| The following is a copy of the Letter sent w/c 27 March 2006 (via 'snail-mail') to all known Powditchs and Powditch descendants.
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5a Southgate Road, Southgate, Gower, Swansea, SA3 2BT
(Tel: Swansea (01792) 234554)
(Email:
 )27 March 2006
Second Powditch Family Gathering - 14 to 17 September 2006 - Norfolk, UK
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As mentioned in the Christmas 2005 Newsletter, this year is hosting another Powditch Family
Gathering, (hereinafter called PFG2006) and as in 2004, the event is being based around the 16th to
18th century Powditch village of Morston, Norfolk.
m
Whilst it has not been possible this time to arrange a couple of the events held in 2004 (such as the
Bishop of Norwich holding the service at Morston Church), we will nevertheless be revisiting Wells-
next-the-Sea, North Creake Church, Creake Abbey, and we will also once again be having Afternoon
tea (with the present owners) at the Powdich ancestral home of Creake Abbey Farm. On the ‘plus’ side
however, PFG2006 has more Powditch-villages to visit, more interesting places to explore, and more
meals to enjoy!
m
For this year, an extra half-day has been ‘slipped in’, principally because most family members who
came in 2004, arrived on the Thursday and then came to an early-morning Registration the next day.
This time I have taken into consideration that by holding the Registration on the same day that family
members arrive (i.e. Thursday) we could ‘gain’ extra time for the Friday tour, thus allowing us to visit
more Powditch-associated places in the nearby vicinity.
m
So, for PFG2006, we will not only have a full day out and about on the Friday, but because the Church
service will be on the Sunday, we now also have a full day of travel and visiting places on the Saturday!
Sunday will still have its guided tour (after the Church service), although unless family members are
going to remain in the area for the Sunday afternoon, there won’t be a trip on the ‘Powditch Ferry’ to
see the Seals on this occasion - principally due to the tide not being high enough for the boat to ‘sail’
until approx’ 3.00pm.
m
For those who came to the first ever Powditch Family Gathering at Morston, in September 2004, the
event was a most memorable occasion, with Powditchs from as far away as Australia and Derby,
Narberth and New Zealand (and all places in between!) all meeting up in the village of Morston, Norfolk.
The majority had never met each other before, let alone spoken or had any other contact, even though
all were related through their Powditch roots - and yet, within minutes, each was chatting away as
though all had known each other for ever.
m
Included with this letter is the Registration form for PFG2006, together with full details of places to
be visited, talks, meals, walks, etc, complete with relevant prices for same. Also included is a ‘Terms
and Conditions’ notice, which has been marginally amended since the 2004 issue, mostly due to the
extended period of the event.
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Do please read through everything which has been planned for the four days (well, 3½ actually) of
PFG2006, and then I would be most grateful for you to return the Registration form etc to me (before
1 May 2006 if at all possible) so that I will know whether you will be coming (or not).
M
Remember, your surname is not only ‘ancient’ (in its 1196 A.D. form being written as ‘Pochedygge’),
but through your ancestors who have been surnamed with variants of same, right down to today’s
‘Powditch’ spelt family members, the past 810 years (at least) of places where your ancestors’ lived,
worked and worshipped will be ‘revealed’ to those who come to their native Norfolk and take part in this
year’s Powditch Family Gathering. Come and see, and be justifiably proud of your heritage and
fascinating history, and at the same time, meet your relatives.
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Ang and I hope that you will be able to attend this, the second Gathering of members of the Powditch
family, and we eagerly wait to not only discover who will want to join us in Morston for PFG2006, but also
in renewing the friendships of all those who intend to return for the second Powditch Family Gathering,
and we really look forward to hearing from you.
John
(Terms and Conditions are shown overleaf)
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| Please note that the following TERMS AND CONDITIONS are shown here in their abbreviated version. For a full copy of the TERMS AND CONDITIONS of the 2006 Powditch Family Gathering,
please contact me, and I will forward same to you by return post (or by email)
The Powditch Gathering at Morston, Norfolk, UK, has been arranged and coordinated by John C Algar
(Powditch Historian and Archivist), Joc Wingfield (Friends of Morston Church), and others on our behalf
(hereinafter both individually and collectively called the ‘organisers’) for the benefit of both the Powditch
Family in visiting their family roots, as well as for the Friends of Morston Church in their need to raise
much needed funds for repairs and maintenance of All Saints Church, Morston.
