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Derbyshire County Council launch survey for armed forces community

A survey carried out by the University of Derby, on behalf of Derbyshire County Council, is aiming to find out more about the county’s armed forces community.

The research sets out to identify the size and make-up of Derbyshire’s armed forces community to help inform and improve local services for individuals and families who are connected to the British armed forces.

The survey is open to people aged 18 and over who live in Derbyshire and is completely anonymous. It is open now with a closing date of 3 April 2020.

Derbyshire County Council Armed Forces Champion Councillor Neil Atkin, said: “The council is committed to helping to make sure no member of the armed forces community in Derbyshire faces a disadvantage when it comes to public services.”

“Last year we re-signed our Armed Forces Covenant alongside all Derbyshire’s district and borough council’s to reaffirm our commitment to support military personnel with day-to-day life.”

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis, added: “If you are part of Derbyshire’s armed forces community we’d really like to hear from you. We want to reach as many people as possible.”

“Research is important to help local authorities, health and social care services to meet the needs of the armed forces community so they are treated with fairness, compassion and respect.”

Derbyshire County Council want to hear from:

  • regular currently serving personnel from the armed forces
  • volunteer and regular reservists
  • veterans
  • families of regular, reservist and veterans
  • the bereaved – who are family members of service personnel and veterans who have died whether that death is connected to their service or not

Research is being externally funded from a grant provided by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and Derbyshire County Council has commissioned Derby University to conduct the research.

The covenant fund gives grants to community projects that are mutually beneficial to the armed forces community and the civilian community.

Click here to take part in the survey (opens in new tab)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure

Tenth Celebrate Chesterfield Conference to update on Talgo Head Office and next decade of investment

Jon Veitch, Managing Director of Talgo UK Ltd, the Spanish train manufacturer that recently established its UK head office in Chesterfield, will reveal his company’s aspirations for the town at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event.

Over 250 people are expected to attend the free event and exhibition, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and is taking place on Wednesday 11 March at the Winding Wheel Theatre.

Mr Veitch (far right) is one of number of key speakers at the free event. He will also be joined by Elizabeth Fagan CBE – Chair of D2N2 LEP, Dr. Paula Holt – Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean at the University of Derby and Huw Bowen – Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Sponsored by the University of Derby, Celebrate Chesterfield is one of the biggest and most hotly anticipated business events in the area.

The event is the tenth conference organised by Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment marketing campaign, which is currently working with 180 local businesses, known as Chesterfield Champions, to raise the profile of the town.

Since the launch of Destination Chesterfield, the town has seen significant investment, with more than a billion pounds of investment currently underway. At the conference, delegates will hear updates on key development sites including Northern Gateway, Chesterfield Waterside, The Glass Yard and PEAK.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “Celebrate Chesterfield 2020 is particularly significant, not least it recognises the tenth anniversary of Destination Chesterfield, but it is an opportunity to look back over the last decade and see all that the town has achieved in terms of investment.”

“It is something we all should be proud of given the climate of political and economic uncertainty, which has surrounded the town since Destination Chesterfield was established in 2010. A positive mindset coupled with a collaborative approach across the public and private sector has led to substantial investment and development in the Chesterfield. We have created an excellent foundation for further growth and investment.”

In addition to establishing a Head Office, Talgo also has ambitions to develop an ‘Innovation Centre’, co-located with Barrow Hill Roundhouse. In addition to HS2, Talgo is central to Chesterfield’s ambition to become a hub for rail technology and development.

At the event Mr Bowen will update delegates on the Council’s plans for the train station following the announcement that Chesterfield will get an HS2 stop.

Paula Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, added: “We are delighted to be working with Destination Chesterfield and supporting the Celebrate Chesterfield event again this year.”

“As Derbyshire’s only university, we look to use our academic expertise, research and innovation to foster talent and create impactful partnerships with businesses.”

“The Celebrate Chesterfield event provides a great opportunity for us to have valuable conversations that enable us to understand more about the challenges local businesses face. Our priority remains to understand and effectively service the needs of businesses and to create opportunities for individuals, employers and communities to develop and flourish.”

Bridge Help, Central Technology and Markham Vale – Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, are also supporting the breakfast event as associate sponsors.

Anthony Clitheroe, Director at HBD, development partner for the Markham Vale site commented: “The past 10 years at Markham Vale has seen a transformation of this site. Alongside our partnership with Derbyshire County Council, we are proud of the changes, both locally and further afield, this development has made to the region.

