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Portugal is the world’s largest cork producer, with the rich-coloured cork oak trees covering much of the inland hill country. Cork bark began to be harvested commercially in Portugal around 300 years ago and the trees are responsible for supplying the corks for some of the best wines, as well as being used for flooring, fashion, and even in NASA spaceships - where it was previously used for insulation!
The cork oak forests around the Algarve provide very high quality cork and also create wonderfully scenic walking routes to explore; the trees are big and rugged with evergreen foliage, acorns and thick cork coats. The cork oak provides the area with a vital source of income and so are highly respected, with the cork industry ensuring protection and conservation of the woodlands they harvest from. The bark of the oak is carefully cropped by hand, using a special axe, every eight to 11 years. This exposes the reddish-brown bark beneath which will dull down to grey with ageing and the eventual re-growth of the cork. Whilst you're walking you may notice the white numbers painted onto the trunks – these refer to the last year that the trees were “de-corked”.
Luci loves getting out and about for a good cycle ride or easy-going walks in the countryside, and thoroughly enjoyed the time she previously spent working for the National Trust. Her love of writing started from a young age and on rainy days nothing beats curling up in a secret corner with a good book.
This advertisement is issued by HPB Management Limited ("HPBM") registered at HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. HPBM is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, issued by HPB Assurance Limited ("HPBA") registered in the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The Trustee of HPB is HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited registered at HSBC House, Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1GT. The Securities Manager is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London, W1H 6LR.
Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies. No medical examination required. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM who will only charge for their services if you invest. HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA.
➤ You will receive our beautiful property portfolio
➤ Our full length DVD introduced by Bondholder & presenter Sue Barker
➤ And a list of forthcoming Open Days and Exhibitions
A. You make an initial payment of anything from £5,000 and pay a quarterly fee of around £30 (that is around £120 a year), linked to RPI. This gives you access to all HPB’s 1,400+ holiday homes.
A. After an initial charge of 25%, it is invested in a fund of holiday properties and securities. The fund itself then meets annual charges of 2.5% and other overheads. The return on your investment is purely in the form of the enjoyment you experience from your holidays. As with most investments, your capital is at risk.
A. For each visit you will pay a no profit user charge, calculated to cover property running and maintenance costs, such as electricity, cleaning, gardening, refurbishment and local taxes and use of on-site facilities but with no profit rental element. The charge stays level throughout the year, so there are no high season premiums. For a studio for two this will average about £300 a week, for a two-bedroom property for four around £460 a week. Larger properties are also available.
A. Yes. You can surrender your investment back to the company after two years or more (subject to deferral in exceptional circumstances) but you will not get back the full amount you invested. What you do get back will reflect the charges referred to earlier, as well as other overheads and changes in the value of the fund’s properties and securities.
A. A large part of the initial charges pays for future marketing of the Bond. The more Bondholders and the more investment we can attract, the more properties the Bond can buy – increasing your choice of holiday. Annual charges go toward the administration of the fund, operating the holiday booking system and providing support to Bondholders, helping you book and enjoy your holidays.