We hope that you as an individual, or jointly with your husband or wife or with others in your group
(hereinafter called ‘you’ or ‘your’), will have a really wonderful Family Gathering, and that all activities,
meals, travelling and other aspects of the special event, will run to the times pre-arranged and booked,
will be available as requested and ordered, and will ensure that the whole 4-day event will be one to
enjoy and to induce good memories.
DISCLAIMER
As at various times during the 4-day event you together with the organisers will all be travelling by
Coaches (Friday and Saturday), will be on private property (Friday afternoon), eating and drinking etc
within one or more Hotels or Inns (Thursday, Friday evenings, and Saturday afternoon and evening), on
Private land and within Council property (Saturday), will be in both a Village Hall and in various
Churches (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), plus will be in your own vehicles on Sunday morning/afternoon
to visit nearby villages, it is only right that the organisers advise you and everyone attending the
Powditch Gathering of what Insurances and liabilities are in place, or where such Insurances need to be
supplemented or replaced by your own personal, household or specialist Insurances, especially as the
organisers will not and can not be held legally, morally or financially liable for any loss, injury, delay,
cancellation, death, alteration or any other incident whatsoever wheresoever and howsoever, intentionally
or unintentionally, caused by and/or to you as an individual or jointly with your husband or wife or with
others in your group at any time between 2.00pm Thursday 14 September 2006 and 2.30pm on Sunday
17 September 2006 (being the duration of the said 2006 Powditch Family Gathering, inclusive of an
additional 1 hour each side of the commencement and finishing times).
Whilst the organisers have undertaken everything within their power to ensure that - wherever
possible - venues have both an outside and inside alternative, the organisers cannot be held
responsible for the vagaries of the British weather, nor can they be held legally or financially liable
should any of the venues, lecturers, hosts, chefs, or any one or more events become unavailable or be
impacted through matters beyond their control; such matters to include, but not be limited by, strike,
commotion, terrorist activities, war, civil riot, spillage (of any nature, chemical or otherwise), death,
illness, or any other foreseen or unforeseen catastrophe or incident. Furthermore, should anything
untoward happen to you including (such happenings to include, but not be limited to or by) loss of any
kind injury death or anything else which affects you or members of your family or your friends or any
other person pet or possession (tangible or not tangible) whether personal bodily or otherwise the
organisers will not and cannot be held legally morally or financially accountable to or for you or
members of your family or your friends or any other person pet or possession for such happenings the
latter to be in addition to the wording within the first sentence of this two sentence paragraph;
furthermore you or members of your family or your friends or any other person pet or possession are
required to ensure that safety and protection of you yourselves and your possessions of any kind are
your own responsibility covered by your own personal or household insurances and therefore not
claimable by you and or yourselves from any one or more of the organisers.
Details regarding the various Suppliers’, together with their Addresses, Telephone and Fax numbers
and any other information regarding them, are all available from me upon request, as are their own
individual Terms and Conditions, together with any information (where relevant) relating to their
arrangement/arrangements and policy/policies regarding Personal and Possessions’ Insurance.
m
John C Algar
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 The Powditch Family’s Second World Gathering
14 September - 17 September 2006
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Registration Form
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__________________________________________________________________________________________
Please will you complete this form and the one overleaf, and return them to me
** (Please do remember to make copies for your own records) **
John C Algar
Powditch Family Historian
5a Southgate Road
Southgate, Gower
Swansea, UK
SA3 2BT
Attendee
Surname......................................................................................................................................
First Name ...................................................Title (Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms/Prof)...................................
Postal Address ...........................................................................................................................
City ..............................................................County/State.........................................................
Country ........................................................Post Code.............................................................
Telephone ( )....................................Fax ( ).........................................................
E-mail .......................................................................................................................................
Partner
Surname......................................................................................................................................
First Name ...................................................Title (Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms/Prof)...................................
Children
Name................................................................................................Age...................................
Name................................................................................................Age...................................
Name................................................................................................Age...................................
Please advise here of any special requirements (e.g. dietary, disabilities etc)..........................
...................................................................................................................................................
Will you also please state which Menu each of your party requires.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please could you could let me know whether you will be able to come to the Gathering.
I apologise for asking, but I would also be grateful for a 10% deposit to be sent with
your Registration and Special Events forms, in order for me to provide firm bookings to
both the Coach and Restaurant Companies.
Thank you
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| __________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Event costs
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MN.B. For ‘Children’ coming to the family gathering, please contact me for prices and further details.
Please could you could let me know whether you will be able to come to the Gathering.
I apologise for asking, but I would also be grateful for a 10% deposit to be sent with
your Registration and Special Events forms, in order for me to provide firm bookings to
both the Coach and Restaurant Companies.
