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LOVE LIFE LOVE A guide for professionals and their families relocating AND BATH to Bristol & Bath If you are thinking of relocating to our region we can offer a variety of client services to suit your needs. Contact us to find out how we can help you: Invest Bristol & Bath WELCOME TO THE Email [email protected] Telephone 01174 286 211 BRISTOL AND BATH Website www.bristolandbath.co.uk Social @investbrisbath REGION

The Bristol and Bath region is home to 1.1 million residents and comprises Bristol, Bath and North East , and South . It is a hugely diverse region where stimulating urban living sits comfortably alongside rolling countryside, spectacular coastlines and heritage stretching back thousands of years.

1 So many diverse places are accessible from here. You’ve got beautiful Bath, 1 HR 23 MINS BY TRAIN chic Bristol and coastal towns like Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon. If it’s countryside you’re after, head into the villages of and the for green spaces and historic market towns. GLOUCESTER LONDON HEATHROW HEATHROW LONDON 1 HR BY TRAIN

CARDIFF AIRPORT

BRISTOL WESTON-SUPER-MARE BATH

EXETER

2 3 CONTENTS CITY, COAST AND COUNTRY

BEST FOR CULTURAL HOUSING: TOWN A* EDUCATION GETTING THERE EXQUISITE COMMUNITIES DOING QUALITY OF LIFE HOTSPOT OR COUNTRYSIDE? FASTER SHOPPING BUSINESS Home to the UK’s top From harbourside gigs Designer waterside Schools and employers Flights to 100+ Quirky independents Diverse communities A guide to our city in the ‘quality of to heavenly choirs apartments, smart are joining forces to destinations, bike mingle with major and support networks business sectors life’ index townhouses and secure jobs for all lanes aplenty and a stores and street for all country residences super-fast electrified markets rail line to London

PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE Cubex 4 6 8 12 18 22 24 26 28 5 QUALITY OF LIFE BRISTOL IS A TEST BED WORK-LIFE BALANCE FEWER THAN ONE IN FOUR FOR 5G PEOPLE IN THE REGION WORK TECH NATION 2017 45+ HRS A WEEK MOST PRODUCTIVE WEST CORE REGION BRISTOL HAS SUSTAINED ECONOMIC BRISTOL - BEST GROWTH OUTSTRIPPING LONDON AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES AND EVEN HAS BRISTOL PLACE TO LIVE UK’S LEADER IN ITS OWN CURRENCY TO HELP BUILD A SMART CITIES STRONGER LOCAL ECONOMY (SUNDAY TIMES 2017) IS BEST (HUAWEI 2017) The quality of life here is excellent. It’s really only second to London for things to do but we don’t have the crowds of the capital. There are lots of restaurants and cafés and LOWER-COST HOUSING for the children you can find free play ideas and interactive A HOUSE IN THE REGION COSTS exhibitions at places such as MShed; Bristol Museum and UNESCO CITY LESS THAN HALF THAT OF Art Gallery and the many family friendly events in the area. A LONDON ABODE We love Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery and Holburne Museum BATH IS THE ONLY and going for long family rambles across the spectacular country estate of Park. BRITISH CITY WITH UNESCO WORLD

