Oracle September 2020 by Oracle Publications

February 2018 September 2020

Your all-seeing local

ORACLE OR CLE Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, Garrison, Thorpe Bay, Southchurch, Shoeburyness, Leigh, Chalkwell, Westcliff the Garrison & Shoeburyness & Southend Conservation Area

NEW LETTERS PAGE! Residents have their say! 2020 PHOTO COMPETITON! Oracle announces winners! COMPETITION! WIN 6 weeks of unlimited classes at Mayura Yoga! LOCAL ISSUES! Thank you from Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity

IS YOUR CHILD READY FOR SCHOOL?

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Oracle photo competition 2020 entry - Beach Huts by Holly Rogers (Aged 12)

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September 2020

ORACLE

WELCOME

Another selection of outstanding imagery for this year’s Photographic Competition! I don’t know how Keith at Picture Perfect was able to choose the winners as there were so many fabulous shots. You can see this year’s winners and their images on pages 32 & 33. For those of you who didn’t manage to scoop the main prize for each category, there is still the opportunity of seeing your image in print on the front cover during the coming year. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to enter, I always enjoy looking at your photos.

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Due to popular demand and new to this month’s magazine, Oracle is featuring a local residents letter page. If you'd like to have a letter printed on any issue you wish to bring to people’s attention or you may just have something you want to share with the local community, then please feel free to contact me. This month’s competition is from Mayura Yoga Studio. They are offering 6 WEEKS of unlimited access to all classes of YOGA, PILATES, TAI CHI and MEDITATION both in studio and livestream. The value of this would normally be £127.50! To enter Oracle/Mayura competition please go online to oraclepublications.co.uk and visit the competition page, giving your name and contact details, the closing date is 30 September 2020. Good luck and be safe!

170 The Broadway Thorpe Bay SS1 3ES

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01702 393838 Oracle House, 11 Clarence Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1AN

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All All rights rights reserved. reserved. No No part part of of Oracle Oracle Publications Publications UK UK Ltd Ltd may may be be reproduced reproduced or or used used in in any any form form or or by by any any means means either either wholly wholly or or in in part without prior permission of the publisher. Oracle Publications part without prior permission of the publisher. Oracle Publications UK UK Ltd Ltd is is editorially editorially autonomous autonomous and and the the opinions opinions expressed expressed are are not not those those of of the the publisher publisher unless unless expressly expressly stated. stated.

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September 2020

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SECAT is committed to safeguarding the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will be subject to an enhanced disclosure check from the Disclosure and Barring Service and a Right to Work in the UK check.

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September 2020

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ichelle Elliott-Britto Interiors is an established home furnishing company that has roots spanning 20 years in the industry and a deep passion for meeting client expectations. We are located in Southend-onsea and serve Essex, Suffolk, London, and the surrounding areas, with projects varying in scope.

What we do

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September 2020

Thank you from Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity

LOCAL ISSUES

id and South Essex Hospitals

care for patients.

Charity would like to say a huge

- Wellbeing resources to help alleviate stress

thank you to the population of

for people while working under constant

Essex for the support they have shown our

pressure; including PTSD support.

organisations over the last few months.

- Establishing fully equipped staff rest areas

Inundated with support

as places for people to take a break during

We have been inundated with support from

periods of intensive work and ensure they are

the community which is heart-warming to

not too tired to drive home.

see. Your kind contributions, both financial

- The provision of alternative transport to work

and kind gifts, have supported our staff and

such as taxi or a minibus if public transport is

patients at Basildon, Broomfield and Southend

not available.

Hospitals through this challenging time.

- Care packages for patients including

The money raised through our COVID19

toiletries, puzzle/colouring books and dignity

Rapid Response Appeal was in place to help

clothing.

assist wherever the need was greatest and is

- Communication aids, such as tablet devices

currently funding projects such as:

and top-up mobile phones to support patient

- Care packages to provide snacks and

mental health during isolation by enabling

toiletries for teams as they work intensively to

virtual contact with loved-ones.

September 2020

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- Creation and re-design of a woodland retreat

received – from local garden centres donating

and memorial gardens for our staff.

plants for the memorial garden, to food parcels

Working around the clock

from other local businesses. We’d like to thank

During this critical time, NHS staff at Basildon,

our community supporters and also local

Broomfield and Southend Hospitals are

businesses across the region for their generous

working around the clock to look after patients

donations, which has highlighted people’s

in their care. As a team working alongside

appreciation and shown our staff just how much

our colleagues in the hospital, MSE Hospitals

they are valued by the local community.”

