Look Local Magazine - Weybridge

LookLocal February 2017

Weybridge

Your award-winning local community magazine

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EDITOR

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19

Contents

8 10

14 16 19 24 26 28 30 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38

WHAT’S COOKING? ASK BRUCE Read Bruce’s column about letting a rescue dog off the lead.

COMPETITION TIME AUNTIE PLANTY PRINCESS GRACE CROSSWORD PUZZLE ST JOHN CHARITY TREK ELMBRIDGE VOLUNTEERS SUDOKU & WHAT WORD CONTACTLESS PARKING MUSIC MATTERS WHAT’S ON See what’s on in and around Weybridge in February INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS INSPIRATION COLUMN PORSCHE CAR REVIEW PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

Happy New Year, Weybridge!

We are delighted to be back after our festive break and looking forward to the year ahead. I hope your New Year has got off to a good start?

How many of you, I wonder, took part in the national Dry January?

I did for the first time this year and I was delighted to say I managed it without too much trouble. The only time I really fancied a drink was on my son’s 18th birthday, but I resisted and we will raise a glass together on 1st February! Maybe he will take me out to the pub!

We seem to have an action-packed start to the year, with lots of interesting bits and pieces for you to read about. Our main feature this month is a wonderful story from local man, Phil Stafford, who tells us about the most amazing boat restoration project that you could ever imagine! The end result is quite astounding, what an achievement.

We also hear about a big challenge being taken on by a local lady to raise £4000 for St John Ambulance. What a great charity that is. And we have two brilliant competitions this month too: here are chances to win a signed autobiography by Ian Hutchinson &/or tickets for a fantastic show at Epsom Playhouse.

I hope you have a romantic Valentine’s Day and that you manage to keep your pancakes off the floor on 28th!

Wishing you a great month, take care until next time…

Ros

x

Ros Thomas Editor

Next copyDEADLINE

5th February 2017 for the March 2017 issue phone us 01372 200 000 email us ros@looklocalmagazine.co.uk visit us online www.looklocalmagazine.co.uk like us on Facebook /looklocalmags follow us on Twitter @LooklocalMags

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Chicken

TIKKA

PANCAKES WITH MANGO CHUTNEY

Get adventurous this Shrove Tuesday by making spiced pancakes. If you have young children, take some of the heat out by swapping the chilli for chopped chives or coriander

Low Fat Preparation Time:30 mins Cooking Time:20mins Recipe reproduced by kind permission of Waitrose.

Over 5,000 recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes

INGREDIENTS 125g plain flour 1 medium Waitrose British Blacktail Free Range Egg 300ml semi-skimmed milk 1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 1 tsp ground cumin 2 tbsp sunflower oil 2 x 300g packs Waitrose British Chicken Breast Chunks In A Spiced Tikka Marinade 4 salad onions, sliced 4 tbsp Geeta’s Premium Mango Chutney 4 tbsp low fat Greek yogurt

METHOD 1. Sift the flour & a pinch of salt together into a bowl.

Make a well in the centre & add the egg & half the milk.

Whisk together well then stir in the rest of the milk to make a smooth batter. Stir in the chilli & cumin, set for 30mins.

2. Reserve 1 tbsp of the oil, then heat a little of the remaining oil in an 18cm pancake pan or shallow frying pan & add a ladleful of the batter. Swirl it around the pan & cook for 1–2mins each side until golden. Transfer to a plate & keep warm. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make 8 pancakes, keeping them warm, separated with sheets of kitchen paper.

3. Heat the rest of the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan & cook the chicken for 10-12mins, turning occasionally, until cooked through with no pink meat. Divide the chicken between the pancakes, putting it on one quarter of the pancake, & top with the salad onions, mango chutney and yogurt. Fold up the pancakes to make parcels, & serve.

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ASK BRUCE:

LETTING GO...

Reader Andrea Hughes, who has recently adopted an eight-month-old mixed breed Romanian rescue dog, explains that, although he’s settling in well, she hasn’t let him off the lead yet when out walking, as she’s worried he’ll run off. Andrea asks: how do I know when the time is right?

Firstly, congratulations and well done on taking on a rescue dog. It’s always great to give a dog a second chance and it sounds like he’s found a wonderful, loving home.

As with all puppies, it’s best not to let them off the lead until you are familiar with one another, have established a relationship and know that your dog is friendly and social with other people and dogs.

A long training lead is a great place to start with offlead and recall training. This allows your dog to feel as though he’s off the lead while still being safely attached.

To establish recall, use dog treats or toys and encourage him to come back to you. Once you’re comfortable this is working, let go of the training lead so that it trails behind him and continue the recall exercises. If his recall isn’t 100%, the lead will make it easier to get hold of him without you needing to get right to him. If he continues to shine, you can then let him off the lead.

Good luck!

Bruce Casalis is director & founder of Bruce’s Doggy Day Care, a multi-award winning business in Weybridge.

Do you have any dog training or canine behavioural questions which you would like to ask Bruce? Send your questions to :-

ros@looklocalmagazine.co.uk

Then check out this column each month for Bruce’s answers.

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MAKING

Making YOUR YOUR Money Work Harder M O N E Y W O R K

Elaine & Keith Jones run the Weybridge oce of TaxAssist Accountants. Each issue, Elaine Elaine & Keith Jones run the Weybridge office of provides advice on a recent change in tax law, TaxAssist Accountants. Each issue, Elaine provides or addresses a topical financial issue. advice on a recent change in tax law, or addresses a Car benefit changes topical financial issue.2013/14 Q: Can you summarise what the changes toIscompany car and van benefits are from this HMRC text genuine?

6 April 2013 please? have already filled my tax return, but : I 6th A: From the April 2013:

Q

yesterday, I received a text from HMRC,

Company cars saying I needed to pay my tax. Is it genuine?

• The car fuel benefit charge multiplier will to betosuspicious. : You’re increase from right £20,200 £21,100 There are a lot

A

of scam emails and text messages out there,

• The lower threshold will be from particularly claiming to reduced be from HM Revenue 120g/km & toCustoms 115g/km(HMRC).

