Hemingford Grey Parish Council Newsletter

October 2020

Car rally attracts record visitors page 14

Notes from the Chair

Welcome to the October edition of the Hemingford Grey Parish Council Newsletter. We’re definitely now starting to say goodbye to summer and hello to Autumn, evidenced by the dew on the grass and cool temperatures most mornings. I hope that many of you managed to get away, and if you didn’t, that you were at least able to enjoy some type of normal over the summer months – “Eat Out to Help Out” certainly provided the opportunity to support some of our local businesses, while the annual Classic Affair event at the Pavilion was well supported.

Sadly, the recent spike in infection rates across the country, shows that we must continue to be vigilant for the foreseeable future. It’s imperative that we all abide by the latest “rule of six” guidelines if we are not to face further restrictions. I’m sure none of us would want a return to lockdown or for the schools, colleges, universities or businesses to have to close again. At the same time, it’s important that as a community we continue to consider how we can assist those who are at greater risk or may be finding the whole situation difficult.

I’m delighted to report that at our September meeting we co-opted Sue Duma on to the Council and we’re aware of at least one other person who is also interested in joining. The good news is that we still have a couple of vacancies, so if you like to get more involved with your community by joining the Council, please contact the Clerk, Robin Waters or me if you’d like to know more.

Finally, with the ongoing restrictions upon public face-to-face meetings and with some residents unable to access our website and social media content, the Council believes that this newsletter is increasingly important in keeping the whole parish up to date with what the Council are doing. We have therefore agreed to publish them on a bi-monthly basis from now on and you can expect the next issue in late November.

Keep safe,

Cllr Richard Allen – Chair, Hemingford Grey Parish Council

2 Parish Council Updates

Where is our Neighbourhood Plan ? An update by Cllrs Anne Meredith and Robin Waters, co-convenors of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group (NPSG)

Every household received an update on the Neighbourhood Plan and a brief questionnaire during March. The questions were very simple and deliberately open-ended. What do you like about Hemingford Grey? What would you like improved? What would you like to see in 10 years time? Unfortunately lockdown intervened and we received responses from less than 20% of households pre-occupied with more urgent matters.

The overwhelming majority of respondents clearly appreciate the parish as it is – both built and natural environments with many commenting favourably on the community spirit, the village facilities and the safety and security that they felt. The most sought-after improvements are, unsurprisingly, for better road safety (potholes, parking and speeding issues) and an enhanced bus service. Thoughts for the future were heavily biased towards the status quo – no change please! Full analysis is now being carried out and the Steering Group with our ACRE consultant will decide on the next steps for consulting with everyone. More specific questions will follow.

Natalie Blaken, our Cambs ACRE consultant, has provided a demographic and socio-economic review of the parish and a planning policy context analysis. These are on the PC website. Post lockdown we have been concentrating on background information for the plan tying in with other parish council projects on the future maintenance of our road verges and an overall environmental policy.

This autumn we will be: • Analysing the survey results and publishing a report • Consulting with local landowners and businesses • Consulting with residents on whether Covid and lockdown have altered their views on the village and parish • Raising the profile of the plan throughout the community. • Recruiting additional volunteers for specific projects and the steering group.

3 • Collecting images of our built-up areas to capture the character and essence of the parish • Developing and maintaining a neighbourhood plan website • Recruiting ‘ambassadors’ for each road and each community organisation in the parish • Developing an image/s that reflect our parish and its ethos

The steering group, composed of residents and parish councillors, needs your help. The neighbourhood plan belongs to all of us and the future of the parish rests in all of our hands.

An extended version of this article is available on the PC website. To find out more about the neighbourhood plan, or receive invitations to attend the Zoom-based meetings of the NPSG, please contact Councillor Robin Waters (contact details on the back page of this Newsletter)

Parish council organises food bank collection by Anne Meredith On Sunday 18 October the parish council is organising a collection of non-perishable foods for the Godmanchester food bank. This will provide vital support to many local households during the pandemic.

We would be delighted to hear from volunteer residents in each road who are willing to collect items, left outside homes in a plastic bag, and deliver them to the collection point in the Reading Room from 11am. Please could donors put a colourful ribbon on their bag so collectors can easily spot it.