This area consistently tops the ‘best quality are areas of outstanding natural beauty HERITAGE STATUS COOLEST CITY: of life’ polls. Most recently voted “Best place dotting the , the Mendip UNESCO CITY OF to live” in the Sunday Times list (2017) it has Hills and along into the Cotswolds Area also outstripped London with its “Smart City” of Outstanding Natural Beauty. CREATIVE FILM BRISTOL VOTED NO 1 credentials and economic growth (Huawei Bristol and Bath have a growing foodie Report 2017). With houses across all price BRISTOL GAINED THIS BY ROUGH GUIDES scene supported by an area that is home points, abundant job opportunities, quality to award winning vineyards, cider makers, CYCLE HUB: schools and access to the countryside and ACCOLADE IN 2017 (2017) micro breweries, cheese makers, organic WITH LINKS TO THE coast, the region has clear advantages over growers and producers. other major UK city regions. WIDER REGION, In both South Gloucestershire and North BRISTOL IS THE UK’S Heritage and entertainment are powerful draws: Somerset you will find outdoor pursuits, FIRST CYCLING CITY Bristol is well known for its trendy art spaces good walking, a plethora of parks and and interactive exhibitions and Bath for its estates and beaches both large and small. packed festival calendar, independent shops and iconic attractions. Wherever you go in the region our built environment is complemented by The natural environment is preserved open spaces, cycle paths, waterways www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk--39320118 with pride too: beyond the urban centres www.roughguides.com/article/why-bristol-is-the-coolest-city-in-britain/ and woodland. www.uswitch.com/place-to-live/bath-north-east-somerset-north-somerset-south-gloucestershire/ www.zoopla.co.uk 6 visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/sports-and-adventure/cycling 7 CULTURE AND LEISURE Bristol boasts the region’s most varied nightlife with tucked-away speakeasies such as Hausbar and Hyde & Co and the mega Motion nightclub, with live bands at Bristol. Bath also has a vibrant nightlife with entertainment to suit all tastes. Not only are there a number of independent bars, gig venues and nightclubs, the city’s reputation as a foodie heaven is evident in the wealth of restaurants to be found nestled in the city’s lanes and squares. West End-quality productions regularly visit Theatre Royal Bath along with and . More intimate experimental works come CULTURE courtesy of Bristol’s Theatre; Old Market Assembly; the harbourside centre and Komedia in Bath. Those craving the fresh ocean air should head to Portishead Quays Marina — one of the South West’s best equipped marinas — or zip down the coast for the beaches of Weston-super-Mare, Sand Bay or Brean. Alternatively, keep it inland, and explore the CLUB market towns of Thornbury and , Thornbury Castle, the grand estate of Dyrham Park, Tyntesfield and the wild Leigh Woods. Offering everything from A great day out is Slimbridge WWT situated in pleasant countryside and giving access to conservation and international music festivals wildlife. The area has an abundance of cycle ways linking our cities, countryside and rich heritage – the Bristol to Bath cycle way, Colliers Way, Strawberry to cutting-edge theatre, Line and Festival Way.

The region is perfect for those looking for an active On top of a thriving music, events and festivals it’s impossible to be idle lifestyle – climbing in the , mountain programme, Bristol and Bath is home to a number biking in Leigh Woods, dingy sailing and windsurfing of award winning restaurants, bars and independent in the West of England. at Lake, sand yachting and kite surfing coffee shops, from the UK Barista Champion at at Weston-super-Mare, gig rowing at Clevedon and Colonna & Smalls in Bath, to the best flat white at Bristol Harbourside, cruising from Portishead, or Society Café. walking in the ample countryside. Bristol is the birthplace of Pieminister with a number Nothing captures the region’s spirit better than its of locations across the region including The Raven in numerous festivals, celebrating jazz and blues, film Bath (where you can’t go wrong with a Beef & Raven and animation, literature, food and folk, green living, Ale pie). If you fancy something a bit more artisan you’ll nautical capers and its iconic hot-air balloons at the find queues around the corner at Hart’s Bakery for their annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta. daily sourdough and for a bit of history why not grab a Quality of life is important to residents in Bristol and Bath Bun at Sally Lunns. Bath and having a wide range of leisure centres, For dinner head to Wapping Wharf where you’ll find activity classes and outdoor pursuits will allow anyone a variety of pop-up eateries with offerings from Italy, who lives here the opportunity to live well and excel Greece, the Caribbean and India. Special occasion? in life outside of the office. The region is home to four Michelin starred restaurants – Casamia, The Pony & Trap, Paco Tapas and Wilks, finally to cap off the evening you can head to Bristol’s prohibition bar the Milk Thistle (if you Arcadia Spectacular Arcadia produced by and Love and Team the photographer can find it). 8 9 CULTURE AND LEISURE