If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a • The lowest appropriate percentages are still communication, not cent give out private information 0 per cent anddo5 per (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages,

• The 10 per cent charge now apply to cars download attachments or clickwill on any links in emails. with CO2 emissions of 76g/km to 94g/km Instead, forward suspicious:

· text messages topercentage 60599 (text messages will be charged • The appropriate will increase by at your network rate) 1 per cent for all vehicles with CO2 emissions · emails to HMRC’s phishing team phishing@hmrc. between 95g/km and 215g/km, to a gsi.gov.uk cent guidance on recognising maximum of 35 perHMRC’s You should also check

scams if you’re not sure.

Vans

Please note, HMRC will never use texts or emails to:

• The van fuel benefit charge multiplier will · tell you about a tax rebate or penalty increase from £550 £564information · ask for personal or to payment

HMRC will is never provide link to a secure log• The vanemails benefit frozen at a£3,000 in page or a form asking for information. Instead, you’ll

The rules and implications of company be asked to log on to your online account to check for vehicles are far reaching, so you would be information. advised to seek professional advice from However, you should be aware that HMRC has your recently local before acquiring a beenTaxAssist sending outAccountant email and text reminders to taxpayers, new vehicle. advising them to pay their tax before 31st January 2017.

H A R D E R

Leasing a car Q: If I lease a car in the name of my personal they are simply a prompt. company, dotoyou If you have tax pay, have you canany findrecommendations out about the different the taxonburden to keepmethods payment HMRC’sdown? website here: https://www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill A: Firstly, if the car triggers a benefit in kind, then you will always be better o looking for accounts aTax-free vehiclechildcare with low CO2 emissions, as this will result in aCould loweryou cartellbenefit percentage and me more about these tax-free : thereforechildcare a lower accounts personalthat tax liability for are replacingyou. the current childcare voucher scheme, please?

Furthermore, you should also be aware that if the car has emissions over 130g/km, it is childcare were announced likely: thatNew 15%tax-free of the leaseaccounts payments will be in 2014 to replace the employer-provided disallowed for corporation tax purposes. If childcare voucher scheme. Introduction has the emissions are below this level, the entire been delayed but the new accounts should at last be lease payments be tax introduced on a trial should basis in early 2017.deductible.

The new scheme Emailing P60swill then be rolled out across the country, based the results of the paperless, trial. The rulescan are complex, but Q: Toon keep my oce I send my where both parents at least £115 per week, employees theirwork P60and viaearn email? they will be able to put up to £8,000 a year into a special A: Sincewhich 2010/11, form P60will cantop beupprovided account the Government with 20p for either oncontributed paper orbyelectronically, but you every 80p the parents. This account can only should confirm with your that they be used to pay for childcare, suchemployees as nursery fees. are to receive electronically.

It ishappy anticipated that thetheir newP60 scheme will eventually replacesta the existing childcare voucher schemetowhich is only access secure Your will need to have available totoemployees work for organisations that facilities view andwho print a copy.

If they prefer offer such schemes.

The new system will benefit the selfnot to receive their P60 electronically, then you employed, as wellthem as those workers organisations that must provide with a hardincopy as normal. currently do not provide childcare vouchers.

Contact Elaine Jones ACMA AFTA Contact Elaine ACMA on: 01932 850Jones 600 or

by AFTA email: weybridge@taxassist.co.uk on: 01932 850 600 or by email: weybridge@taxassist.co.uk

Q A

The texts and emails do not provide any details though,

Disclaimer - adviceshared shared in in this this column column isisintended rather than advise.

Taxpayer’s circumstances do vary do andvary if you feelifthe Disclaimer – advice intendedtotoinform inform rather than advise.

Taxpayer’s circumstances and you provided is beneficial importantitthat you contactthat us before implmentation.

If you take, or do not If take result feelinformation that the information provideditisisbeneficial is important you contact us before implementation. youaction take,asora do not take a result ofbefore reading this column, before receiving our written weforwill responsibility for of action readingas this column, receiving our written endorsement, we will acceptendorsement, no responsibilty anyaccept fiancialno loss incurred. any financial loss incurred.

18

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The Book Review

Hutchy:Miracle Man THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY

David Kid Jensen gives us his thoughts on this action-packed autobiography and the men behind the book... one of whom is our very own motor head, Ted Macauley.

I

f you are a motorcycle racing fan, this is a mustread book. With a man like Ted Macauley involved, you just know it will be great: a former Motor Race Journalist of the Year, Ted was also awarded the RAC’s Segrave Medal for his involvement in Mike Hailwood’s amazing comeback win at the IoM –TT. He is also the author of 15 books.

This book is full of amazing facts and tales, with a foreword

by Valentino Rossi and the magic combination of Ian Hutchinson himself and Ted. Together, they tell Hutchy’s amazing story. A winning combination.

David Kid Jensen kindly gives us his thoughts on this action-packed autobiography and the men behind the book …

I’ve known our very own Ted Macauley a long time, in fact, since sharing office space with him at the Daily Mirror back in the early 70s when the paper really was legendary. I wrote about music and Ted motoring matters, so no change there then, although I am a bit of a motor racing fan myself: 2 or 4 wheels I don’t mind, and I even ran my own racing teams in F3000 and F Opel in the past.

So it didn’t take long for me to realise that Ted was the ‘goto guy’ if I wanted to know what was really going on in the paddock. He was also a bit of a star spotter and he loved the actual business of the sport. So I was delighted when he asked me to take a look at this great book.

When Ted first told me about the talents of TT Rider Ian ‘Hutchy’ Hutchinson, even back then, I was keen hear more. The thing is, TT racing takes a special kind of racer: it’s a brave man who races like Hutchy, so I was sure this would be a very interesting read.

In 2010, Ian crashed heavily on the track at Silverstone and was hit by another competitor’s machine, breaking his left leg so badly that surgeons were even discussing amputation. After many operations and a long period of recovery, he fractured the same leg again when back on the track in 2012. Seriously bad luck.

