, I believed in the concept of providing good quality housing to homeless &/or vulnerable people with support. Sadly there was naivete at all levels which was exploited - and that naivete was compounded by a staggering lack of attention to all aspects. There should have been rigorous investigation of the purchases and of the clients to whom the properties were entrusted. Since that rigour is being applied by AEW and the truth of the situation laid bare, we can see what has been lost. However, not all is lost, and I remain hopeful that something may be salvaged and the original intentions that made some of us invest in the first place may be realised, albeit in a much reduced portfolio, with better, closer oversight and management...

Can't agree that Starmer is "intelligent & principled" - he's a wobbler, and I don't trust him. I look at all three leaders of Tory, Labour & Lib Dem and wonder how we have ended up with such lacklustre 'leaders'... When will any of them stand up for British businesses and stop the constant loss of brilliant companies to foreign ownership? They worry that LSE is losing its position but don't see the damage of this constant erosion of ownership. US preaches free enterprise, but wouldn't let it happen there. We are in tricky times in so many areas. God help us all!!

I disagree with your take on this - maybe I'm naive. I think it has been a lot tougher to turn things around and everyone involved is having to accept some pain or a complete loss. I'm still backing Dunkerton to be able to bring Superdry back from the dead, but that depends on others giving him the time, the breaks he needs and the backing. FWIW I will be taking up the offer and transfer to a nominee account from ISA as required.

So pleased that they won the appeal. I never understood why they were implicated in the first place, so good result after a long wait..

Bertram, the refusal to pay is more likely to be because of stricter regulation over the name and account number being identical on any form to what is recorded online. All this concern over money-laundering just gets in the way of common sense - which doesn't operate in any automated systems. I had to resend a payment to someone because I'd just used an initial and the account is held with full name! Can't blame NS&I for this, it's legal requirements and automated banking systems that make for difficulties... Incidentally, NS&I have been brilliant over my late husband's holdings - sorry you've had problems.

I do so agree. This has been going on for quite a few years now and I have lost really good companies. I would like to invest for the longer term, but I keep finding great companies snatched away. Sadly, we are in a topsy-turvy world where there is jam today but no bread tomorrow...

This was my response to MaryBr190 about Nationwide...

There would never be a windfall because those with those rights are the minority. If Nationwide 'belongs' to anyone, it is to the directors who will do whatever they like - such as buying a bank, awarding themselves huge pay awards, appointing the directors they want. The 'quickvote'/charity donations is a brilliant wheeze that ensures the directors have the vast majority of any votes on any issue as most members are uninterested & just think they are doing a good thing for charity in handing votes to the Board. As to VMUK, I have now sold my shares as it seems a done deal of which I heartily disapprove.

I think JD came back in because Superdry was already floundering & he thought he could turn things around and has found that it just hasn't worked as he'd intended. He still thinks he can recover the situation. That might be arrogance, or misreading how things have changed. I really don't think he wants Superdry to fail nor that there is anything fraudulent. He, like those of us still invested, hopes that Superdry can get costs down and negotiate their way out. I know it seems like a car crash now, but I sincerely hope that a good brand can be retrieved. It does need everyone to work together - that's BOD, JD, shops to have rents renegotiated or closed out etc. I will keep hoping for a recovery - it ain't flat-lined yet!

Nationwide came up with a brilliant way to stitch up their members - they sign away their rights when they join and if Nationwide board has to seek their votes e.g. for AGM - Nationwide offer to pay a contribution to charity if members send in their votes, but Hey! they don't have to think about how to vote, they can just authorise Nationwide to vote on their behalf. Members who aren't interested (majority) but like the idea of 'their' 'mutual' Building Society giving to charity give the board free rein to elect the board members and award them their remuneration packages etc. So the more active members are effectively gagged/sand-bagged before they can even start.

Oh, Eckie, there was no Endowment mortgage swindle - it was a good idea & worked for ages, but providers got over-confident about returns as they'd enjoyed such rich returns. Anyone with any sense could over-pay on their mortgages because interest rates had fallen so that the reduced payout on the Low Cost mortgages would still cover what remained due. What is there now that will help people pay off their mortgages? It was a great shame that the whole concept got trashed as there was a lot to be said for it. And now you're getting het up over your perceived losses. I'm sorry if that is what is going to happen to you, but relying on one share to fund your retirement sounds perverse. I'm doing like another poster suggests, investing in various shares in an ISA and hoping that the dividends will buy me a few treats in my dotage!

I invest for all the wrong reasons - sometimes it pays off, sometimes not. I invested in H&W when they took on Appledore and offered training and decent employment prospects and so far I don't care that the SP is way below what it was when I first bought in. In my opinion, we need these facilities and highly trained personnel, it may pay off in time or it might not. Never invest what you need to keep afloat yourself!!

Joint statement says 2.20 being 2.18 per share plus the 2p dividend. Still unhappy!

I'm an investor and a customer of Virgin and I think they're brilliant. Unlike Nationwide, they pay decent interest on accounts and are really easy to use (and I speak as a technophobe). What is Nationwide going to do? Shaft the customers - oh, sorry "members" with their really crap interest payments and award all the directors lots more pennies for all the extra work they have to do... I'm upset!

All I can say is - me too!

The problem comes about when those who are engaged to do the work then sub-contract and quality becomes more variable. Quality control and proper oversight are vital. When they manufactured in UK it was all well controlled. Distance makes it more difficult and more important to ensure quality is maintained. Also copy-cat manufacturing leads to problems for any company...

Me too. I've always found them to be brilliant in answering any queries & dealing with anything I needed. That's why I decided to buy shares in them some years ago. I know you're told not to do that but it's my MO and I'll stick with it... I haven't sold and I don't understand why the SP has fallen so much. Hope I'm right and this has just been an over-reaction.

Me also. Not having a good time recently - this has been one of my 'seemed like a good idea at the time' buys and I still think it ought to come good, but whether that's just wishful thinking...