Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre opens for the season on Saturday. An award-winning Mid Wales pilgrimage centre reopens on Saturday, March 23 with a new name and a day of activities to celebrate its 10th anniversary year. Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre, the new name for Mary Jones World at Llanycil, Bala, tells the story of a local Welsh girl who inspired a global movement that changed the lives of millions. The centre shares the inspirational story of Mary Jones, whose epic 26–mile barefoot journey to buy a Welsh Bible led to the foundation of Bible Society, a global movement which is now active in over 240 countries and territories across the world. To celebrate the opening of the new season with a new name, there will be a presentation by Elin Owen, from the Diocese of Bangor’s Pererin Project at 10.30am, a short drama of the Mary Jones story at 1pm and a presentation at 3pm by Mary Thomas, author of ‘The Mary Jones Walk’. Also available throughout the day will be creative prayer stations with Coleg y Bala and children’s crafts. Pilgrim Café will be serving light lunches, homemade cakes and drinks. The visitor experience, set on the edge of the breathtaking Llyn Tegid, allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of Mary Jones with displays and interactive content in a Grade 2 listed building. Complete with a picnic area, café and children’s playground, the Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre offers a great time out for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed into the centre or the graveyard. However, well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Pilgrim Café and other areas of the site. The café offers a selection of hot drinks, tasty homemade cakes and light lunches from local suppliers. Group bookings are available on request. Visitors from around the world have been welcomed over the past decade and the centre, which opened in October 2014, has listened to feedback that the name Mary Jones World doesn’t accurately represent the experience. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received so far and hope the public will join us in this new, exciting chapter for the centre,” said a spokesperson. The centre is open Wednesday to Sunday from March 23 to September 29 from 10am to 4pm in addition to Bank Holiday Mondays. For more information including enquiries and bookings contact Tel: 0808 1784 909 / 01678521877 or visit www.maryjones.org.uk .
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The Montgomery Canal. This year’s Montgomery Canal Forum, to be be held at the Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool on Monday, April 22 at 2.30pm, will cover developments on the canal in Powys and Shropshire and plans for its future. Presentations will include the new Schoolhouse Bridge, the last highway blockage in Shropshire, rebuilt by contractors in a volunteer-led project entirely funded by donations from supporters, private companies and charitable trusts. Volunteers are restoring the canal channel in Shropshire supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and other grants, while a Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal is supporting future restoration. Presentations will also cover multi-million pound Levelling-Up projects in Powys, nurturing nature and embracing ecological stewardship in the canal restoration and Heulwen Trust, possibly the world’s first boat trip for vulnerable and less abled adults and children. The forum is open to anyone interested in the restoration and development of the Montgomery Canal with its social, economic and environmental benefits for present and future generations. There will be an opportunity to discuss any issue concerning the future of the Montgomery Canal and its contribution to the area. Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust chairman Michael Limbrey said, "Major works are under way to extend the isolated section of canal in Powys and at the same time volunteers are hard at work to restore the canal to the Shropshire border at Llanymynech. “Restoration ensures a safe and accessible towpath, protects the canal’s valuable ecology and its historic canal-age structures and ensures an amenity for water sports as well as boating visitors: all topics that will be covered at the forum. “The Montgomery Canal is part of a network of waterways which extends from Newtown to London’s Docklands and deep into Yorkshire. Many miles of once neglected canal have been reopened to become attractive features enjoyed by visitors and residents in towns like Llangollen, Brecon, Stratford-on-Avon and Droitwich. “We believe that the restored Montgomery Canal will be valuable in making the borderlands of Shropshire and Powys a great place for visitors and for residents to live, work and enjoy.” Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear stormed to a fourth consecutive Get Jerky Rally North Wales win on Saturday with a breathtaking performance that saw them win each one of the event’s eight stages. The 27-year-old driver was untouchable in the world-famous forests of Dyfnant, Dyfi and Gartheiniog, taking his Ford Fiesta R5 to a sensational win and his fourth in a row at the Welshpool-based event. Blasting through the tricky conditions, which were made even more treacherous by persistent rain during the day, Hirst returned a faultless drive to win the Interclub section of the event by a staggering three minutes, getting his Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title defence underway in fine style. “When you look back at the history of this event, there are some top drivers that have won it. I’m really proud to have added my name to that list four times in a row,” said an elated Hirst. “It’s a challenging event but one that I look forward to every year. There were some really difficult conditions out there today, especially this afternoon. It was bouncing it down and rivers were running across the stages. “To be fair, we had a big moment on the last stage where it aquaplaned but we scooped it up. It may have looked easy [the winning margin] but it was anything but easy.” The nearest challenge came from Irishman Dan O`Brien who made the trip over in his Ford Fiesta WRC with Mark Glennerster on the notes. O’Brien found himself down in fifth overall after the opening Gartheiniog test but soon found the pace required to work his way up the leaderboard, eventually scooping second overall on a rare gravel outing. Rounding out the podium were Mitsubishi EvoIX driver James Giddings and co-driver Aled Davies. Initially, the crew managed to haul their older specification Mitsubishi up to second behind Hirst but lost a chunk of time in the Big Ray stage and had to settle for third. The race for the National section top spot was an altogether different affair as contenders in the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship battled it out throughout the day in a close-run affair. George Lepley’s Mitsubishi Galant VR4 took the early advantage before being sidelined, which sparked a fascinating battle for victory. In the end, it was Nick Elliot and Dave Price who finally stood on the top step of the podium taking their FIAT 131 Abarth to a long-awaited victory, their first since 2021. “That's the first one in the Fiat and the first one in a couple of years, so yeah I’m really pleased with that,” said Elliott. “I said from the start the car was that much better from the word go, it was actually making me sweat on most stages. “As ever, the pace at the front has been ferocious, with five or six drivers, all with great talent and pace, but we had just a little bit extra today and nicked it. But that’s not bad for an old Fiat and not bad for an old boy like me!” The second spot went to Yorkshireman Daniel Mennell in his Ford Escort MKII. He and co-driver Richard Wise only entered the series at the start of the season and, on only Mennell’s second event in the BHRC, took an impressive runner-up spot against stiff competition. Rounding out the Historic podium was Seb Perez and Gary McElhinney in their Porsche 911. The young Derbyshire driver returned a giant-killing performance to seal third, fresh from winning a rally in Mallorca the previous weekend. The popularity of the rally was recognised on Saturday when the spectator car park in the Dyfnant stage reached capacity as motorsport fans flocked to the region to witness the impressive drivers in each category blast through the forests. The lure of rally legend and local hero Gwyndaf Evans was apparent and the onlookers were not disappointed. The Dolgellau driver hurled his Ford Escort MKII through the trees in fine style during the day. Making his first appearance in the event since 2010 and first gravel rally since 2014, Evans rapidly bedded back into the driver’s seat and despite feeling like he “needed some WD40”, took fourth in the Historics with Dale Furness alongside. Running alongside the event, the Mini Rally Challenge tackled just four of the stages, offering a cost-effective platform for the 14 BMW Minis which enjoyed their own battles during the morning. Jacob Neal and Russell Thompson were the eventual victors. Organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club, the event was once again sponsored by the Welshpool-based Get Jerky brand of beef jerky snacks and attracted an impressive entry of more 100 cars which tackled the rally. Images credit: Russ Otway / 90Right Archbishop of Wales the Most Rev Andy John during a previous visit to Talyllyn Railway. The clergy’s love of trains and railways is covered in a new book to be launched by Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Andy John, at Tywyn on Saturday, March 23. ‘Reverend Enthusiasts’ is the third book from Nigel Adams in the series of ‘Talyllyn Railway Recollections’ from specialist publisher Mortons Books. This book has been written jointly with fellow Talyllyn Railway. volunteer Bob Cambridge. Nigel will also be launching a second book, entitled ‘The Fairbourne Railway Recollections’, on the same day. A retired Anglican Priest, who served in Coventry, he now lives in Tywyn and has been volunteering on Talyllyn Railway for more 40 years. Both books will be officially launched in the Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum at Tywyn Wharf station at 1.30pm by the Archbishop of Wales, a long-time supporter and honorary member of Talyllyn Railway. The Archbishop joins a long line of clerics who have loved and continue to love trains and railways. One of the most famous was author the Rev W. V. Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine and a volunteer guard on Talyllyn Railway. He was probably the first of a number of enthusiastic clerics to become members of Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, joining in 1952, the second year of its foundation. A new funding opportunity has been launched to support Ceredigion County Council’s commitment to attract more international or national events to Ceredigion.