14 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

If you ever wondered just who and why anyone would be willing to race and risk so much, this book will take you behind the scenes and into the heart of the action.

This newly-released autobiography is less a diary of smashes and crashes, and more a true tale of heroics, strength and stoicism.

Ted became Hutchy’s collaborator and close friend.

Hutchy would become known far and wide as ‘The Bingley Bullet’, the ‘Miracle Man’ with an impressive list of racing conquests to his name. There’s no doubt that Hutchy would become one of the most successful motorcyclists ever. He has sped from victory to victory, despite a number of big obstacles along the way, and his life has certainly been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, which characterise a truly extraordinary career.

This lovely book captures it all, a highly recommended read. Get your copy on amazon.co.uk or have a go at winning one here!

We are delighted to bring you an exclusive Look Local competition!

Here’s your chance to win a copy of this great new book, signed not only by our very own motor head, Ted Macauley, but also by Ian ‘Hutchy’ Hutchinson, the man himself!

The question you need to answer for a chance to win is this:-

In the summer of 2010, ‘Hutchy’ set the record for the most wins ever in a single TT festival. How many wins was that?

Send your answers and contact details to ros@looklocalmagazine.co.uk before 1st March for a chance to win. Good luck to all who enter!

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Auntie Planty

Forced bulbs...

If you have been lucky enough to have been given a pot of sweet-smelling bulbs spring for Christmas, you may be wondering what you can do with them, now that they have faded. Here are a few tips.

T

hink of it this way: your plant has flowered its little head off for you and it will be exhausted. If you want to keep it going for another year, you must give it adequate rest. As soon as the flowers have keeled over or are otherwise showing signs of old age, snip them off so that the plant will not waste any more energy by trying to produce seed.

Removing the dead flowers is one thing, but do not under any circumstances cut back the leaves at this early stage. You should try to let the green foliage to die back naturally, a process which should take around four weeks.

Also, avoid the urge to tidy up bulbs by tying up the leaves with string or rubber bands, as some suggest.

This four week leaf die-back time is a critical work period for leaves busy with photosynthesis (the process by which leaves combine chlorophyl and sunshine into the starches that

recharge the bulb with food for next year’s blooms). The leaves must also be free to soak up sunshine during this crucial period.

If dying foliage offends the eye in your sitting room, then the best solution is to remove the pot to a less public but equally well-lit place. Put the plant on a sunny window sill and water when the top few centimetres of compost are dry to the touch. You could also give the plant an occasional feed with liquid tomato food.

After the four week period is up, it’s definitely time to cut back the foliage and to allow the plant to rest fully.

It is possible to replant some forced bulbs outdoors after they bloom indoors, but not all. For example, bulbs such as crocuses and daffodils which are good at naturalizing, generally do well planted out after forcing. Tulips and paperwhite narcissi, on the other hand, do not readily come back, even when originally planted in the garden in

the first place. The latter should be enjoyed during their initial indoor flowering and then composted or tossed out.

If you’re planning to shower your friends with sweet-smelling bulbs for next year, remember that you’ll need to start preparations around September time. The exact timings for hyacinths will vary according to the cultivar, but do make sure that the bulbs are labelled ‘prepared’. Daffodils are also planted in September, and good quality bulbs should normally flower in six to ten weeks of planting.

Valerie Munro is a chartered horticulturist. She offers unique and personal tuition sessions, explaining the whys and wherefores of good gardening techniques in your own garden. www.auntieplanty.co.uk © 2017 Valerie McBride-Munro

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Princess Grace THE STORY

This amazing story really caught my eye. I hope you enjoy reading about local man Phil Stafford’s amazing achievement, as he tells us here about his once-in-a-life time restoration project!

Against everything everyone will tell you, the quickest way to lose a fortune is to restore a boat, especially a wooden boat, especially a 100 year old wooden boat. Especially your very first 100 year old wooden boat. However, it was love at first sight. She was dying and I wanted to save

her. She could barely stay afloat. I was convinced at the time the only reason she didn`t sink was because she was in shallow water and sat on the mud. Nonetheless, she was bought for ÂŁ30k without a survey. Not just maybe insane, but tick all the boxes insanely insane.

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 19

A little bit of history Initially named La Falaise, she is a 60 ft long, 11 ft wide, 6 beam twin screw motor yacht, built in 1923 from the finest Burmese teak on English oak-framed carvel constructed. She is copper-sheathed from the keel up to the waterline & displaces 38 tonnes. She was built for a very wealthy Scottish businessman in 1923 by Alexander Robertson, a famous boat builder of the time, based on the Clyde. She cost ÂŁ4,999, 17 shillings and sixpence. Her infant years must have been a real joy, cruising the seas and lochs of Scotland. However, this would be short-lived, as she was commissioned by Her Majesty`s Royal Navy during the Second World War where she went onto clandestine operations with the SAS in Scandinavia. Having been captured and scuttled by the Nazis, she was refloated by the Royal Navy and fitted with two 5.8 litre Gardner diesel engines around 1947, replacing the paraffin steam engine. After the climax of the war, she went on to deliver post and cattle up to the Shetland Isles from Edinburgh for 15 years.

20 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

After this, she was sold back into private ownership, at one stage taken across the English Channel, where for some time she cruised the canals of Europe, eventually returning to London on the River Thames where she was at some point bought by the family of Sir Alec Guinness.

She even had a group of squatters living aboard her at one point.

Where to start in restoring a potentially beautiful classic twin screw motor yacht?

Initially, my thoughts were to attempt a simple cosmetic low-cost improvement project which would take around 6 months to complete. It was decided from the onset that she would be sailed down to the Medway in Kent where the drydocks were more affordable. So, work began by stripping out the whole of the interior in order to see what was needed to restore her to her former self.

It soon became very clear this was not going to be a simple cosmetic ÂŁ20k refit.