You can also take your donation direct to the Reading Room on the High Street from 11am, or ask us for help to transport them. Please contact Councillors Anne Meredith or Janice Flint: contact details on back page

Lockdown’s slower speeds ruined by the reckless few Average daily V85 Max % over 30 Location Month traffic speed speed limit Hemingford Rd Feb/Mar 1747 32 70 23 Hemingford Rd Jun/Jul 813 31 58 19 Marsh Lane Jul/Aug 1266 30 65 15 (The Average Daily Traffic is the total in both directions. The 'V85' speed is the speed under which 85% of the vehicles are travelling and is used for deciding where to put speed restriction or road calming.)

4 It seems everything slowed down during lockdown, even speeding through the village. Both Marsh Lane and Hemingford Road have 30 mph limits, with speed reducing measures already in place. Sadly some drivers are exceeding this speed limit, putting the lives of others, and themselves, at risk.

Road safety has been highlighted by villagers as one of their key concerns (see the Neighbourhood Plan article). We are using the speed sign’s data to help justify the parish council's Local Highways Improvement (LHI) funding bid for a 20 mph speed limit from the school and through the centre of the village.

Marsh Lane gravel extraction resuming by Robin Waters

By the time you read this, Land Logical, which has been awarded the contract by Tarmac, will be gearing up to extract gravel and sand alongside the existing Marsh Lane gravel pits. The parish council has been in contact with Land Logical and Tarmac to ensure they uphold the planning conditions set by the County Council, when permission for mineral extraction was granted some years ago. The parish council has impressed on Land Logical our concerns regarding the impact of this development on the area’s ecology, road safety (particularly the Marsh Lane/A1096 junction and the site entrance itself) and local drainage. We await further details about when this work will begin, and will communicate it as soon as we have it.

Community bulb-planting – Saturday 18 Oct by Janice Flint

Join us to help plant 1000 snowdrop bulbs to brighten up the grass areas on the Yes estate and around the village sign. The aim is to produce stunning annual displays. If you would like to take part, meet at the Yes estate (play area) or at the village sign at 10 am. Please bring a trowel, a bulb planter or small spade, if possible. The parish council has paid for the bulbs.

Community tree-planting – Saturday 28 Nov by Janice Flint

To coincide with National Tree Planting Week (28 Nov-6 Dec) our tree wardens have identified several sites to plant young native trees. This will enhance the greening and landscape of the parish. If you want to help with this parish council-funded project, please meet at the Yes estate (play area) or Daintree Green at 10am, suitably attired! For more information on these initiatives please Walnut tree on Mitchell Close contact: [email protected] or playground [email protected] Check the parish website, social media, and posters nearer the time.

5 Village to explore making the river more accessible

A resident has proposed re-instating a slipway (or extending the current staging) for lightweight craft on the river at the end of the High Street. This will cater for craft such as canoes, kayaks and paddle boards.

The parish council is inviting interested persons or organisations, including the regatta committee, to form a group to plan how local families can make more use of the river. The group will likely consult with the relevant authorities, including the Environment Agency (EA) and District Council (HDC), and, together with a nominated parish councillor, develop, cost and present this plan for consideration by the parish council at the November meeting, when the budget for the next financial year is set.

This 1958 picture of the former Hemingford Grey boathouse shows the slipway that previously existed and functioned until the 1960s. Photograph reproduced by courtesy of the Hemlocs collection