Thank you
Ang and I do hope that you may be able to attend this, the second Gathering of members of the
Powditch family, and we look forward to hearing from you. However, for a quick indication re the above,
I'd be grateful if you would complete the following ‘tear-off’ section and let me know your intentions by return; (my address, email, fax and phone details are at the top of this letter).
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Thank you
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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I (and ..... others) will be coming to the 2006 Powditch Family Gathering (My name is .................................)
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I (and ..... others) won't be coming to the 2006 Powditch Family Gathering (My name is ..............................)
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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The Powditch Family’s Second World Gathering 14 September- 17 September 2006
Registration Form
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Schedule of Events
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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Thursday 14 September
 Registration (4.15 PM to 6.40 PM at Village Hall, Morston). A big welcome to Powditch family members. Issue of name-badges; provision of Information Wallets, programmes etc; Socialising; International Picture Quiz (world celebrities and places) with a Prize. Coffee or tea and biscuits will be available. Powditch Family General Meeting (6.45pm - 7.15pm at Village Hall, Morston). Providing an ideal opportunity to discuss what the family wants to do regarding future Powditch Gatherings. Would it be a good idea to host ‘smaller’ (i.e. non-worldwide) Powditch Gatherings in individual Countries, such as (but not restricted to) Australia, Chile and New Zealand, or should we carry on the Gatherings in the ‘mother’ (i.e. England) country? In view of recent ‘fears’, what should happen to the Powditch website after my decease? As family members decided that it would be best for Powditch research and the maintenance of the Powditch Archive to continue in its present format, even though it should be, in some way, ‘funded’, what suggestions can be made re this? and in view of many family members having made notable achievements in their lives, what comments would be forthcoming re the possibility of creating an (annual) Powditch award. Present at the meeting will be Joc Wingfield who is a founder member of the Wingfield Society (an international Family History Society) who will share with us all the latter’s achievements etc.m
Family Meal (7.45pm onwards. Red Lion at Stiffkey). Drinks will be available.m
Friday 15 September
Coach Trip to Bale Church, Walsingham, Wells-next-the-Sea, North Creake Church and Creake Abbey Farm. (9.00am - 6.00pm. Meet outside Anchor Inn at 8.55am). This tour takes us through the lovely Norfolk countryside to the village of Bale and to its ancient Church where several 17th and 18th century Powditch’s worshipped, were baptised, married and buried. The Church visit is a 5
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must, not only to hear about the Poodick’s, and to marvel at the Bale Oak story, but especially to see
its early stained glass. Afterwards, we go to nearby Walsingham, where we will be met by Mrs Scilla Landale who will take us on a guided tour of the village, with its shrines, ancient Abbey grounds, Court House and Prison, whilst allowing us to have some welcome refreshments along the way. After the tour, we have the option of either going on to Wells via the ‘Wells & Walsingham Light Railway Co’s narrow-gauge railway (open and closed carriages) or going to Wells on the Coach. At the waterfront town and sea-port of Wells-next-the-Sea, to which several members of the Powditch family came to live (from Morston) in the late 1600s, and from where most of today’s Australian, American, Canadian, and English/Welsh/Scottish families can trace their descent, we will all meet up for the Coach to take us down into the town. Here we will have time for a short tour to see where Powditch forbears’ lived (hopefully a guided tour), plus some time to shop in the town’s narrow streets, before going on to
North Creake Church, where another branch of ‘Powdich’ was prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries. Here are Powdich graves inside the Church, two of the Bells in the Church Tower have Powdich
names on them, and several family members occupied important parochial positions. Not far away is Creake Abbey, where we next travel to, which although partly ruined, is an ideal location for looking around and taking a group photograph, before - at 4.15pm - we are expected at Creake Abbey farm (next door), for afternoon tea, by the owners. This house, which is in extensive grounds, was the
home of the Powdich family for approximately 100 years during the 1600s and 1700s. On our return journey, we will pass through local villages, and are due to arrive back in Morston (Anchor Inn) by 6.00pm. For anyone who wishes to return to their accommodation, there will be a rest/relaxing
period of approx’ 1hr 10mins before the Family evening begins.