My idea to recreate something with panache, class, style and beauty which would lend itself to my ideas

of cruising and cooking for just four discerning guests plus two crew would prove to be an incredibly daunting task. Everything had to be stripped from the basic hull and either refurbished or replaced. All the ballast was removed, cleaned and repainted. Fuel tanks were cleaned out, new fuel lines and pumps fitted, as were the cutless glands on the prop shafts, and the propellers reground and balanced. A bank of 8 new deep cell batteries were fitted. Two 1000 ltr water tanks were fitted. The task of stripping all the old paint from the hull single-handed was daunting to say the very least. The toxins in the old paint took their toll and put me in A&E on 3 occasions, not to mention the cuts, bruises and fractured ribs. At one point, realizing the enormous task I had taken on was starting to overcome my determination to complete the project. However, this was short-lived and what to me seemed a snail’s pace of progress, others thought was huge progress. When it comes to this level of restoration, or in my case a complete rebuild, the finances simply disappear. BOAT is an abbreviation for bung on another

thousand.

Eighteen months since the purchase, from the logistical point of view it was decided to complete the works back in London on the Thames, so on a clear calm day, we ventured from the Medway up the estuary back to her old mooring. Over the following 12 months, she began to look increasingly more beautiful. New double glazing units throughout the salon, air conditioning, desalination plant, solar panels, new generator, new saniflow fittings and showers were fitted to new bathrooms, new plumbing and central heating system, complete new 12, 24, and 240 volt wiring system installed, all new furnishings, including a Yamaha digital piano were fitted into the salon in an art deco style. The galley was state of the art which had to double up as a cocktail bar with every conceivable appliance, more than capable of providing the level of cuisine needed. This also gave access to the al fresco roof terrace with newly furnished seating. All the original brass portholes and scuttles had been stripped of paint polished, lacquered

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 21

Princess Grace THE STORY

and baked and refitted.

Another 12 months on, she is now beginning to look seriously beautiful, with so much attention to detail that everyone comments on her wellbeing.

There is barely a day goes by without someone stopping by and commenting on how beautiful she looks. I am incredibly proud of the way she is approaching completion. In terms of costs, excluding my 15,000 hours time, a figure of close to ÂŁ280k has been spent on the restoration, plus the initial ÂŁ30k purchase price. Because of the high profile I have achieved, I have chosen not to charter her. Instead, I intend to sail her this forthcoming spring to southern France, where I will offer something unique in a private members cruising club for just 15 members worldwide and their friends or family. The cruise will begin in Northern Italy, where we will explore this majestic coastline, travelling westward and finishing in St. Tropez, my idea being that I will offer Michelin-styled food and wine on board one of the most beautiful boutique motor yachts afloat. Designed as a sea-going vessel, she is more than capable of cruising both the Mediterranean and inland waterways of Europe. The Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival, Saint Tropez, Nice Jazz Festival to name just a few possible ports of interest.

For further details, kindly visit us online at:

www.princessgracecruises.com

VOLUNTEER ESHER 2017

Supporting local people facing life-threatening illness The Brigitte Trust offers a free volunteer service of emotional support and practical help at home. Practical issues like driving, shopping and getting to hospital for treatment can sometimes be hard to manage, and our volunteers can make a real difference. Weekly visits help build up a relationship with patient and carer, offering respite, company and time to listen to the feelings and concerns serious illness brings. Volunteers, who should be drivers, are invited to join our friendly and supportive team.

Join our next volunteer taster sessions - Call us today on 01306 881816 and view our new volunteer videos at wwww.brigittetrust.org

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 23

February Puzzles

Crossword puzzle Clue: 14 Across

Clue: 27 Across

Clue: 15 Down

across

1. Ploy (6) 4. Requiring secret knowledge (6) 9. Disapproves (7) 10. Angry (5) 11. Land measure (4) 12. Perplexing (8) 14. Disney cartoon character (5) 16. Mournful poem (5) 20. Scorn (8) 21. Fencing sword (4) 24. Female relative (5) 25. Pills (7) 26. Unmarried (6) 27. Precious stones (6)

24 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

down

1. Worldwide (6) 2. US military officer (5) 3. Unit of length (4) 5. Precipitation (8) 6. Astounding (7) 7. Come out into view (6) 8. Ordinary (5) 13. Celestial (8) 15. Lamp (7) 17. Parts of a play (6) 18. Catches sight of (5) 19. Creatures (6) 22. Fragment (5) 23. Woodwind instrument (4)

Clue: 23 Down

solutions page 37

Competition Time

Matt Monro

Matt Monro One Voice - a celebration of one of the world’s biggest selling artists of all time with Matt Monro Jr.

M

ATT MONRO can arguably lay claim to being Britain’s biggest musical export of all time. Indeed, he is still hailed as the biggest nonHispanic artist in the world.

The man dubbed “The singer’s singer” and “The man with the golden voice” clocked up a staggering 100 million sales in his lifetime.

He was the first singer ever to sing on a James Bond film (From Russia With Love) and he contributed the score to that best loved of films, The Italian Job. In the Philippines alone, his version of My Way sold 8 million copies, outselling Sinatra’s by a country mile Frank sold a mere 300,000. Beatlemania had nothing on his reception over there (and even today, his son still receives a hero’s welcome).

Produced throughout his career by Sir George Martin, in the 1960s and 70s Matt Monro’s hits encompassed some of the greatest popular music ever. From Russia With Love, The Impossible Dream, Portrait Of My Love, Softly As I Leave You, Walk Away, My Kind Of Girl, Yesterday, Gonna Build A Mountain…. just some of the songs that made him a household name. And then, of course, there was Born Free.

Born Free was the song that firmly established Matt Monro in the hearts of the young and the old alike. Its opening notes forever conjured up a time and place African plains, endangered lions, the film with actress Virginia McKenna… the smooth mellifluous voice of Matt became synonymous with Born Free and the song was, and still is, a hugely iconic song in Africa.

Now Matt Monro Jr pays tribute to his legendary father with a new CD, A Father’s Legacy, and a new show, The Matt Monro Story: One Voice. Encapsulating not just the story of his dad’s rags-to-riches life, it gives a unique insight into the man himself.

