Darwen Share Discussion Threads

[m.t.glass] 25/2/2008 00:59

Darwen Holdings PLC
25 February 2008

DARWEN HOLDINGS PLC

Admission to AIM and first day of dealings

Darwen Holdings plc ('Darwen' or the 'Company') is pleased to confirm the
admission of its ordinary shares to trading on the AIM market of the London
Stock Exchange today, under the ticker symbol, DHP. The number of shares in
issue following admission is 49,293,145.

Darwen specialises in the design, assembly and supply of single and double deck
buses to bus service operators in the UK, through its subsidiary, Darwen Group
Ltd ('Darwen Ltd'). The Directors intend to establish Darwen as a leading
vehicle manufacturing business. In addition to continuing to produce the diesel
models, the intention is to develop a line of hybrid vehicles, which will enable
the Company to provide low emission solutions to Darwen's existing and new
customers in the UK and further grow its customer base.

The Board believes that market demand for Darwen's existing products will
strengthen as a result of the Department for Transport's overall strategy to
facilitate the increased use of public transport in the UK. The Directors
further anticipate that this transport strategy, combined with Government and
social pressures to reduce society's impact on the environment, will create
further opportunities for Darwen in the lower emissions vehicles marketplace. As
such, Darwen is developing the next generation of low emission buses, including
buses powered by diesel electric hybrid technology.

Commenting on today's admission, Chief Executive, Andrew Brian, said:

'Today's AIM admission will support our strategic progress and provide our
shareholders with greater visibility of value as the business grows. We have
strong technical know how, design innovation and engineering excellence within
the Company, and a strong reputation within the industry. The admission will
further cement this reputation with our business partners and customers,
supporting our goal to become a true leader in passenger vehicle design and
assembly.'

[a0002577] 28/10/2003 19:01

Downing healthcare's final results and statements show that they have no clear policy of where to go next.

I believe that the sensible thing would either be to wind up the trust or better still MERGE it with another better run trust such as Close Brothers (CVT) . They would be able to extract value and run it the way they have successfully run theirs

Any other holders out there who have views on this?