6 Planning committee matters The parish council has no direct planning powers but is consulted by and can make recommendations to District Council (HDC). It’s HDC’s responsibility to inform neighbours of planning applications, but the parish council normally sends councillors to look at the property concerned and call on neighbours to ensure they are aware. Residents are urged to make their own comments on the HDC web site. Outcomes of recent planning applications HDC ref Description PC Rec HDC Dec 18/00824/PMBPA Long Lane Fm – Change of use from agric. building to C3 Request full Unknown dwelling house etc. PA 18/02726/FUL Former car showroom, London Rd, St Ives – development Commented In progress 62 dwellings 19/80044/COND 15 Langley Way – conditional information - materials Noted Unknown 19/01234/S106 YES Estate, London Rd–variatn S106 agreemt-mortgage Commented In progress 19/02280/FUL Land nth of the How – redevelopmt includg new houses Refusal In progress 19/02559/FUL 8 Madeley Court, Sycamore House – replacement of Refusal In progress dwelling with new one FMW/072/19 New Farm, Rideaway, H. Abbotts – changes to conditions Refusal In progress for waste management 20/00285/FUL Vindis site, Low Rd – demolition of structures, erection of Refusal In progress 106 dwellings 20/00375/HHFUL * 9 Gore Tree Rd – addition of first floor accommodatn etc. Supported In progress 20/00216/HHFUL * 26 Weir Rd – extensions ground floor and first floor Objected Approved 20/00569/S73 Ag buildings, Long Lane – variations to condtns 2 and 3 Approval In progress 20/00535/HHFUL 24 Weir Rd – proposed side and rear extension etc Approval Approved 20/00675/FUL 29 High Street (St Francis House) – change of use to form 3 Approval In progress dwellings 20/00546/HHFUL 24 Norman Court – single storey flat roof extension Approval Approved 20/80126/COND Ag buildings, Long Lane (19/01917FUL) – Info re Approval Condition conditions C4 and C6 reply 19/02559/FUL* AMENDED 8 Madeley Court (Sycamore House) – demolition Supported In progress and new dwelling 19/02280/FUL AMENDED Land north of the How – redevelopment Refusal In progress including new houses FMW/072/19 AMENDED New Farm Rideaway-changes to conditions for Refusal In progress waste management 19/02280/FUL AMENDED Land north of the How-redevelopment including Refusal In progress new houses 20/00968/HHFUL 5 De Vere Close-conversion of existing carport for new Approval Approved kitchen &utility 20/00975/HHFUL 38 High Street- erection of corner gazebo Approval In progress 20/0101/HHFUL 7 Norman Court-single storey side and rear extension Approval In progress 20/00909/HHFUL 24a Margetts-small single storey extn to front of dwelling Approval In progress 20/01305/HHFUL* 38 Marsh Lane-Demolition of conservatory, single storey In progress extensions and raise roof height 19/02087/FUL * Waters Edge, Meadow Ln-Variatn of condtn 2 - amend plan In progress

Councillor Robin Waters spoke at the DMC meeting of HDC to object to the amended plans for 19/02280/FUL land north of The How. The committee however voted to approve the application. Due to the lockdown some applications were not considered at a planning committee meeting (identified by *). Instead councillors submitted their opinions on the applications to the Clerk who submitted a response on the council’s behalf, hence the change in wording. Official site visits were not made to the applicant or neighbours. From September a notification sheet will be delivered to applicants and neighbours informing them of applications and how the parish council will consider them: via Zoom or parish councillors submitting individual opinions to the Clerk. The deputy Parish Clerk recommends we do not conduct personal visits.

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Community Matters

Floating pennywort — a growing menace by Tony Jackson

The village is looking for volunteers with their own canoes or kayaks to help extract and continually remove this endemic weed. Left alone it will gradually choke the life and oxygen out of our river.

Floating pennywort is a North American water-weed. Originally imported for pond decoration, it ‘escaped’ into our natural environment at some time in the 1980s. It has expanded through our waterways with remarkable speed, outcompeting our native species for space and nutrition. It has no natural enemies to remove it and can regenerate quickly from a fraction of a leaf. It is damaging the ecology of our waterways and, if uncontrolled, completely cloggs them making the river un- navigable. It is now an increasing threat to our own Great Ouse.

The Environment Agency has recently cleared the river, but it has neither the budget nor the manpower to stay on top of this problem. It is already reappearing along the river. If you stand by the lifebelt on the footpath by the Manor and look across the river, you will see an emergent growth developing among the reeds. Within another couple of weeks, there will be many more such growths.

A group in St Ives has managed to remove a significant amount of the pennywort from their section of the river — pulling it in by hand using a couple of open boats, several two person canoes and an intrepid kayaker! Hand extraction means that the whole plant can usually be removed. If we can follow this lead for our section of the river, the Hemingfords have a real potential to fully control the problem.