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Talk on the subject of Salthouse Parish Registers (7.15pm - 7.45pm. Village Hall, Morston). Salthouse, which is a coastal hamlet along the Norfolk coast, not far from Blakeney, may or may not have been involved with members of the Powdich family who lived close by. Of interest however will be to discover what happened to the Salthouse post-1538 Parish Registers, why they have been involved in a major conservation project, and what can be discovered from the writing on their preserved pages. This talk is being provided by Norfolk Record Office.m
Reception and Family Meal (7.45pm onwards in the Red Lion at Stiffkey). The Meal - which is to be a special meal for a special family - is being held in the Red Lion at Stiffkey, and besides a wonderful Menu, drinks will be available.6
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Drinks for before, during and after the meal, will be available at the Bar
Please note that there are either special rates for Children for the meals, or other meals are available
for those aged under 12 years old. Please contact me for further details.
m
Before the meal, the Powditch Family Prayer will be read as Grace.
m
After the meal there will be a Raffle (Prizes will be displayed before the meal). Tickets for the Raffle will
be on sale during the Family Meal. All proceeds from the Auction and Raffle will go to the Friends of
Morston Church Appeal.
m
Saturday 16 September
m
Coach Trip to Norfolk Fenlands, including Upwell, the Podike, Wiggenhall St. Peter and Kings Lynn (9.00am - 6.00pm. Meet outside Anchor Inn at 8.55am). A tour through the Norfolk countryside and villages, heading inland and north-west to the villages of Emneth (passing through), and Upwell, where we will stop to view this ancient Church, where Powditchs worshipped in the years before 1200 right through to the 1600s. After seeing the wonders of this Church, we will walk along the canal-sided road to the Five Bells Hotel for a Bar Meal (and comfort stop) before moving on. Passing the Church and village of Outwell, we travel across the flat fenlands - which Powditchs’ of centuries past would still recognise - to one of the last remaining stretches of the ancient Podike, where (dependant upon the weather and height of local crops) we might have a chance to walk along part of its length. From the Podike, we travel on to the (maintained) ruin of the Church of Wiggenhall St.Peter where, in 1528, one Thomas Podych was the Vicar. After a short stop to view the Church, and to marvel at the close proximity of the adjacent Dyke to the houses, we go to the ancient port of King’s Lynn, and to its Trinity Guildhall, not far from the tidal estuary. Here we will be visiting the latter building, in which is housed not only an exhibition entitled ‘Tales of the Old Gaol-House’, but also where we will be able to see some of the Regalia belonging to the Town’s past Mayors, and where we will also be able to view the original ‘Red Book’, in which is recorded the period when Robert Podyche was Mayor of the Town - the year being 1492 ! After King’s Lynn, we will be heading ‘home’ to Morston, where we are due to arrive by 6.00pm. As per yesterday’s trip, should anyone wish to return to their accommodation, there will be a rest/relaxing period of approx’ 1hr 10mins before the Family evening begins. M
Reception and Family Meal (7.45pm onwards at the Red Lion at Stiffkey). A special meal for a special family - is being held at the Red Lion at Stiffkey, and besides the wonderful Menu, drinks will be available from the bar. Prior to the meal, John C Algar (Powditch Family Historian) and Joc Wingfield (Morston Co-ordinator) will introduce you to some of the weekend’s Organisers, each giving a short welcome to the Powditch family.
After the meal there will be an Auction and a Raffle (Lots and Prizes will be displayed before the meal).
Tickets for the Raffle will be on sale at the Reception and during the Family Meal. All proceeds from the
Auction and Raffle will go to the Friends of Morston Church Appeal.
It is also hoped that the Old Wild Rovers, who sang so well for us in 2004, will once again sing shanties
and other songs, some of them endowed with a Powditch flavour, and some on Norfolk subjects.
m
Sunday 17 September
m
A Family Service, at All Saints Church, Morston (9.00am - 10.00am). The Service will be taken by the Revd. Joanna Anderson, Vicar of Morston, and it is hoped that a local choir may be able attend. Although the ‘finer points’ are still to be completed, we hope to have some family members participating in the service, including the reading of a Lesson, a young family member to read the Powditch Family Prayer, and the laying of a wreath in memory of our Morston ancestors c1530s - c1750s. Special Guests will be invited to join us at the Service.m
Guided Tour (10.30am - 12.30am. Meet at Blakeney Quay at 10.30am (travel there in own vehicles). John and Pam Peake, Local Historians and Custodians of the Blakeney Historical Centre, are to be our Guides this morning, for a tour around the Powditch village of Blakeney. We will walk around the village, exploring the various lanes, looking at local properties, visiting Blakeney’s Church, and discovering much about the Powditch families who lived, worked and worshipped here. Afterwards we return to Morston (Village Hall) for 1.00pm m
Fond farewells and ‘Until we meet again’. (Village Hall, Morston, 1.00pm to 1.30pm). Fond farewells and promises to see each other at the next Powditch Family Gathering. Yes, not only have we had advance information that family members are hoping that there will be a future Gathering, but based on that, we've already begun planning for one in 2008! Whilst I am aware that it is the usual procedure for Family History Society gatherings to charge a “Registration Fee” to cover administration costs, etc, as you are aware, I have never made any charge
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to the Powditch Family for any of my activities. I therefore will not be charging any fee for your Registration. I would however be most appreciative for your early reply (preferably before 1 May 2006)
to the enclosed Invitation, as well as to which of the above Events you will attend.