FESTIVAL ART AND SPECTACLES THE GREAT LIVING SPORTS AND FUN INTERACTION AND SHOWS OUTDOORS HISTORY LEISURE CENTRES

> Bath Fringe > Arnolfini > Bristol Hippodrome > Bath Skyline Walk > Museum > > Bath Film Festival > Fashion Museum > Bristol Old Vic > Cheddar Gorge > Valley Railway > Badminton Horse Trials > Bath Festival (multi-arts) > Holburne Museum > > Chew Magna > Berkeley Castle > Bath Racecourse > > Jane Austen Centre > Bristol Aquarium > Chew Valley lake > Brunel’s SS Great Britain > Bath Rugby Recreation Ground > Bristol International Balloon Fiesta > MShed > Colston Hall > Clevedon > Dyrham Park > Bloc Bristol > Bristol Jazz & Blues Festival > Royal West of England Academy (RWA) > Noah’s Ark Farm Park > Clifton Suspension Bridge > Roman Baths > Bristol and Clifton Golf Club > Children’s Bath Literature Festival > The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery > Puxton Park > Leigh Woods > Royal Crescent and Circus > Leisure Centres throughout > Great Bath Feast > > Theatre Royal Bath > Mendip Hills and Cotswolds, AONBs > Thornbury Castle the region > HazyDayz Music Festival > The Playhouse Theatre > Mendip Snowsport Centre > Tyntesfield > Memorial Stadium > Made in North Somerset Festival in Weston-Super-Mare > Slimbridge Wildfowl > Portishead Quays Marina > Royal Bath and West Show > The Blakehay Theatre & Wetlands Centre > River Swimming Club, in Weston-Super-Mare Farleigh Hungerford > The Downs Festival > Westonbirt Arboretum > Various city farm parks > Thermae Bath Spa > Three Choirs Festival > Weston Bike Race > Wild Place & Camp Baboon > Undercover Rock > Weston-super-Mare Sand > Weston-super-Mare’s Sculpture Festival Grand Pier

108 119 WHERE TO LIVE

BUZZY CITIES AND BLUE SKIES

City or village? Countryside Bristol is a big city with a huge Bath offers an unbeatable lifestyle If you’re keen on beachside living with amount going on but it’s also combining cultural and sporting quick links to Bristol and Bath, then or coast? Suburban or small enough to be personal excellence, breath-taking architecture, Weston-super-Mare is the North and accessible. Most people health spas, independent shops, markets, Somerset town for you. Tranquillity, central? Few regions offer think about the city centre bars and eateries all in a remarkable fresh sea air, a plethora of cafes, and Clifton when they think countryside setting. restaurants and pubs, windsurfing and a family-friendly beach await. such a wide choice of where of Bristol but the outer suburbs To the west lies the vibrant metropolis are great too. There are leafy of Bristol, with its bright lights, theatres Venture beyond the cities to find glorious to live, all within an easy parks, independent shops and galleries, restaurants, bars and a open countryside, tucked-away villages and nice boutique restaurants packed calendar of festivals, gigs and and miles of stunning coastline ushering commute to work. celebrations. Choose this vibrant post- the down to and and bars. industrial Victorian city to find the zeitgeist. the coast.

12 13 WHERE TO LIVE

BRISTOL BATH NORTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

The West of England’s largest city is a multicultural Bath is such a unique and desirable place that it is the only WESTON-SUPER-MARE From the many market towns through to the historic buildings hub steeped in maritime history and home to a thriving city in the UK to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage If you’re keen on beachside living with quick links to Bristol and and the bountiful countryside, South Gloucestershire has plenty contemporary music and arts scene. Amid the cafés, Site. It is a wonderfully walkable and friendly place with all Bath, then this North Somerset town is for you. Tranquillity, fresh to offer its residents. Being ideally placed within a short distance, restaurants, nightclubs, galleries, museums, the trappings and facilities of a much larger city. Its wealth sea air, a plethora of cafes, restaurants and pubs, windsurfing to Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds people can reap the benefits halls, theatres and sports stadiums, the city manages of culture, boutique shops, restaurants and sporting and a family-friendly beach await. of both country and city living. to retain a laid-back, friendly feel. opportunities combined with excellent schools and great family neighbourhoods, makes Bath a prime location. PORTISHEAD This coastal town overlooks the Severn estuary and is a magnet for the active and adventurous. At just under ten miles west of Bristol, it’s home to a marina and sports complex and is surrounded by scenic hotspots, trails and coastal paths. THERE’S A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE... 14 15 WHERE TO LIVE