Anybody who is at home on water and has (or can access) a small boat or stable canoe and would like to join in setting up a voluntary group would be

8 very welcome. We will also need to access one or two Canadian type two person canoes for volunteers who do not have their own available, so to anybody who has given up paddling but hasn’t found a new home for their canoe (or is happy to lend one!) — we would be delighted to hear from you! Tony and Ann Jackson: [email protected] or phone 01480 700552

Memory Lane and Friendship Group by Esther Harrod Sadly we have had to cancel our events for the rest of 2020 as the majority of our members are vulnerable, being elderly, disabled or suffering from dementia. We feel we cannot re- open the club until early next Spring and even then, that will be with guidance from the government as of course, none of us know what the Covid -19 situation will be at that time.

Our last club meeting was held on 5 March in the Reading Room. We had 32 attendees and it was with great regret we had to close the club. We also cancelled a free river trip scheduled for June aboard the Ladybird moored in Hartford Marina.

The club is a popular place to meet, sing, dance and reminisce for a couple of hours a month and we are optimistic we can safely restart the club to the benefit of our members. Please contact Esther or Steve Herring on 01480 392991 if you would like to become a member of this group next year.

Hemlocs has a new book coming out reports Simon Clemmow

Bridget Flanagan’s latest book, produced by Stuart Harrison and mostly written during lockdown, is about life and times in the Hemingfords. It is called ‘Sketches of Hemingfords’ History’ and is being launched in October. It will be available for sale as a printed publication, as well as being accessible online. There are many historic illustrations of the Hemingfords going back over a century. Please look out for it or contact Hemlocs to buy a copy.

Hemingfords’ Local History Society is keen to recommence its programme of talks as soon as possible (subject to government guidelines), not least to support the pavilion in the efforts it has gone to in reopening the Hayward Hall as an important community facility. Full safety measures are in force, but capacity is fluctuating and limited in order to conform to social distancing guidelines. That means a much-reduced attendance from our usual number, and we have been obliged to implement a first-come-first-served booking system for members only. Unfortunately, no guests or visitors can be accommodated unless spare capacity is available. The speaker at our first

9 meeting on 15 October will be Bridget Flanagan with a talk entitled ‘A Commanding View: the Houses and Gardens of Houghton Hill’.

Although these arrangements are not ideal and might be subject to change over the coming months, Hemlocs is proposing to proceed with its usual programme of monthly talks. Members can look forward to ‘Pye in Cambridge’, ‘Opium Eating in the Fens in the 19th Century’ and ‘Market Towns in Eastern ’. (If you’re not a member, I bet you wish you were now!)

Local resident appears on BBC Look East

Paramedic, Steve Wootley, spotted plants for sale as he drove his ambulance past Fran Williams’ house on the High Street. Their growing friendship resulted in a blossoming wellbeing garden, as featured on BBC TV’s Look East in July. The garden, designed by Fran Williams, is located behind Huntingdon’s ambulance station.

Fran, a former NHS worker Fran Williams appears on BBC Look East wanted to occupy herself during lockdown, as she was not going to be able to help as much as she would have liked! She realised that as spring approached people would need plants for their gardens, and with the garden centres all closed, she decided to set up her plant stall. Several other village gardeners also donated plants for sale, and a total of £300 was raised to give to NHS causes.

£100 went to HemingfordHub which was doing great works in the village and needed funds. A further £100 went to nurses at Addenbrookes for treats such as hand lotion and lip balm. And finally, when paramedic Steve Wootley saw the plant stall, he chatted about the possibility of Fran giving him some advice on a garden he was about to make behind the ambulance station at Huntingdon. She gave Steve some plants, and the resulting garden was funded in part by the final £100. This important cause is close to Fran’s heart.

Steve organised a grand opening at the end of July. Fran went along to see the results and found herself being interviewed by BBC Look East. Fran said: “I wanted to help NHS workers, and this wellbeing garden seemed like a 10 fantastic idea. I have a background in the NHS and without the dedication of NHS workers during the pandemic, we would be in a very different position. I would do anything to help them.”

Reading Room stays closed for now by Janice Flint

The Reading Room’s trustees have decided it should remain closed for the rest of this year due to Covid-19 safeguarding issues. Another trustees’ meeting will be held in November to discuss whether to allow groups to resume gatherings for 2021. We look forward to being able to welcome everybody back, but will not do so until we are confident it is safe to do so.