Charity can make sure items of greatest need

The charity is now shifting its focus back to

are purchased and are safely distributed.

supporting services right across the hospitals

On behalf of our staff and patients, we thank

that need help to fund state-of-the-art

you for your support; every contribution is

equipment or vital patient improvement

greatly appreciated

projects. Donations can be made to support

Lucy Thomas Clayton, Charity Director of

the group or to any specific ward, department

Mid & South Essex Hospitals Charity, said:

or appeal of the donor’s choice.

“We’ve received some fantastic support from

We are also looking for volunteers to help out

NHS Charities Together which has enabled us

at our hospitals who are under the age of 65

to develop a woodland retreat and memorial

and in good health.

gardens for our staff over our three hospitals. Alongside some small gifts; such as hand creams and teddy bears – big or small everything we

If you would like to discuss how you can get involved or make a donation please call the charity head office on: 01702 385 337.

have received truly has made a difference. We rely heavily on public donations to allow us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

to continue our work within the community.

Charity Head Office: 01702 385337

During the last few months our service has been

Charity Head Office, Southend University Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-onSea, Essex SS0 0RY

put under more pressure than ever before, but we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve 10

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September 2020

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Anxiety and Depression:

Are you getting effective help or just treating the symptoms?

any people experience stress, anxiety or depression at some point in their life.

Statistically 20% of the UK population is suffering from anxiety and/or depression at any given point in time. Research says that 90% of people who receive treatment for anxiety or depression will be prescribed medication and/ or a talking therapy which is normally designed to focus on, and continually analyse the issue and underlying causes and triggers. It has been shown that medication can be an important help to many and as part of a solution can work very well. Often clients who have been prescribed anti-depressants by their GP are able to use it as a bolster to start their journey back to good mental health, where they are able to start to move forwards towards a preferred future. In other cases, it appears that these medications may relieve the symptoms but seldom address the underlying issues that inhibit progress. Due to the extensive waiting lists for Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), these mental health conditions linger and become impounded when further stresses and anxieties emerge escalating the condition and symptoms. However, only a small minority appear to be able to find any long term solution through the NHS provided services. Sadly, although there is this great awareness that the NHS are unable to cope with a limited amount of patients with mental health problems

and people are waiting many months before they are offered any help other than antidepressants. It appears these medicines can be addictive and people can become very dependant on them and believe that they cannot function without them so there is an even longer process to be weened off them if at all. If you would like to be free of feeling stressed, anxious or depressed why not call me today I mainly use Brain Working Recursive Therapy (BWRT) (see my BWRT page), a very fast, powerful effective therapy which focuses directly on the anxiety/stress or cause of depression that needs addressing and removing the negative emotion attached to it. Call or email me today and book either a telephone or one to one free half an hour assessment. I also carry out therapy via Zoom, Skype and FaceTime. Jacqui Sayer-Noble on 07717856999 or at Jacqui@jsntherapies.co.uk. At JSN therapies we specialise in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD regain their life back.

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September 2020

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September 2020

to park! Why not introduce Park and Ride? There are heaps of fields outside Southend on the A127 and with the help of a bus lane into Southend for the weekends only, would I feel work well, easing the roads of traffic for the local residents. The buses could drop the visitors to the top of the High Street which would make it necessary to walk through the market stalls down to the seafront. To me, it seems pointless that the Council spent huge sums on making the pavements pretty in the side streets, to walk through to the High

LETTERS PAGE

Street, to then be confronted by closed up

SUPPORT OUR HIGH STREET

to look at the pavement, do they?

shops!!! I don’t think people come to Southend

have worked as a market trader and I always found that a healthy High Street has a healthy market, unfortunately this is not the

case for Southend: Half a dozen lap Layard stalls. On speaking to some of the traders it appears the rents are extortionate and some days their takings don’t even cover their rent! I would like to propose something radical, make the market stalls free in exchange for a guaranteed number of days trading per year, say 45 or whatever agreement can be reached. This will not affect the shops as they too could have their own stalls under the same terms. Why not have some fresh fish stalls, meat stalls, none of which is available in the town centre. The circle in the middle of the High Street could be given over to buskers, even give a small stipend to some of the better ones.