In a press release issued by the Council: "The UKSPF Cynnal y Cardi Events Programme Fund for Ceredigion is part of a wider suite of programmes being delivered in Ceredigion, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Tourism is an economic sector of vital importance to Ceredigion, representing the third largest employer in the County and we are keen to build on this sector and attract new visitors to the area. The UKSPF 2022-2025 is a central pillar of the UK government’s ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK. It provides three years funding for local investment. The focus of Cynnal y Cardi’s Events Programme Fund will be on:
The minimum grant available is £30,000 with the maximum grant available being £100,000. Each grant award will be subject to meeting grant criteria. As to ensure project eligibility, interested applicants must read the guidance notes carefully and send a short brief, outlining their idea (bullet point format) and a breakdown of expenditure to ce.cynnalycardi@ceredigion.gov.uk before starting on the application form." More information on how you can submit an application can be found here: Cynnal y Cardi UK Shared - Ceredigion County Council The Silver Mountain Experience visitor attraction, based at a silver-lead mine near Aberystwyth, is preparing for a choc-tastic new event this Easter. Running from March 26 to April 11, this exciting experience will give visitors the chance to meet Mr Balcombe, the mine manager, who is diversifying into chocolate making! The busy and somewhat eccentric businessman is just beginning this new venture and is inviting visitors to help him get his chocolate franchise fully up and running. Included in the visit will be a tour with Mr Balcombe himself, as he explains how he is embarking on the challenge of making chocolate and shows visitors around the mine equipment he is repurposing into chocolate producing machines. Visitors will also be able to undertake their own chocolate challenge, a quest to help Balcombe produce his ‘Balcombe Bar’ and sell it in his sweet shop. To win the reward, visitors will need to find all of the silver tickets to complete the challenge. Rumour has it there will be some scrumptious surprises around too… maybe even a chocolate fountain and marshmallows in the onsite Miner’s Rest Café – a small extra charge applies. As well as the Easter activities, visitors will be able to join a choice of guided and actor-led tours. Families with young explorers can enjoy the interactive ‘A Dragon’s Tale’ tour, an adventure to find Silver Mountain’s shy and secretive dragon, Grotty. For those who are feeling brave, ‘The Black Chasm’ is a thrilling experience delving deep into the ancient myths, Welsh legends and gruesome mining history of Mid Wales. ‘A Miner’s Life’ guided tour is a must for those interested in a fascinating journey into the history of the mines. There are also a variety of other attractions included within the price of the entry tickets. Children will love running wild in Woo Hoo Woods, having fun in the play areas and taking part in the various trails and puzzles. For those wanting to learn more about the site’s history, the mining museum is packed full of fascinating facts and mining machinery, tools and ephemera. There’s also Ultimate Xscape onsite, featuring two thrilling escape room experiences. Head to www.ultimatexscape.co.uk to find out more and book a slot. The Miner’s Rest Café will be serving a delicious range of snacks, cakes, lunches, hot drinks and tasty Easter treats. The café is open to visitors even if they are not visiting any of the attractions and delicious, freshly prepared afternoon teas can be pre-booked. The neighbouring Red Kite Café will also be open, serving delicious breakfasts and meals. Find out more and book your tickets online at www.silvermountainexperience.co.uk/easterfun/ .More information about the Red Kite Café is available at: www.redkitecafe.co.uk Matt Hirst aims for three in a row at the Get Jerky Rally North Wales. The Get Jerky Rally North Wales returns to Welshpool for the second successive year on Saturday [March 16] as some of the most closely fought rally series in the country head for the nearby forests to do battle.