“The scheme has seen continued growth as several developments completed towards the end of last year. We’re now looking forward to other opportunities that will see us bring some fantastic new occupiers to the Markham Vale site.”

Ian Snow, Managing Director at Central Technology said: “Supporting Destination Chesterfield is of great importance to us here at Central Technology. This event has always been the perfect place to meet and work with like-minded organisations and helps put Chesterfield on the map as a great location to both work and live.”

“To continue to provide the best IT support and Disaster Recovery Service and Solutions across all sectors of business, we work hard to actively seek local talented people. We have a comprehensive internal training and development platform to ensure continual training and improvement is maintained throughout our teams. We also have an apprenticeship programme in place, which works to build our teams from the ground up. Training and development is of paramount importance at CT, It is crucial not only for our customers but also the team here that they are able to learn, develop and achieve qualifications to reach their potential. We look forward to supporting Destination Chesterfield in 2020 and beyond.”

Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help added: “We are delighted to support both Destination Chesterfield and the Celebrate Chesterfield event. Commercial developments can often take a significant amount of time to come to fruition and you can overlook the progress that has been made. this event is an excellent opportunity to both recap on what has been achieved over the last 10 years and learn about forthcoming developments and investment in the town.”

Tickets for the breakfast event, which is being held from 7:30am to 11:00am, and includes an exhibition with 30 businesses, are available to book now.

To book your ticket at the event or an exhibition stand, please click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

#ChallengeDerbyshire initiative smashes through £1million mark in support of North Derbyshire hospices

The recent #ChallengeDerbyshire Charity Ball raised over £200,000 for three North Derbyshire hospices, bringing the total amount raised to over £1.1million.

#ChallengeDerbyshire, which first began in 2015, is a fundraising initiative, supported by local businesses, raising money for Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust and has managed to raise over £1million, thanks to a number of brilliant events and challenges.

David Hopkins, CEO of Markovitz, the driving force behind #ChallengeDerbyshire, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us reach this fantastic milestone so soon! I hoped we would hit the £1million on Saturday but to smash it raising well over £200k on the night taking us past £1.1million was amazing. Excellent end of life care should never be a ‘nice to have’ it should be an absolute right for everyone.

We must never take for granted the incredible work our three charities do for our patients and their families at the most difficult time in their lives. The support we have received from local businesses has been incredible, but the need doesn’t go away. Please keep giving as generously as you do and encourage others to join us in support of our three wonderful charities.”

The money raised so far by #ChallengeDerbyshire has made a significant difference to local people across North Derbyshire.

Barbara-Anne Walker, Chief Executive at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “Since #ChallengeDerbyshire first began in 2015, this amazing initiative has made a significant contribution to Ashgate Hospicecare and an undoubtable difference to the care that patients and their families across North Derbyshire have been able to receive.

“The hospice would simply be unable to run without the amazing support and kindness from initiatives like #ChallengeDerbyshire and all the people associated with it. To have raised over a £1 million for all three charities and make a difference to thousands of people across North Derbyshire is incredible.

“It means a huge amount to everyone here at the hospice to know this will help us ensure we’re her for the future. On behalf of all our patients, their families and everyone associated at the Hospice, thank you so much!”

If your business links would like to lend their support to #ChallengeDerbyshire, to help them continue making a difference to the lives of local people, please contact Jennifer McBain on 01298 72021 or events@challengederbyshire.org.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Quarterly Economic Survey will establish direction of travel for region’s businesses

2019 was another year of political and economic uncertainty for businesses across the East Midlands and the UK, characterised largely by the ongoing negotiations to leave the EU – only resolved in the final month of the year – and the snap general election of the same month.

With the UK having now left the EU, and with a Government with a strong majority in place, are businesses preparing for more certainty and less turbulence moving forward, or are challenges and outstanding questions – not least what a UK/EU trade deal might look like – resulting in caution among businesses? Importantly, what are the region’s prospects like for 2020 in terms of job creation and growth?

The East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) seeks to answer these questions, asking businesses to respond to a series of questions on different economic indicators, including sales, orders, investments, international activity, cashflow, recruitment plus many more; including a focus in this survey on the low carbon economy.

Responses to this crucial survey, and the feedback received, will be used to help shape regional and national decision making on how to best support the local business community.

The QES is part of the UK’s biggest business survey run through the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) network and polls around 10,000 businesses each quarter to monitor business trends.

Commenting on the survey launch, Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at the Chamber, said: “While for the most part 2019 generated more questions than answers, business across the East Midlands area remained relatively robust. However, in conversation with our members across the region there was definitely a sense of driving with the handbrake on, and for some the uncertainty of last year caused real problems.