MGL still planning waste site by Iain Muspratt

Hemingfords Action Group (HAG) is looking to stop the small Astroturf site gaining planning permission from County Council’s planning committee. HAG’s advisors say the proposed change of use to a legal waste management site is not permitted under the current state of planning laws. This will prevent setting a precedent of using the Astroturf land as a legal waste site, making it harder for MGL to argue that a waste management site development would be acceptable for the much larger golf course.

A HAG sub-committee is helping to prepare a proposal for the Hemingford Golf Club to be granted the status of a Community Asset. Also the nearby Hemingford Abotts golf range, shop and conference centre has been leased by American Golf and will reopen with state-of-the-art technology. HAG believes it is in everyone’s interest to support American Golf in this venture.

If you would like to be added to our email list please contact Audra Green at [email protected] We would be pleased to hear from anyone who has experience in local planning and land development matters to help strengthen our board. If you are interested, please email: [email protected]

Scouts cancel this year’s Christmas post by Sarah Andersen

The Scouts would like to thank everyone in the village for their support of the Christmas post in past years. But unfortunately, due to the uncertainty in current circumstances, we will not be running the service in 2020. We are eager to resume in 2021 and hope that this will be possible. Until then, keep well and look after your neighbours.

11 Hub volunteers are really good neighbours by Riva Elliott

HemingfordHub is developing new initiatives as we go into the next stages of helping our community through the winter months. These are based on the results of our recent volunteer survey which demonstrates how committed they are to maintain this strong community spirit. We thank them for their unstinting dedication to those who found it hard to help themselves in trying circumstances. Another survey we conducted with the recipents of volunteer help shows how thankful they are to the volunteers, expressing how reassured they feel in the caring and safe community being created.

HemingfordHub’s good neighbour scheme has come into its own since the summer lockdown. We are recognised by HuntsForum as integral to supporting our local community, and a National Lottery Covid-19 award of £3210 ensures we can carry on supporting our most shielded and isolated residents, while working within government guidelines, currently called the rule of six (where up to six people can gather — but this is subject to change).

Our 140+ local volunteers have been helping more than 300 people with over 2000 errands in the Hemingfords during lockdown. Freedoms to socialise are constantly being evaluated. The Hub has begun hosting socially-distanced tea parties to bring those who were isolated, and quite lonely, to meet up in the pavilion and outdoors. We would like to encourage residents to invite their friends and neighbours who have been isolated to enjoy a cup of tea and piece of cake in their gardens during warmer days — but this is subject to changing guidelines. The Hub provides a subsidy so that you don’t have to pay for the food yourself. Please let us know if you’d like to plan such an event.

We still help those who have restricted lives with their shopping, prescriptions, post, dog-walking, making friendly phone calls, repairing dentures, providing bird seed, lending jigsaws and contacting handymen who can fix broken things ….. you just have to ask. We are always careful to keep a safe distance and wear masks and gloves. Stay safe and stay healthy. T: 07308 035416 E: [email protected] www.hemingfordhub.co.uk

12 Apply to be a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator

We’ve not had an overall Neighbourhood Watch (NW) co-ordinator for over two years, since Esther Harrod held the role. She still offers guidance, but asks if anyone else would like to help. Esther has established links with Sargeant Draper, and the two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in St Ives with responsibility for the village.

Even though our crime rate has lowered, thanks to Esther’s vigilance, we still need that vital soft intelligence to communicate to our community police, and vice versa. We are also looking for more NW street co-ordinators. If you would like to volunteer to be our NW representative, or a street co-ordinator, please contact Esther Harrod who will direct you to carrying on this vital village service: [email protected]

Gritting volunteers wanted

Cambridgeshire County Council is looking for community volunteers to come forward to help with pavement gritting during inclement weather. The parish council asks that anyone interested in getting involved should complete an application form (by 31 October) which can be found at: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/community-gritting- application-form.doc

Hemingford Grey Garden Society by Mike Henderson

The garden society has continued with its policy of communicating with, and helping its members in any way we can. In the last newsletter I mentioned that some members were going to open their gardens under controlled conditions. This raised funds for the society, and gave members the chance to emerge from lockdown to enjoy other members’ gardens during full flower. This worked well. Seven gardens opened over three weeks, usually between 3 and 6 pm in allocated half-hour time slots.