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES (Data from Rightmove 2018)

LONDON BRISTOL HOW MUCH FOR A HOME? £730,736 £301,874 BRIGHTON £402,512 £327,548

HOUSES TO BUY FLATS TO BUY FLATS TO RENT (PM) (3 BED) (2 BED) (2 BED/FURNISHED) £208,214

£650k

£450k £430k £430k £415k £375k £345k £375k £390k £340k £340k £330k £305k £305k £327k £300k £290k £295k £270k £216k £250k £200k £250k £225k £195k £185k £150k £157k £1,300 £1,300 £1,250 £1,300 £1,100 £950 £975 £1,100 £900 £1000 £850 £850 £700 £1,050 Clifton and Montpelier and Cotham/Redland Southville/ Bath Bath Oldfield Weston- Portishead Thornbury Downend Harbourside St Andrews/ Bedminster Park super-Mare Bishopston 16 17 Note: All prices are approximate at the time of print. EDUCATION 6 TEACHING EXCELLENCE FRAMEWORK AWARDS INCLUDE TWO GOLD AND FOUR SILVER AWARDS FOR THE HIGH QUALITY 100% OF TEACHING ON OFFER AT OUR BRISTOL AND BATH UNIVERSITIES AND AT TWO OF NORTH SOMERSET OUR FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGES WITHIN THE REGION HAS ONLY GOOD TOP SGS COLLEGE WAS VOTED OR OUTSTANDING NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP 90% COLLEGE OF THE YEAR 2017 THE SOUTH WEST HAS THE COUNTRY’S SCHOOLS HIGHEST PROPORTION OF GOOD OR OUTSTANDING SCHOOLS OUTSIDE LONDON TOP 100 OF THE OUR FOUR UNIVERSITIES ARE 100% RANKED IN THE TOP 100 IN THE UK OF PUPILS OBTAIN 5 A*-C GCSES 8850 AT BRISTOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL WITH APPRENTICESHIPS STARTED 2015/16 57% OF WEST OF ENGLAND PUPILS ACHIEVING WITHIN THE REGION. 2292 APPRENTICESHIPS 5 A*-C AT GCSE INCLUDING DELIVERED IN THE PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH AND MATHS SERVICES SECTOR WITH 50% AT CLASS UWE HAS THE HIGHEST GRADUATE RETENTION RATE ADVANCED AND HIGHER LEVEL This region offers some of the best schools, academies, colleges, universities and job prospects 1ST in the country. The range and quality of educational 11TH options in this region is excellent. The Bristol and WESTON COLLEGE RATED BATH UNIVERSITY RANKED Bath region has the country’s highest proportion of 'OUTSTANDING' BY OFSTED 11TH IN THE UK good or outstanding schools outside London and the trend is more than ever for schools to connect with future employment opportunities. Bristol became England’s first UNESCO Learning City in March 2016, joining a global network of like-minded cities championing learning as a way to transform lives, TOP 100 communities, organisations and cities. Critically, educational establishments and employers are 4 NATIONALLY RECOGNISED INDEPENDENT WINTER GARDENS LAW AND OF OUR PRIMARY collaborating; creating plentiful employment SCHOOLS FOR THE BEST 2017 A LEVEL RESULTS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACADEMY SCHOOLS ARE RANKED opportunities for college leavers and graduates. WITHIN BRISTOL AND BATH IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE AMONGST THE BEST IN 95% The region also has an ambitious apprenticeship ENGLAND, ALL IN THE plan as part of the Government’s Apprenticeship THE SOUTH WEST HAS THE TOP 500 OF THE SUNDAY COUNTRY’S HIGHEST PROPORTION Vision 2020, to suit those who want a career led TIMES LIST FOR 2017 path straight from school. OF GOOD OR OUTSTANDING EARLY YEARS PROVISION