“What the results of this survey will detail is how the region’s businesses have responded to the outcome of the General Election, the UK formally leaving the EU and the start of the transition period for us to agree trading arrangements leading up to the end of 2020.

“Whatever happens, there will be both challenges and opportunities – the Quarterly Economic Survey will give a sense of how businesses are responding to these as the year progresses, and a steer on the kind of support they need in order to succeed.”

The survey runs until 9 March. To take part, visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HSS8Y8D.

Click here to find out more about the East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Eckington School’s aspiring engineers discover career opportunities

With 14,000 students in north Derbyshire set to leave school in the next five years, aspiring engineers from Eckington School recently got to see first-hand the apprentice and employment opportunities open to them in the STEM sector.

Five Year 11 GCSE students from the school recently visited the award-winning Penny Hydraulics. The company design, manufacturers and installs hydraulic lifting equipment and is keen to attract the next generation of workers to its Clowne-based facility.

The visit was organised as part of the Made in Chesterfield initiative which is designed to introduce young people to careers opportunities in the town’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sector.

Launched in 2015, Made in Chesterfield has already been instrumental in raising awareness of careers in the sector, reaching 3,000 students since the campaign began.

Having apprenticeship vacancies available at a range of levels Daniel Casey, Marketing Manager at Penny Hydraulics explained why building links with schools is important for the company, saying: “Supporting local initiatives like Made in Chesterfield helps Penny Hydraulics to inspire the next generation of workers from the local community.

“By bringing students from local schools to our premises we can give young people a valuable insight into a career in engineering or manufacturing – hopefully enough to inspire them to pursue a career with us and other STEM companies in the area.”

Sally-Anne Warren-Armes, Employer Engagement Manager at Eckington School echoed Daniel, saying: “Our specially selected students were already interested in a career in engineering and the visit to Penny Hydraulics strengthened these interests, giving them new avenues to think about.”

James Peters, one of the students who took part in the visit, commented: “The visit has definitely shown that there are both physical and academic sides to engineering.”

All primary and secondary schools throughout North East Derbyshire are being encouraged to sign up to the Made in Chesterfield campaign and discover the employment opportunities in the sector available to current and future school leavers. Employers in the sector are offering school leavers a variety of opportunities, including apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships and graduate training schemes.

The campaign is co-ordinated by Destination Chesterfield with support from the University of Derby, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, NatWest, Chesterfield Borough Council and Placing Futures.

To find out more about Made in Chesterfield and discover how your school or business can get involved, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Pinewood Property Estates joins the FIA as exclusive members for Chesterfield and Mansfield

Graham Lock, Founder of the FIA, has revealed that Pinewood Property Estates has accepted his invitation to become the exclusive members for Chesterfield and Mansfield.

Graham Lock said: “I’m thrilled that Pinewood have joined our growing network of high calibre independent agents, they’re an award winning agency that puts the customer at the heart of everything they do, together with a fantastic internal culture. It’s not easy to gain FIA membership but this was a simple decision. Pinewood are clearly on top of their game and I can see a great future for them”.

Director Stacey Davies-Bowler said: “We’re delighted to have been asked to join the FIA, it’s a reflection of our continued progress as an award-winning, customer focused agency. The support, guidance, discounts, products suite and general feeling of being part of something special really appealed to me. The area exclusivity afforded to us will be a significant benefit to the team.”

Graham Lock continued “As soon as I spoke with Stacey I realised Pinewood were the right fit for the FIA. They will compliment our other members perfectly as we continue to build our eyecatching network of high calibre agents throughout the country. I’m really looking forward to seeing Pinewood continue to grow their business and we’re delighted to be a part of that story.”

In 2019, Pinewood Property Estates picked up 4 Golds and 1 Bronze at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards.

Click here to find out more about Pinewood Property Estates

Pinewood Property Estates wins awards at The ESTAS

Pinewood Property Estates wins at The ESTAS

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Derbyshire producers offered exciting opportunity to exhibit at Chatsworth Country Fair

Derbyshire producers will get a chance to showcase and sell their products to thousands of visitors at Chatsworth Country Fair this summer thanks to an exciting opportunity offered by the area’s official tourist board.

For the third year running, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire (MPDD) is inviting local artisans to apply for a place in the Inspired by the Peak District and Derbyshire Marketplace at the major annual event, which attracts over 70,000 people from across the UK.