The journey of this boy, who couldn’t read or write and yet had to support his family, is told in loving detail by his son, giving a glimpse into what it was like growing up in the Monro household. Video clips, home movies,

even sequences where Matt Jr duets with his dad, all play a part in this celebration of the life and legacy of Matt Monro.

Informative, entertaining and hugely enjoyable, this is one big event not to be missed. Running from February 4th to April 29th 2017, The Matt Monro Story plays 35 shows across the UK. Tickets are on sale now from all usual venues, priced at £21. Shows start at 7.30pm.

Saturday 4th February - Richmond Theatre 0844 871 7651 Sunday 19th February - Hawth Theatre, Crawley 01293 553 636 Thurs 16th March - The Playhouse Theatre, Epsom 01372 742 555 Monday 27th March - Theatre Royal, Brighton 0844 871 7650

COMPETITION

Answer the following question for the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Epsom performance on Thursday16th March 2017:

Complete the name of this Matt Munro hit...

Born ... A) Free B) Wild C) Too Late Please email your answer to ros@looklocalmagazine.co.uk with your name & contact details before 28th February 2017.

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 25

SAVE

LOVELY LOCAL LADY

COULD

YOUR LIFE

Local lady Rebecca Scrase takes on a challenging and life-changing fundraising trek across Costa Rica in a bid to raise ÂŁ4,000 for the St John Ambulance charity

Local lady Rebecca Scrase lives in Hersham and works in Byfleet, and last year, she completed a St John Ambulance First Aid at Work course which she found

26 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

very interesting. It was then that she first learnt exactly what an important role St John Ambulance plays.

What I didn’t realise is that, once trained, these amazing

volunteers provide first aid to their communities by working alongside the NHS in response to 999 calls.

They also attend thousands of events throughout the year and basically save many lives by doing so.

It’s quite easy therefore to see why Rebecca wants to help this great charity, and she decided to combine her fundraising project with a life-changing and challenging trek across Costa Rica. She will be walking from the West Pacific Coast to the Caribbean East Coast. The trek will take her through coffee plantations, oak forest and into dense tropical jungle. She has paid for her own travel and for the trek so that all the donations will go directly to St John Ambulance.

Fundraising has already started, and to set her on the way to raising her massive £4000 target, she organised a number of fundraising bake sales, one of which was held at the Bookham Christmas Fair 2016. But the main fundraising event will take the form of a fantastic raffle. Rebecca has been hard at work and she has managed to collect some wonderful prizes which have been donated by many local businesses and organisations.

£40: The price of your monthly TV package can train a volunteer to give first aid at events such as football matches and concerts £60: The price of a pair of trainers can provide a volunteer with the kit they need to save a life £100: The price of your family’s weekly shop can train a young person to teach other young people in essential first aid skills.

Here is just a small selection of the prizes Rebecca has collected. We couldn’t fit in the whole list, sorry, but I think this should give you a good idea:Spa Day for 2 - lunch & spa at Savill Court Hotel Windsor Top Golf Addlestone - 30 day membership & bay reservation + 4 people, 2 games of Topgolf.

Thames Rockets London - 50 minute ride for 2 people Brooklands Hotel - 1 month gym membership Denbies Wine Tour for 2 Toni & Guy Walton- Haircut Ride Studio Cobham - Jumper and 10 classes Everyman Cinema Esher - 2 adult cinema tickets Silent Pool Gin Distillery - tour for 2 people Raffle tickets can be purchased as a book, 5 for £5, or individually for £1 each.

To purchase your raffle tickets:-

1 Log on to www.justgiving.co.uk/rscrase 2 Submit your ticket price donation. Don’t forget to pop ‘1st April raffle ticket’ in the leave a message box.

3 Email: costarica.sja@gmail.com with your address and phone number so that Rebecca can send you the tickets and contact you should you win an item!

4 Subscribe to Rebecca’s YouTube channel (search Rebecca Scrase Costa Rica SJA) so you do not miss the prize draw on 1st April 2017. There is a video with more information on Rebecca’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=dHMa1RpHaj0&t=6s

How your donation can saves lives:-

£4: The price of a meal deal lunch can give a child a 60 minute first aid lesson in school £7: The price of two pints of beer can run one of our ambulances for a day £25: The price of a takeaway for two allows us to equip someone with the first aid skills to save a life

Please do support Rebecca. She hopes to raise £4000 for this great charity, which in turn could quite possibly just save your life one day!

Look Local would like to wish you every success, Rebecca. Please keep us posted and we look forward to hearing all about the trek too!

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 27

Voluntary ACTION E

L

M

B

R

I

D

G

E

Poem OF THE MONTH Progress

SSupport victims of crime

A charity supporting victims of crime is looking for caring, mature and supportive people with good listening skills and good verbal communication skills.

Full training will be provided.

You can get fit and help retired greyhounds

A charity for retired greyhounds needs regular dog walkers. Variable commitments 365 days between 11am - 2pm. Looking for animal lovers who can give much needed contact, exercise and affection.

Use your administration experience

A local children’s hospice needs an enthusiastic, reliable volunteer who can support the fundraising team with office duties, 1/2 day a week.

Helpline volunteer needed

A local charity supporting victims of domestic violence is looking for friendly, calm & sympathetic volunteers to join their team. Full training will be provided

Do you have social media & digital marketing experience?

Well-developed written and verbal communication skills are required for this role with a local charity helping resettle refugees within Elmbridge. This flexible role can be done at home.

INTERESTED IN ANY OF THOSE ROLES? For more info on these roles & many other volunteering opportunities, please contact Voluntary Action Elmbridge.

please call : 0 1 3 7 2 4 6 3 5 87 Visit : www.vae.org.uk or email : contact@vae.org.uk Esher Civic Centre: Monday & Weds 10:00 - 13:00 Walton Library: Wednesday 10:00 - 13:00 Walton Quintet: Tues, Thurs & Friday 10:00 - 13:00

I prod the buttons on my phone Set out in numbered rows I wonder will it be this time As expectation grows The ringing tones assault my ear I pray to God I’m going to hear A human voice. Then appears The dreaded tape machine I’m rendered dumb and testy As I listen to the ‘voice’ A monotone squeezed down my phone A gift of multi-choice Press ONE for Mozart’s Magic Flute To wait on hold for hours – it’s TWO Press THREE to talk to no-one soon These blasted tape machines!