A lifeline we should grasp

Primark are spending huge sums on the old BHS building; M&S have decided to stay along with Debenhams. The fact that they are still here is a lifeline we should grasp, let’s find them lots of customers! A good High Street may attract even more retailers, maybe even John Lewis. Let’s make Southend London’s playground, Fun-on-Sea! John Loveday - Local Resident

WHAT ON EARTH HAS HAPPENED?

have been visiting Southend/Westcliff in the last few days and we were thinking of moving there, until i visited Southend

High Street. It was so awful that we got back in our car and drove somewhere else. What on earth has happened to a once very smart place to shop? I include Hamlet Court Road and London Road. You have so many talented

Park and ride

people living around, so why not offer them

I am sure you have noticed the misery on the

shop space for nothing for a year to see

faces of drivers, with carloads of kids, driving

how they do, and then negotiate rents/rates

around at weekends looking for somewhere

the following year? This is what they do in

September 2020

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LETTERS PAGE CONT. America. You have to encourage people back to open their own businesses and bring in zero tolerance and clean up the streets as it was done in New York.

big bulky items. Take them home. Dispose of them responsibly! Not only are they unsightly; they pose a risk to the wildlife. We have also noticed a marked increase in the amount of fly-tipping around here. Some desperate locals have started putting up signs asking fly-tippers

Jacqueline Howard - Wannabe resident

not to just come into our streets and dump

LITTER & FLY TIPPING IN SOUTHEND

announced as one of the first choices for

their unwanted trash! Southend was recently

yself and my husband moved to the

stay-cationers no longer travelling abroad for

Westcliff area almost two years ago.

their holidays because of Covid19. Admittedly

We have found it a charming place

though, many of these out-of-towners then

to live and the locals are very friendly and

go home leaving tons of rubbish behind! If we

accommodating. We have found the area a

are to maintain the popularity of Southend,

joy to wander, but feel that fly-tipping and

Westcliff, Leigh and Thorpe Bay then more has

dumped litter is blighting it.

to be done to keep it looking its best. I am not

Since it became mandatory to wear facemasks

sure how it could be policed, but there has got

in shops, it is appalling how many are just left lying about in the street. They are not

to be a way. Let's keep Southend beautiful! Jilly Henderson-Long - Local Resident

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September 2020

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HAIR & BEAUTY

What’s behind the mask?

eaders with slightly exotic musical tastes

Unless you’re wearing a ‘statement’ face covering,

may remember a band called The Cramps. I

all the focus on your face will be your eyes, so it’s a

was reminded of the psychobilly pioneers’

great opportunity to amp-up this part of your beauty

track ‘What’s Behind the Mask?’ while shopping,

regime. Whether you adopt brightly-coloured

surrounded by fellow customers – thankfully – also

eyeliner and shadow or go for the classic, vamp look

wearing face coverings.

of smoky eyes and statement lashes, now is a great

On a hot, muggy day the experience of going about

time to have fun and be daringly creative.

your business in a mask is not entirely pleasant, and

Maintain your mask

for those who have to wear one for long periods of

This last point leads me to remind you that should

time, I have heard of a new skin condition, ‘maskne’.

wash and change your mask as often you do your

To avoid this and make the most of however long we have to cover up for, I pondered what changes should be made to skincare and make-up routines.

Your morning routine In the morning, using a gentle cleanser, hydrating toner, light serum or gel moisturizer will get your skin off to a positive start. Make sure you apply products with skin-soothing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe, and niacinamide (AKA Vitamin B3) but make sure you wait at least five minutes before donning your mask, to allow them to absorb into your skin.

smalls. Re-wearing a mask effectively reintroduces pre-existing dirt and oil that’s trapped in and on the surface of the fabric. Ideally, wash your mask at the highest recommended temperature that the material can cope with and use fragrance-free detergent – because the scent can be an irritant once it is washed into the mask. If they are available, buy masks made from soft fabrics, as this eases friction and mitigates the cloying feeling of thicker materials. Popping a cooling mist spray into your bag is a handy way to alleviate any irritation, especially if you need a little spritz during a prolonged time of

Foundation

wearing a mask, such as commuting to work.

