BANK of Ireland cleared another hurdle in its bid to take over the Bristol and West building society this week and its share price jumped too, reflecting the market's appreciation of the £600 million deal. B & W members showed overwhelming approval but some of the tiny minority who attended the meeting had plenty to say.

The meeting was held in the Royal Bath & West of England Showgrounds. As pig slurry scented the air around Shepton Mallet in deepest Somerset, one member said she'd never heard of Bank of Ireland. She tried to ring Belfast to find out where the headquarters were, she told chairman Lord Armstrong of Ilminister. Oh dear!