18 19 5 EDUCATION SECONDARY SCHOOLS

STATE / ACADEMY INDEPENDENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SCHOOLS MAKING › BEECHEN CLIFF SCHOOL › ASHWICKE HALL SCHOOL › BRISTOL METROPOLITAN › BADMINTON SCHOOL ACADEMY › BRISTOL GRAMMAR SCHOOL › BRISTOL TECHNOLOGY AND › CLIFTON COLLEGE ENGINEERING ACADEMY › IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL › COLSTON’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL › KING EDWARD’S SCHOOL THE › DIGITECH STUDIO SCHOOL › MONKTON SENIOR SCHOOL › HAYESFIELD GIRLS › PRIOR PARK COLLEGE PRIMARY › MANGOTSFIELD SCHOOL › REDMAIDS › NORTON HILL ACADEMY › TOCKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL SCHOOLS › RALPH ALLEN GRADE › SCHOOL ›  AND Find out more about state TOP STATE PRIMARY PREP SCHOOLS TEMPLE SCHOOL SCHOOLS * › CLIFTON COLLEGE › THE CASTLE SCHOOL and independent schools, › BISHOP ROAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL* FURTHER colleges and universities PRIMARY SCHOOL › KINGSWOOD PREP › ELMLEA JUNIOR SCHOOL › KING EDWARDS SCHOOL across the region. › HOLY TRINITY PRIMARY › THE ROYAL HIGH SCHOOL BATH EDUCATION SCHOOL › TOCKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL › MARSHFIELD C OF E VC COLLEGES INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS PRIMARY SCHOOL › COLLEGE › ASHWICKE HALL SCHOOL › SANDFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL › CITY OF BRISTOL COLLEGE › IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL › SS PETER AND PAUL RC › TOCKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL › CITY OF BATH COLLEGE › VICTORIA PARK › SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE INDEPENDENT PRIMARY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE FURTHER EDUCATION › WAYCROFT ACADEMY › TRINITY COLLEGE BRISTOL › WESTON COLLEGE › BATH STUDIO SCHOOL › WATERMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL › BOOMSATSUMA UNIVERSITIES › DEVELOP ME › DB MUSIC AND SOUND › BATH SPA UNIVERSITY › DIGILOCAL › UNIVERSITY OF BATH › DIGITECH STUDIO SCHOOL › UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL › MAYDEN ACADEMY › UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND

20 * As listed in the Sunday Times 2017 21 TRANSPORT BETTER CONNECTED

100+ 4 £2bn 99 mins £230m

On transport, we’re spoilt for Planes, boats, buses, trains and bikes — A brand new dedicated bus network flights per day and motorways investment Bristol-London choice. Buses crisscross the this region is home to an integrated web is about to be launched across the of transport options for city, town and city and region. MetroBus will connect a growing list of affording fast in upgrading by train with a MetroBus transport region and there are excellent country dwellers alike. suburban housing in the Greater Bristol destinations from access to all the rail-link 15 minutes service upgrade rail connections between Bristol Airport UK regions to London frequency Bristol Airport now connects to more area with the vibrant city centre, making Weston-super-Mare, , than 100 destinations, taking passengers sure there is plenty of opportunity for Gloucester, Chippenham, throughout the UK, Europe, the US, work/life balance. The system will also Bristol, Bath and beyond. Canada and Africa. link to existing bus routes and to the rail networks. Bristol Airport allows you The region is also a busy rail hub, with fast to connect to European connections to Manchester, Birmingham, Green options are plentiful too thanks to , the South West and beyond. an expanding network of urban and rural hotspots for city breaks and cycleways, city ferry services and the leisurely beach holidays. Electrification of the London line through Bath to Bristol Parkway and onto South ability to use the bus networks to travel is slashing journey times by at least across the whole of the West of England. 15 minutes. 22 23 SHOPPING RETAIL SHOPPING HOTSPOTS PARADISE There is great shopping here in the region. Bath is such a historic, beautiful and pedestrian-friendly city, it’s a pleasure to shop there. Visit the fabulous department store, Jolly’s, and the unique shops of Cheap Street for jewellery, children’s clothes and gifts. In Bristol, it’s easy to access and , vast shopping centres where you get everything under one roof. If you’re looking for antiques, head into the Gloucestershire countryside for the pretty market towns of , Stroud and .