If you can, drop the foundation. However, if you must wear it, switch to a lighter formula and only apply it to the areas above the line of the mask.

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September 2020

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Calm at Leigh Creek - by Andrew Sutcliffe 2020 Competition Entry

Photographic Competition Winners 2020

SPOTLIGHT

The Oracle Photographic Competition 2020 is over and the standard again this year has been even more amazing than last year! Expert adjudicator, Keith Hoskins of Picture Perfect photographic studio, offers feedback on his chosen fewâ&#x20AC;&#x2030;â&#x20AC;Ś

A wet robin by Javier Fernandez - Wildlife Winner

Dragonfly Shoeburyness Gunners park by Philip Young - Wildlife Commended

Oh how I wish this scene was in my garden. Great composition and exposure with a sharp image of the Robin giving the 'aah' factor. I'd be happy to have shot this.

I'm amazed how sharp this is! I'd love to know how long it took to capture this beautiful shot with a great bokeh background.

Rage in Flight by Phil Wingfield - Architecture Commended Great composition and exposure of a much photographed icon of the seafront. Beautiful vivid colours too.

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September 2020

Fisherman's Co-Operative by Mark Prior - Architecture Winner I love to see photographs in areas I know well but didn't spot 'the shot'. This is one of those and combines good composition with interesting tones and textures. I see something new each time I look.

Old and New by Adrian Fox - Landscape Winner The use of a very long lens or maybe a closer up shot using a phone creates a haze effect that is particularly pleasing. I love the cropping into a panorama and the almost monotone allows the viewer to concentrate on the subject. I'd have this on my wall!

Priory Park Sunrays with Peppa by Philip Young - Landscape Commended Made me laugh - in a good way. The dog, waiting for the next command or maybe a ball throw, makes a lovely scene into a 'keeper'.

We had a huge amount of entrees this year and the standard was superb. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who entered and although you may not have been a winner, you still may see your image in print within Oracle during the coming year. If you would like to view all of the photographs submitted for this year's Photographic Competition, please visit our website. Until next time, Emma.

Keith Hoskins Photography SWPP/BPPA NPS Multi Award Winner

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FOOD

Self-Saucing Chocolate Orange pudding

his is an intense chocolatey orange sponge with the magic of a gooey sauce at the bottom once it's cooked. Good

with ice cream or cream. Enjoy!

Ingredients 100g/3 ½ oz butter, melted, plus a little extra for the dish 250g/9oz self-raising flour 140g/4 ½ oz caster sugar 50g/2oz cocoa 1 tsp baking powder zest and juice 1 orange 3 eggs 150ml/ ¼ pt milk 100g/3 ½ oz orange milk chocolate or milk chocolate, broken into chunks single cream or ice cream, to serve

For the sauce

Method

Butter a 2-litre baking dish and heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the kettle on. Put the flour, caster sugar, 50g cocoa, baking powder, orange zest and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the orange juice and any pulp left in the juicer, the eggs, melted butter and milk, then pour onto the dry ingredients and mix together until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chunks and scrape everything into the baking dish. Mix 300ml boiling water from the kettle with the sugar and cocoa for the sauce, then pour this all over the pudding batter – don’t worry, it will look very strange at this stage! Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 30 mins until the surface looks firm, risen and crisp. As you scoop spoonfuls into serving bowls, you should find a glossy, rich chocolate sauce underneath the sponge. Eat immediately with vanilla ice cream or single cream.

200g/7oz light muscovado sugar

by Judy Barden

25g/1oz cocoa

Next month: Chicken, Bacon and Potato Braise

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September 2020

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September 2020

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MONEY MATTERS

Three tips to secure your financial future

he impact of the pandemic has been

get your finances back on track and provide

widespread. People, businesses, and

some protection from the ebbs and flows of

economies have all been hard hit. The

the markets over time.

road to recovery is likely to be bumpy for all. But what does this mean for our pensions and investments? What can we do right now to safeguard our financial future?