My sweaty ear is feeling like A piece of old raw meat My arm is getting stiffer And my bum has gone to sleep Again the dreaded voice arrives ‘Good news! You’re caller twenty-five It’s now I ponder suicide I hate these tape machines I linger as my stubble grows Drowning in frustration It’s surely not too much to ask For human conversation The minutes tick. The mist turns red My language now – best left unsaid And then the bloody line goes dead! *@!#&!%*#!&!@&*!#@!

CT Sullivan 28 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 29

Contactless PARKING PAY FOR PARKING WITH CONTACTLESS CARDS.

Residents and visitors to Elmbridge can now experience additional convenience when paying for parking, with the introduction of contactless payment machines in eight of the carparks in Elmbridge. There will be no additional fee or minimum spend for members of the public paying by card and a receipt will be issued by the machine if required.

Churchfield Road car park in Weybridge, Hollyhedge Road car park in Cobham, the Civic Centre car park in Esher, as well as the commuter car parks at Mayfield Road and Station Avenue in Walton-on-Thames, the Heath North and the Heath South car parks in Weybridge and Walton Park car park in Hersham all had contactless payment machines installed towards the end of December. This brings the number of

ways to pay for parking to five - cash, card via PIN, RingGo, season ticket and now contactless payment.

Councillor Andrew Davis, Portfolio Holder for Highway and Transport, commented; “We are always seeking to improve the service we offer to our residents and it is great that we can now provide them with even more convenience in our car parks.

The contactless payment method is quick and easy and I have no doubt that it will be appreciated by all our car park users.”

Sudoku puzzle

Communications Team Elmbridge Borough Council, High Street, Civic Centre, Esher, KT10 9SD

Tel: 01372 474387

What word...

Can you guess what ONE word we are describing? It is just ONE word and this can get a little tricky but fun.

Each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9 just once. This can be done by applying logic - you don’t have to guess!

30 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

1. Speed up, walking stick 2. 9th letter, sphere 3. Flesh, leg joint 4. Child, snooze 5. No money, characteristic 6. Metal jar, sign of sleepiness 7. Couple of medical personnel 8. Honey maker, purpose 9. School vehicle, young man 10. Honey-baked pork, twine

See how many you can solve. solutions page 37

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When Bob Dylan recently won his Nobel prize for his song lyrics, it reminded me of a poll I conducted on my radio show long ago as to what was the most important, the words to a pop song or the melody.

I can’t recall which element won, but it did throw up some classic instrumentals in no need of a lead singer’s embellishment. Some of those voiceless hits from the vaults included “Samba Pa Ti� from Mexican guitar great, Carlos Santana. This chilled-out recording was released in 1970.

Another dreamy performance came from Santo & Johnny in 1959 entitled, aptly enough, “Sleep Walk�.

By way of a contrast, Britain’s first ever American Number 1, “Telstar �from The Tornados was produced and written by the legendary Joe Meek and was inspired by the emergence of the space race in the year of its release.

My own favourite word-free recording also came out in 1962 from Memphis Tennessee’s Booker T and MGs’ “Green Onions�. This still makes me want to turn up the radio and turn down the lights for a bit of Dad dancing when it gets an airing, Another all-American recording that I mustn’t forget is the 1960 classroom command “Walk Don’t Run�. These chaps were America’s answer to our own Shadows, or Shads as they became known and loved, with hits such as Apache, “Foot Tapper�, “Wonderful Land�.

Some great memories there, and fascinating to see the early 60s as the era that seems to have spawned most of the big pop tunes that have stood the test of time.

what’s on

Around Weybridge

Local events in and around the Weybridge area during February and March 2017

Art Exhibition

BY THE GRANGE

TUESDAY 21ST - 26TH MARCH

9.30AM - 5.30PM

Denbies Wine Estate are kindly hosting an exhibition of highquality artworks by artists with learning or physical disabilities attending sessions at The Grange in Bookham.

Beautiful drawings, paintings and prints plus hand-crafted items made in our Creative Arts & Textiles studio will be on display, many for sale. Artists will be on hand for you to chat to.

Why not combine with a visit to Denbies coffee shop?

Animal

Valentines DAY

11TH - 19TH FEBRUARY 2017 For a unique adventure this half term, bring your family to Chessington World of Adventures Resort for our Animal Adventures week.

Take a spin on Sea Dragons & Seastorm, or go for a drive on Tiny Truckers.

Explore Dragon’s Playhouse & Canopy Capers, swing with the monkeys on AMAZU Treetop Adventure & get up to magical mischief in Hocus Pocus Hall!

Treat your loved one this Valentine’s Day with our magical Valentine’s Day experience. Enjoy exclusive access to our sparkling Crystal Grotto, as well as a fabulous brunch for two or delicious afternoon tea with Painshill Sparkling Wine.

ADVENTURES

Limited availabliliy each day...

Tickets from £15.00

PAINSHILL PARK

11:00am – 12:30pm: Brunch for two Members: £20pp non-members: £28pp 1:30pm – 3:30pm: Afternoon tea Members: £20pp Non-members: £28pp ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. 01932 868113

SUNDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 2017

Wild WOODLAND CAMP

Call to book 0871 6634477 Leatherhead Road, Chessington

01372 452608

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking

32 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

Have a wild time this February half term with campfires, wild art, bushcraft and den building (for children aged 8 to 13years) Advance booking required.

Cost: £40 a day. Call 01932 868113 to book.

Starts: Monday 14th February - 9.00AM - 4.00PM Painshill Park, Portsmouth Rd KT11 1JE

Vera Fletcher Hall

E V E N T S

SAT 11TH FEB - 7.30pm The Kapsetaki Duo - Concert Pianists. An evening of classical piano masterpieces by Chopin, Haydn, Bach and Rachmaninoff for solo and four hands by twin sisters Stephanie and Marianna Kapsetaki. www.isosceles.biz.