With its stylish department stores, inspiring boutiques and eclectic street markets, this region can satisfy the pangs of the most dedicated shopper. Bath is a showcase of independent retail: from high-end boutiques, to Walcot Street’s artisan quarter and the city’s Vintage and Antiques Market and farmers’ markets. If you want to upcycle there are plenty of opportunities to do that too, with reclamation yards and furniture projects dotted throughout the region. Bristol wheels out the big guns in the shape of Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and IKEA — all easily accessed by car — but also ANTIQUES MAJOR INDEPENDENT MARKETS excels at markets: try St Nicholas for artisan cheese, textiles and vintage records and Corn St and Wine St for farmers’ & VINTAGE MALLS HUBS produce and handcrafted jewellery. Gloucester Road and Park Street offer a range of independent boutiques and shopping experiences, through to Wapping 19 ALEXANDRA ROAD CABOT CIRCUS BATH ARTISAN QUARTER ARTISAN AND FOODIE Wharf, Bristol’s newest district and a hub of independent LOOT VINTAGE SOUTHGATE BATH BATH CITY CENTRE FARMERS MARKETS businesses in shipping containers close to the harbour. BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET Head deep into the countryside to find modern craft, LORFORDS THE MALL – CLIFTON VILLAGE antiques, curios and farm shops selling fresh produce VINTAGE TO VOGUE CRIBBS CAUSEWAY GLOUCESTER ROAD AND INDEPENDENT FARMERS straight off the land. Alternatively potter in the market STOKES CROFT – BRISTOL MARKETS

towns and villages for one-off purchases, the bijou Cubex and the boutique. WAPPING WHARF ST NICHOLAS MARKET 24 BID Bath 25 COMMUNITY

Bristol and Bath is truly a multicultural city region, home to a number of communities and places of worship which cater for a wide variety of faiths and beliefs. Diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of Bristol. The city is home to 92 languages; our vision is to make this diversity work for everyone, where no-one is left behind and where our cultural offer A CELEBRATION reflects this diversity and enriches the lives of all. Bristol holds a unique event each year to celebrate our diverse culture: Diverse Doors Open Day. Organised by the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, it gives communities the chance to experience each other’s cultures and learn about each other’s beliefs by opening a range of places of worship to discover OF DIVERSITY the many faith communities that exist in Bristol. 26 27 Bristol and Bath is one of the UK’s HIGH-TECH TOP EMPLOYERS A significant digital tech cluster most balanced and successful combining international giants, such as Huawei and Oracle, with a fast growing economies, with a population of cohort of start-ups and digital agencies, using new technologies to generate 1.1 million people and a workforce new platforms, new user experiences of over 600,000. It contributes and new business models. £33.2bn to the UK economy. FINANCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DOING With its sophisticated financial services It has an advanced business infrastructure and ecosystem, proximity to London and a huge talent pool which is educated far above international markets and highly skilled the national average with a significantly higher talent base, the Bristol and Bath city region has the edge. No surprise that employment rate than any other major English big players such as Lloyds, Hargreaves city. It is the most productive of all the core cities. Lansdown and NatWest have based BUSINESS themselves in the region. This highly skilled, diverse workforce contributes to a thriving and extensive connected business DIGITAL AND CREATIVE base of over 42,000 businesses. A sector of scale and international reach, with 130 production companies offering award-winning quality and a substantial creative talent pool, spanning genres from animation to factual and natural history to entertainment. AEROSPACE AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING The South West region hosts one of the largest and most significant aerospace clusters in the world, comprising of a supply chain of 800 plus companies. Supporting 98,000 jobs, it contributes £3.2bn to the South West economy.

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