Held in the magnificent Chatsworth parkland, Chatsworth Country Fair (4 – 6 September 2020) showcases the best in traditional, British country pursuits with spectacular showground entertainment, quality trade stands and fun for all the family.

The opportunity is open to small-to-medium-sized businesses ranging from food and drink producers to artists and craftspeople, and is part financially supported by the MPDD-led European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project ‘Growing & Developing the Visitor Economy Within Derbyshire (Phase II)’.

Derbyshire-based businesses can apply for a place using the following link: www.chatsworth-country-fair-marquee-2020.eventbrite.co.uk

Applications are open until Friday 1st May 2020. Successful applicants will be notified in early June 2020. Stalls provided to successful applicants will be subject to a charge of £100 plus VAT per business.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “We’re excited to once again offer local businesses the fantastic opportunity to showcase their products and services at Chatsworth Country Fair via our ERDF project.”

“The event is the biggest and best of its kind in the country and our Inspired by the Peak District & Derbyshire Marketplace offers a unique platform for businesses to reach a potential audience of thousands of people from across the UK.”

“Thanks to our funding support, it’s a great chance for businesses to assess – with little financial risk – the effectiveness of exhibiting at a show such as this, with the hope that they attend under their own steam in future years. Good luck to everyone who applies!”

Val and Nigel Hufton of The Tasty Cakery exhibited in the Inspired by the Peak District & Derbyshire Marketplace last year. They said: “Attending Chatsworth Country Fair was a huge boost for our business. It was the best fair we had ever attended and we not only sold plenty of products, but we gained good exposure to the public and also valuable trade interest.”

“It provided us with a fantastic opportunity to sell our products at an event that we probably couldn’t have afforded to exhibit at in our own right. It was also great networking with other local producers and there was fantastic camaraderie!”

Click here to find out more about the Chatsworth Country Fair

Applications are open until Friday 1st May 2020

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Local potters inspired by Chesterfield’s past

A new exhibition at Chesterfield Museum will display ceramics created by members of a local pottery class and inspired by a historic pottery in Brampton.

Potters in the class were inspired by an owl figurine that was created in the William Gordon Pottery in Brampton, a pottery that was at the forefront of ceramic design during the 20th century, and which currently resides as part of the collections in Chesterfield Museum. In December the owl figurine was the museum’s object of the month.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy, said: “This is a great way for our museum’s collection to inspire the creative community locally. We’re really excited to display the results of the students’ work in this special exhibition.”

Clare Gage, who teaches the pottery class, said: “This William Gordon owl really caught my eye and I can see so many possibilities for how students could take inspiration from it. I love the fact that we will be connecting with local history for this project. What a fantastic way to inspire new potters.”

All the work was created as part of a pottery class that was launched at the Clay Cross Adult Community Education Centre in September 2019.

William Gordon moved to Chesterfield as a result of the expertise that existed at the Brampton properties – especially in the use of a salt-glaze technique. He worked in the Briddon Pottery in the 1930s before moving on to run his own pottery where he produced unique pieces until 1956.

The exhibition at Chesterfield Museum, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, is open to the public from Friday 7 February until Monday 23 March. The museum is open on Mondays and Thursday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm.

Click here to find out more

Students of the pottery class at Clay Cross Adult Community Education Centre have designed and produced pieces inspired by a William Gordon pottery owl

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Consultation on funding for local voluntary and community sector launched

Local voluntary and community sector groups in Derbyshire are being asked to help shape their future funding arrangements during a 12 week consultation.

Derbyshire County Council has launched the consultation into funding for local voluntary and community sector (VCS) infrastructure organisations with a view to developing a fairer more consistent way of allocating money to support our ambitions and priorities.

The council has already met with the infrastructure groups – umbrella organisations which offer information, support, guidance, training and funding advice to the local charitable sector – as well as health partners and district and borough councils, to develop future funding principles based on:

  • fairness and consistency
  • outcomes (measurable achievements)
  • long term sustainability

We now want as many people as possible across the county to take part in the consultation and give their views.

Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “We’ve already been out talking to infrastructure organisations to find out what they need from us to carry out their work in a sustainable way. Based on their feedback, we’ve come up with some ideas and we’d now like to hear from as many people as possible on what they think of our proposals.”

Derbyshire County Council give grants of more than £3 million a year to local voluntary and charity groups carrying out valuable work for Derbyshire residents. A proportion of the funding supports the infrastructure organisations – often local council for voluntary service (CVS) groups.

The new proposals could see grants given out over 4 years instead of one, distributed along borough and district boundary lines and key performance indicators introduced.