Tickets £15.00

SAT 25TH FEB - 7.30pm The Cobham Band presents Showtime.

Returning to the Vera Fletcher Hall, the Cobham Band will bring an entertaining evening of music from stage and screen; an eclectic mix from classics through to modern Tickets £12.50 www.verafletcherhall.co.uk

Mini AcesUNDER 5s CLUB

Two 45 minute sessions run from 10.30-11.15 and 11.30-12.15 in the art gallery (next to the Sunbeam cafe) Mini Aces club brings the museum to life through stories, craft, song and dance.

With a focus on different objects, stories and exhibits each month, children will discover the treasures we have in our collection and build selfconfidence in a new and exciting environment.

Please book in advance, sessions are limited to 10 children max Normal museum admission prices apply for this event Friday 9th February 17 | 10.30am - 12.15pm 01932 857381 ext 257 oliviafrench@brooklandsmuseum.com Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, KT13 0QN

TorchlightTOUR

ELMBRIDGE Youth Theatre

Elmbridge Youth Theatre, incorporating Esher Youth Theatre, with full professional orchestra, presents A Chorus Line.

After the first round of cuts, Zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves.

Tickets £7.00- £15.00

Tues 7th - Sat 11th Feb 17 7.30pm/ Sat matinee 2.30pm www.elmbridgeyouththeatre.com 07926 354645 | Cecil Hepworth Playhouse, Hurst Grove, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 1AU

Sassy Stirrers

VALENTINE’S CLASS

4 Embercourt Rd, KT7 0LQ

0845 652 8529

Acapella

SINGERS

‘Fauré and More !

A feast of classical works

by Fauré, Rachmaninov, Palestrina, Mendelssohn, Duruflé & de Victoria. A mix of unaccompanied and accompanied pieces.

Saturday 11th March

7.30pm

The United Reformed Church, Queen’s Road, Weybridge, KT13 9UX | 01372 464 768 http://acappellaweybridge.org.uk/

Join us for a special tour of the Museum as night falls. Warm clothes, sensible shoes and a torch are highly recommended as our expert guide leads you through the Motoring Village, Stratosphere Chamber, Test Hill and the Members’ Banking.

Please arrive between 6 - 6.30pm Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes Not suitable for children under 12 yrs

Wednesday 15th February 2017 6.00pm - 9.30pm 01932 857381 ext 253 events@brooklandsmuseum.com Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QNS

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this workshop will be lots of fun, making cake pops coated with chocolate, decorated with hearts and love all wrapped up to give to someone special on Valentine’s Day. Heart cookies, extraspecial brownies, scrummy snacks and a hearty lunch! Lots of goodies to take home and lovingly share…or to save for later! Limited places so book early.

Suitable for 5-12 year olds. £45 per place.

14th FEBRUARY 2017, 10.30am

www.sassystirrers.com info@sassystirrers.com | 07789 792 676 St George’s Junior School, KT13 8NL

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 33

International Education

AN EDUCATION LIKE NO OTHER...

T

Jeremy Lewis, Head of School at ACS Egham International School

he benefits of an international education Would you like your child to emerge from education as a confident, independent young adult, with a full appreciation and understanding of other cultures? To possess invaluable, life-long interpersonal skills, such as an ability to forge new friendships quickly and easily, network with confidence, communicate well with others, having developed into a caring, global citizen?

Well, who wouldn’t. I’m sure we all want this and more for our children, especially in today’s challenging, changing and uncertain world.

But there is one form of education that can help deliver these attributes more so than perhaps any other, and that’s an international education in an international school.

Study globally-recognised qualifications International schools have globally diverse students and staff from many different countries, and most teach globally recognised qualifications that will open doors to top universities and exciting careers pretty much anywhere in the world.

ACS Egham, one of three ACS International Schools in the UK, is the first and only school in the UK fully authorised to provide all four International Baccalaureat (IB) Programmes from age three through to 18.

The best known IB programme is the 16-18 IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), cited by university admission officers as the ‘best qualification to thrive at university’

34 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

and widely recognised as the best education programme for helping students develop critical study skills such as independent inquiry and self-management. The aims of the IB are outlined in the IB mission statement: to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people.

Last year, ACS Egham’s IBDP graduates achieved a phenomenal 100% pass rate, scoring an average 523 UCAS points (the equivalent to 2 A*s and 2 As at A Level), which compares to an IB international benchmark of 392. Quite an achievement!

Other IB programmes at ACS Egham include the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Career-related Programme and the IB Middle Years Programme, all equally challenging and recognised by educators and employers internationally as world class qualifications.

Over 60 different nationalities are represented at ACS Egham, creating a rich, multi-cultural and welcoming community. While many students are expatriates, it is local UK families who are joining in ever-increasing numbers, as awareness of the life-long benefits an international education can give grows. Through shared experiences and viewpoints, student gain a deep sense of global citizenship and build lasting friendships across all nationalities.

To find out more about how ACS Egham can enrich your child’s education or to register for an Open Morning, visit www.acs-schools.com/opendays

Inspiration!

just one thing...

I don’t know about you, but I’d been meaning to do lots of things in 2016 that I never quite got round to doing, usually for very good reasons, and occasionally ‘just because’. I’ve been thinking about this over Christmas, and while I’m not unrealistic enough to think that the solution lies in setting a New Year’s Resolution of “Doing Everything I Say I Want To Do”, I have come up with a cunning plan.

I

t’s called – you may have guessed – Just One Thing.

Many of the things on the ‘not done’ list that I really do want to do fall into specific categories, for example de-cluttering, contacting people I’ve been out of touch with for too long, exercising more, seeing more of my friends. So I’ve made lists within categories and added time frames. For example, every day I will throw out one item that’s outlived its purpose and do one extra repetition of an exercise. Each week, I’ll go through a drawer or box and see what I can get rid of and contact someone I’ve lost touch with. And so on.

Often, it’s the enormity of a task that makes it hard to start. For some people, that’s an incentive: they’ll turn the house upside down until everything has been cleared out. But I know that’s going to be hard for me to fit in, and I don’t want to turn exercising or contacting old friends into a chore, so I’m going for a different approach.