Firstly, keep calm and take the long view

Secondly, consider whether your nest egg is

diversified enough

A mix of investments such as cash, bonds, and equities, typically offer the best protection against the downs and ups of the market. By also looking at industrial sectors and

Remind yourself of your goals. Why are you

geographical regions, you can further diversify

saving and what is it for? When are you

your risk and returns. Positioning your nest

likely to need to draw an income or utilise

egg to benefit from a range of investment

the funds? For those with time on their side,

returns can help it withstand shocks. For

history shows that markets typically rebound,

example, you could add funds that are

given time. Although there may be further

designed to minimise downside risk such

bumps ahead, cashing in your investments

as absolute return funds. Or increase your

during a downturn will cement losses on those

exposure to corporate bonds and gilts. If

that have fallen without giving them time to

you are unsure about doing this yourself, an

recover. Also, if you have been making regular

adviser can help you build a portfolio with

contributions to your investments try to

a broad spread of investments to suit your

continue doing so to benefit from compound

appetite for risk. Many advisers also have

interest, pound-cost averaging, and long-term

ready-made portfolios suitable for a range of

returns. These factors will gradually help to

risk profiles that can help you get started.

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September 2020

Thirdly, make the most of your tax allowances You can place your investments in taxefficient wrappers such as ISAs and personal pensions to benefit from tax-free income and gains, which could build a substantial investment pot over time. Personal pensions are particularly effective at growing a longterm nest egg as you can benefit from tax

the underlying asset.

relief at your marginal rate. This can mean

Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. While we believe it to be correct at the time of writing, Brewin Dolphin is not a tax adviser and tax law is subject to frequent change. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances; therefore, you should not rely on this information without seeking professional advice from a qualified tax adviser.

an extra 20-45% boost to your ring-fenced pension savings. If you still feel that you are not on track you can seek help If you are unsure about your next steps and would like some expert help, an adviser specialising in long-term saving can help you

The information contained in this document is believed to be reliable and accurate, but without further investigation cannot be warranted as to accuracy or completeness.

plan ahead. Understanding your appetite for risk and your target retirement date, can enable you to make the best decisions today to safeguard your financial future. The value of investments and any income from them can fall and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a guide to future performance and performance. Opinions expressed in this document are not necessarily the views held throughout Brewin Dolphin Ltd. This information is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. No investment is suitable in all cases and if you have any doubts as to an investmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitability then you should contact us. If you invest in currencies other than your own, fluctuations in currency value will mean that the value of your investment will move independently of

Brewin Dolphin 020 3201 3900 www.brewin.co.uk September 2020

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ESTATE PLANNING

Is a Will enough to protect your Inheritance?

ithout the correct "Bloodline

want them to receive and at the same time,

Planning" some, or all of your

protect the family home and other assets from

children's or grandchildren's

being lost to the costs of Long Term Care.

(bloodline's) inheritance could be lost.

How can I protect my children's inheritance?

Friendly and professional service When estate planning, it is important that you can rely on the adviser that you choose to put

Protecting your inheritance for future

your trust in. Oracle Estate Planning offers

generations is commonly referred to as

a friendly and professional estate planning

"Bloodline Planning".

service, including Will Writing, Lasting

Bloodline Planning is ensuring that your assets

Powers of Attorneys, Trusts, Probate and

reach your children, grandchildren and other

Funeral Plans.

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hands!

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When assets are distributed to beneficiaries

possible advice at the time you need it most.

"absolutely", (i.e. they receive cash, property

So, don't leave it too late â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to arrange an

or other assets as a direct lump sum payment) so much can be lost. These assets are then considered to be part of the beneficiaries estate and would be at risk of attack from any future divorce settlements, creditors and

informal chat or meeting (we are fully Covid compliant), or for any further information or advice, please feel free to contact me on 01702 393838.

taxation.

Trusts The strategic use of Trusts can ensure that your children and grandchildren are able to benefit completely from the inheritance you 48

Clive Rowe Oracle Estate Planning in association with Countrywide SE LLP

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September 2020

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September 2020

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A LOCAL PLUMBER FOR LOCAL PEOPLE 53

On the Rising Tide - Richard Swinscoe Photographic competition 2020 entry

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WIND

SUDOKU – Enter numbers

REED

WORD LADDER – Climb the ladder, changing one letter each rung to make a new word.

into the blank spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

CONUNDRUM – Unscramble to solve the clue.

L W

Clue: Personal ornaments, that are typically made from or contain jewels/precious metal.

Last month’s solutions: WORD LADDER –

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September 2020

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