We had an average of 20–25 visitors per garden and made over £300 in voluntary contributions. Everybody gained. Members got out and about, and had the chance to carefully socialise, while the owners socialised too showing off their gardens.

Fran Williams gave two small groups of members a talk and demonstration on cuttings, and Diana Boston offered us the use of the Manor House garden to host a Boston Tea Party. Visitors brought their own food and drink. In total 45 people attended, socially distanced.

13 School report: re-starting after lockdown by Kirsten Marriott

At the start of the new school year Hemingford Grey Primary School staff were overwhelmed by the support from the parent and carer community. The school’s new systems and processes, to safely re-introduce the children into school and back to learning, were well received. Staff are very impressed with the children’s positive attitudes to learning after such a long break.

Out and about Village rallies round to support air ambulance by Hazel Quest

The village raised over £2780 for the Winner of the ‘Favourite Car’ was Magpas air ambulance when it turned out the rare Sunbeam Alpine Special on 5 September for a splendid display of owned by Andy Cook 200 classic cars and 50 motorbikes. Older residents reminisced about their former runabouts, and younger visitors marvelled at the variety of designs and marques once on sale to the general public. There was everything from Ford Anglias and basic Austin Minis to exotic French, Italian, American and classic British vehicles. Thank you to all the participants for making our fifth annual event such an enjoyable day out.

The Cock offers takeaway service

As the summer comes to an end, it’s comforting to know that our local pub is offering to supply their restaurant menus as takeaway.

If you are unable to visit the pub or restaurant for health or safety reasons, and have an internet connection, you can order your meal online. Visit: www.cambscuisine.orderswift.com If you’re not connected up to the web, then just call 01480 463609, and order by phone.

14 Use Dews bus services and stay Covid safe

Please make use of this service on Mondays and Fridays to get into St Ives. Remember to wear a face mask, gloves and carry some hand sanitiser. Please sit two meters, or six feet, apart and avoid contact with others in the street. And when entering shops pay attention to their safety procedures. Also never enter anyone’s home who does not live in your immediate ‘bubble’ of safe contacts.

Newly-planted NWR tree survives a battering by Christine Batter

The late August storms blew down an ancient ash tree on Vicarage Fields. But the newly-planted National Womens’ Register (NWR) flowering cherry tree, which had only just had it’s inaugural plaque ceremony held the week before, survived. Somehow the plucky little tree avoided two enormous branches falling on it. Linda Dampney and Christine Batter, pictured, said, ‘We’re so pleased our tree escaped destruction by the bad weather and the fallen ash.’

Flowering cherry before the storm And after the storm

FloweringFlow Cherry tree Before

Covid douses fireworks display by Andy Ward

As chair of the Fireworks in Hemingford committee I have to announce that, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and government guidelines, we have made the decision to cancel the fireworks event due to be held 7 November. We hope to return with a spectacular display on 6 November 2021.

15 Hemingford Grey Parish Council

Parish Council meetings are normally held on the second Monday of each month in the Reading Room, although they are currently being run online. Dates for our next meetings are as follows:

Main parish council (including planning) 7.30pm 10 Nov/8 Dec

Our agendas are posted on the website, village notice boards, and at the village store. Information is also available on our social media pages:

Website: www.hemingfordgreyparishcouncil.gov.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/hemingfordgreypc Twitter: www.twitter.com/hemgreypc

Parish councillors: Richard Allen (Chair) Maristowe, London Road 494783 Doug Dew 4 Weir Road 469814 Susan Duma The Grange, 1b Hemingford Rd 469795 Riva Elliott 38 Church Street 494142 Janice Flint 30 Marsh Lane 07816 438765 Sarah Jakes Meadow View, 99 London Rd 466813 Anne Meredith 18 De Vere Close 465774 Tim Puttick 3 Skylark Place 509481 Mark Sheridan 1 Burlington Way 07885 277698 Robin Waters (Vice-chair) 18 Hemingford Road 07833 901680

All our councillors can be emailed using the following format: [email protected]

Parish Clerk: Gail Stoehr, 30 West Drive, Highfields, Caldecote, CB23 7NY Tel: 01954 210241 Email: [email protected]

Editor: Riva Elliott Sub-editor: Richard Allen Webmaster: Kim Loader

The next edition of the newsletter will be out in November 2020

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