If one of the categories isn’t working according to plan, I can modify it. If the timescales don’t work, I can tweak them. After all, this is for me, no one else. I’m choosing categories that I think will make a positive difference to my life. I might find I’m wrong. I’m free to change my mind any time, but that has to be a conscious decision; I don’t want to look back at the end of 2017 and find I just haven’t done what I set out to.

And you know what will keep me on task? Accountability.

We’re usually much better at sticking to our word when we know someone is expecting us to. So I’m going to commit to reporting back here in three months’ time.

As I write, I’m still enjoying the memory of the long chat I had today with a school friend I’d been meaning to contact all year. Why did I wait so long?

What have you been putting off for too long? What are you going to do about it? When? And who will be your accountability partner?

Happy New Habit

Sonia Duggan CPCC ACC

PS - Do you need help deciding what to do differently this year, or keeping on track? Call or email me to claim a complimentary Inspiration! coaching session when you mention LookLocal Weybridge.

Coaching with Inspiration! +44 (0) +44 (0)

1932 849309 7779 064646

info@inspirationcoaching.biz www.inspirationcoaching.biz @inspirationbiz Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 35

February Car Review

Porsche Carrera

Ted Macauley test drives the Porsche Carrera S PDK and lets us know what it has to offer....

SPECIFICATION:

Carrera S PDK. BHP 365.

Top speed 183mph 0-60 in 4.6 secs.

MPG 38. Price £76,412.

L

et me start with a confession: I’ve got the hots and am passionate about sleek and curvy beauties. But rest easy, Elmbridge ladies, it’s none of you. I am an unashamed sports car worshipper, mad keen on the thundering, head-turning, brrmmm-brrmmm breathtakers. That is why, over the years - and to my eyewatering cost - I have been the envied and smugly proud owner - OK, show-off!

- of three E-type Jaguars (two soft, one hardtop), a scarlet Lamborghini Espada, an Austin Healey, an MG TF and the frequent borrower of my best pal’s, the ex-world champ motorbike legend Mike Hailwood’s exotic Iso Grifo.

I am currently sharing with Trophy Wife a fab Porsche Cayman, a fine mixture of style, finesse and panache. That goes for both TW and the car…. and that mention of the German legends, the patron saints of motoring pleasure, brings me to a point of worrying information: their Carrera is the most stolen car in the UK, according to a report that puts the immaculate flyer to the top of Burglar Bill’s list, well ahead of, say, Mercedes and Range Rover.

Motoring specialist spokesman Roger Powell explains: “It comes as no surprise that the cars most at risk of being stolen are the prestige models. And that means the Carrera S.They are desirable to used car

buyers and targeted by the thieves because of the profit potential.”

I hope that this revelation fails to force any potential buyer to abandon their dream when secure overnight lock-ups are used, keys carefully and safely hidden and never, EVER left in a parked car, not for the briefest of moments, especially with the engine running, while you pop your letter in a nearby postbox. Having got the scare story out of the way, I would like to move onto the supercar, one of my absolute favourites, with the hope that buyers will not be put off by the baddies.

The newly innovative and updated series 2 991, the first 911 Carrera to be turbo-charged, rockets to the peak of perfection with its pleasing feedback from its 3-litre bi-turbo engine that returns a mighty 365bhp. Not that you dare do it without a resultant jail sentence, unless you are enjoying the freedom of a German autobahn, but it flows to a mindboggling 183mph and would give Lewis Hamilton’s F1 charger a scare.

So what else is new? A double change in the latest 911’s cabin. It will have existing owners wishing they had hung on for a while on their latest buy-in. Firstly, there is a tinier steering wheel, a revised power steering system, snapped up from the GTs RS and Spyder, and it works superbly, giving what is a reasonably big car an even

36 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

more agile feeling.

Then it also has a switch which gives it double-quick access to the settings for Normal, Sport, Sport-Plus and other tailored requirements, according to your instant wishes, and needs to get going in a sharpish overtaking manoeuvre.

Overall, Porsche, with their gift for making their lucky customers happy and content with their application of futuristic genius, have done it all again with the 911R. And I don’t know how they manage it. They have done it without confronting a buyer with a price tag usually labelled on supercars. But if you are jostling already to buy one, you’ll have a wait, because all the 911Rs are already sold out and right now are changing hands for loads more than the original price of £136,901.

So, I would advise going for the standard Carrera S PDK with its amazing stopping ability on magical ceramic brakes and the absolutely stunning performance, with an almost unbelievable throttle feedback and comfort-on-the-go returns. It’ll cost you much less, without losing too much in accomplishment and style. If I sound like a drooling, star-struck fan, I make no apologies. And if my lottery numbers serve me right, our Cayman will find itself overtaken by a sibling Carrera. That’s a promise.

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February Solutions

Crossword & Sudoku crossword - page 24

sudoku - page 30

Not Just Silver FESTIVE Issue

Competition Winner Shirley Wilkins what word - page 30

1. Hurricane 2. Eyeball 3. Skinny 4. Kidnap 5. Portrait 6. Canyon 7. Paramedics 8. Because 9. Busboy 10. Hamstring

Looklocal Magazine - February 2017 37

advertisersINDEX

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© LOOK LOCAL MAGAZINE 2017

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38 Looklocal Magazine - February 2017

ST R N NO YLE AN EW W S & GE AV C OF AI OL LA OU BL RS E

For a beautiful new kitchen...

just change the doors

Have you always wanted the kitchen of your dreams, but can’t quite justify paying the expensive price tag that comes with it? Now you can by just swapping the doors and worktops.

Less cost, less time, less mess...

• Huge choice of Doors, Worktops, Appliances, Sinks & Taps • Free Estimating and planning • 50% deposit with balance on completion www.dreamdoors.co.uk

For a FREE NO OBLIGATION home visit telephone 020 8399 1226 Or visit our showroom: 406 Ewell Road, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7HF Email kt@dreamdoorsltd.co.uk

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