M
Although I have managed to keep amounts for the chargeable events to their cost prices (with the exception of Coach travel**), I would be grateful to receive your money (£sterling; A$; NZ$; US$ etc) for those events at which you will be present, especially as I have to book the Coaches and Venues well in advance of the weekend, and therefore will have to pay deposits ‘up front’. Should you be paying by cheque, please will you make them payable to “John C Algar” (Accounts and Receipts will be provided
for all monies received and paid out, and will be available for viewing at the Powditch Family General
Meeting on Thursday 14 September 2006. A ‘Profit and Loss’ sheet is also accessible from <http://www.powditch.plus.com/2006PowditchGathering/profit_and_loss_details.htm>. Besides the above, and although I don't really like to ask, as Banks make a £7 surcharge for converting
non-British currency into £s, I would be grateful if you could add the current exchange rate for
£7 to the total amount you intend to send. (Any ‘savings’ I am able to make in surcharges, I will
repay to you during the ‘Gathering’ weekend). Thank you.
(Re Coach travel**; In view of my not knowing in advance as to how many family members will be
attending this year’s Gathering, I have had to base the cost per person (for Coach travel) on there being
a minimum of 20 persons attending. The Coaches hired, are 32-seaters, and whilst it would be great to
have all 32 seats occupied and paid for, I do have to err on the cautious side when evaluating the cost of
travel per person. To provide a better understanding of the latter, the actual cost of Coach hire for
Saturday’s tour, is £296, which - if all 32 seats were occupied and paid for - would give a cost price
for each person, of £9.25. However, at this moment, no-one has actually booked to come to the event -
even though I've had a fair bit of interest - and so I must base my figures on a minimum attendancy
figure of 20 persons, which then equates to approximately £15.00 per person (and such price will cover
the cost of the Coach hire). All I can say at the moment, is that should we have a full coach on each day,
I am fully prepared to refund the difference, or (based on your comments re same) I could donate the
difference to the Friends of Morston Church, or I would otherwise follow your instructions.
M
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
m
As I do not know what type of Accommodation you will require during the event period of
14 September - 17 September 2006, I can only advise that within the immediate vicinity* of Morston,
there are many Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, and Cottages for Holiday rent.
(*Approximate distances from Morston to local villages, are as follows;- to Blakeney = 1 mile;
Wiveton = 2 miles; Cley-next-the-Sea = 2½ miles; Binham = 3½ miles; Holt = 6 miles;
Wells-next-the-Sea = 6 miles; Great Snoring = 10 miles)
m
If you have a computer with an internet connection, I can recommend the websites
www.norfolkcoast.co.uk and www.glavenvalley.co.uk where you will be able to see and obtain details
of various forms of Accommodation, including Hotels, Self-Catering, Bed & Breakfast, Pubs & Inns,
Guest Houses, Camping & Caravanning Sites, - all of which are available in and around Morston.
(Best to book accommodation within say a 10 - 15 mile radius of Morston in order to get there easily
for trips etc). If you aren't able to use a computer, and/or should you require any further information re
the event, please will you either write to me at the address shown at the beginning of this form,
telephone me on 01792 234554 (or International Code +44 1792 234554), or e-mail me (using as
the Subject line; “2006 Powditch event”), on
 and I will be pleased to help in any way I can.M
In the meantime, I look forward not only to receiving your response to the Second Powditch Gathering
at Morston in September 2006, but also to seeing you there. Incidentally, details re the weekend,
together with any updates etc will be shown on the main page of the Powditch website, at
You can also gain lots of information about Morston, its History, Village,
Church, and Inhabitants (both past and present) by looking at the section on the Powditch website
relating to Morston, at www.powditch.plus.com/Morston/our_church.htm
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You are here: home > 2006PowditchGathering > Full Details re the 2006 Powditch Family
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Full Details re the
Powditch Family's 2nd World Gathering
14 - 17 September 2006
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Contact (snail-mail) Address:
John C Algar (Powditch Family Historian)
5a Southgate Road, Southgate, Gower, Swansea, UK, SA3 2BT
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