Councillor Hart added: “The way we fund organisations has developed organically over time which has led to a fragmented approach. By developing a new funding framework, the community and voluntary sector will have a better idea of what we expect from our funding.”

“The sector is also asking us to look at providing funding over the longer term to give it stability.”

“As an Enterprising Council one of our key priorities is to create empowered and self-sufficient local communities. Supporting the voluntary and community sector to grow and thrive is central to achieving this.”

A report on the outcome of the consultation is due back before Cabinet in the summer.

Click here to read more about the proposals and fill in the online questionnaire.

Action Grants

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

D2N2 launches call for funding

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is opening a call for new projects from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation.

The Local Growth Fund is a Government Fund awarded to each LEP area to support economic growth in every region. D2N2 has an allocation of just over £250M which has been invested in projects since 2015 to unlock new jobs, housing and support skills development.

As the fund is coming to the end of the programme, D2N2 is looking to invite potential new projects that are ready to be delivered in the last year of the programme before March 2021 to utilise any remaining funds, that can support the objectives for a stronger, more productive and inclusive region.

The LEP is inviting organisations to put forward their proposals for capital projects that support the economic objectives for the region as set out in the Strategic Economic Plan and emerging Local Industrial Strategy. This can include projects such as facilities to support innovation, managed or incubation workspace for new and growing businesses, infrastructure to unlock new housing and employment sites including transport, and skills capital to support learners.

Sajeeda Rose, CEO of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We are looking for projects that are ready to go that will facilitate new jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses and contribute towards the growth of the regional economy.”

“These projects will help us to drive forward our shared growth agenda, delivering economic growth and regenerating and revitalising our communities.”

Projects that have previously received Local Growth funding through the LEP include city and town centre regeneration projects, road and rail improvements, flood defences, training facilities, and development sites.

For more information and further details on how to apply to the pipeline call, visit the D2N2 LEP website here.

The deadline for responses is Midday on the 2nd of March 2020.

Over 200 delegates attended the 2019 D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Conference in November.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Local students find out how apprenticeships can kick start their career

Chesterfield College students and pupils from schools across Derbyshire had the opportunity to meet local and national employers offering exciting apprenticeship opportunities last week.

The Apprenticeship Careers Fair, held at the college during National Apprenticeship Week, brought students and employers from a range of different sectors together.

Students found out more about the type of careers they could start or develop with an apprenticeship and employers promoted the range of apprenticeships they offered in everything from business to healthcare and engineering to the armed forces.

Engineering apprentices, Warren Feast and Aaron Leivers (right), enjoyed speaking to students about the benefits of their apprenticeship with precision engineering company, Nasmyth based in Pinxton. They also highlighted the practicalities of earning and learning.

Warren said: “For me the best way to learn is to be hands on. An apprenticeship gives you the chance to learn in real situations day in day out. Spending time at college and learning on the job gives you the best of both worlds.”

“I never imagined that doing an apprenticeship would give me the knowledge and the confidence to talk to people about aerospace engineering. It’s really good to be able to speak to people about what their interests are and whether an apprenticeship would lead them on the right path.”

Chesterfield-based drinks manufacturer and owners of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel, Global Brands, currently have 8 apprentices and they are looking for 3 more apprentices in varying hospitality and business functions.

Andrea Houghton, Talent Acquisition and Development Manager, said: “We’re here today to highlight the opportunities there are to develop a career with us. We offer apprenticeships from level 2 all the way up to level 6. Our apprentices come into a real job doing vital business functions working alongside experienced professionals. They learn how the business works and our goal is to develop and keep that talent.”

Construction students Leon Humphries and Bradley Edge both secured a trial with Dalton Roofing at the Careers Fair.

Leon said: “The event was a great opportunity to find an apprenticeship. I have been trying to find the right one for a while so it was good to be able to speak to Dalton Roofing today. I am looking forward to starting a trial next week and hopefully getting started with my apprenticeship soon after that.”

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group said: “It is vital to encourage young people to consider apprenticeships as a route to building a successful career. Providing our students and school pupils with the opportunity to meet employers and other apprentices at the careers fair is a fantastic way to highlight the significant benefits an apprenticeship can offer. It was wonderful to see so many employers talking enthusiastically about how they need the talent and skills of our young people in their organisations.”

“I am delighted that we can play a part in helping young people establish a career and help employers develop the workforce they need through apprenticeships.”

To find out more about the huge range of apprenticeships on offer visit www.learningunlimiteduk.com or call the Apprenticeship Hub at Chesterfield College on 0345 8501055.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Visiting

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