Sponsored once again by the Welshpool-based Get Jerky brand of beef jerky snacks, the popular gravel stage rally, organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club has attracted an impressive entry of over 100 cars. They will tackle world-famous rally stages, such as Dyfnant and Gartheiniog, in an action-packed day of motorsport in the region. A revised format for 2024 sees the Welshpool Livestock Market become the hub of the rally all weekend, with pre-event formalities taking place at the facility on Friday. The location will also host the ceremonial start at 07:30am on Saturday, mid-event service and then the finish celebrations at around 4:45pm. The stages themselves will be alive with top-drawer talent from the Fuchs Lubricants Motorsport UK British Historic Rally Championship and Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship. They will be joined by contenders in the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the MINI Rally Challenge. Top seed in the Historic field is Riponian Rally winner George Lepley and co-driver Dale Bowen in their impressive Mitsubishi Galant VR4. The stunning machine was a fan-favourite in Yorkshire last month and the pairing will undoubtedly be looking to add a second win to their tally this season. Joe Price and Chris Brooks lead the Ford Escort MKII march in their regular Rally North Wales outing. They won the Historic category last year, but only by three seconds in a final stage thriller. They will be chased down by British Historic Rally Championship [BHRC] leaders Matt Robinson and Sam Collis. Nick Elliott and Dave Price resume their BHRC title chase in their stunning FIAT 131 Abarth and have valuable experience of the stages, thanks to being former winners of the event. Seb Perez and Gary McElhinney bring the noise with their raucous Porsche 911, whilst 2021 BHRC champions Ben Friend and Cliffy Simmons return to the series after a year away in their Escort MKII. Whetting the appetite of rally fans across the UK, an exciting name appears inside the top 10 this year in the form of 1996 British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans. The Dolgellau driver will pilot a Ford Escort MKII and hasn’t been on gravel since 2014 but is always an entertaining watch. Having supported son Elfyn in the World Rally Championship for many years, appearances are rare, but the popular driver makes his first appearance in the event since 2010. Dale Furniss will co-drive. If that wasn’t enough, another former British champion turned film stunt driver, Mark Higgins, will make a rare appearance on the stages in a Triumph TR7 V8. The three-time title holder is also the man behind many of the James Bond car scenes but swaps the tux for a Triumph for the weekend, with Carl Williamson on the notes. Back-to-back Rally North Wales winners Matt Hirst and Declan Dear head up the main field and four-wheel drive charge in their Fiesta R5. Trevor Gamble and Phil Kenny are the second seeds in their Rally2 version of the Fiesta whilst Dan O’Brien makes a rare outing in the UK in his Fiesta World Rally Car alongside Mark Glennerster. A wealth of top-flight crews will be fighting for honours in the forests and fans will be able to catch up with the cars and crews at a variety of venues during the day. Welshpool Livestock Market hosts the start, with crews leaving from 7:30am on Saturday. Access is free and offers a chance to view the cars up close. Two excellent viewing areas are available in the forests with Big Ray offering the first opportunity from 9:15am. The stage is accessed from the A487 at Esgairgeliog and is run twice during the day, the second pass at 2:20pm. Dyfnant is also run twice, with the first passing at 10:50am and the second, and final stage of the rally, at 4pm. The test can be found off the B4395, just north of Llangadfan on the A458. Access to each Spectator Stage costs £15 per car, per location and 50 per cent of the car park proceeds are donated to local charitable organisations. Crews will return to Welshpool Livestock Market at 4:45pm for the finish celebrations and once again access is free for all. For more information and to see further details for spectators, visit: www.rallynorthwales.co.uk/spectators . Janna Turner (centre) with Alex Johnstone (left) and Deborah Taylor Dyer with the Flock2Flight display. One of the star attractions at this year’s Wonderwool Wales, the award-winning show that celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres, will be an engaging display of felted birds. The ‘Flock2Flight’ display, which measures 10 metres by three metres, is the creation of fibre artist Janna Turner and two friends, Alex Johnstone and Deborah Taylor Dyer. Wonderwool Wales is being held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on April 27 and 28, with 220 exhibitors. Janna Turner, Alex Johnstone and Deborah Taylor Dyer with Dave Turner and Martin Dyer who helped set up the Flock2Flight display. Both Shepton Mallet based Janna, who runs Flocks2Felts, and Alex are no strangers to Wonderwool Wales. Janna was project lead and felting advisor to a special, eight-metre long exhibition entitled Alice in Wonderwool in 2022. The eye-catching, hand crafted interpretation of Alice in Wonderland installation featured an array of captivating characters, all crafted from felt and fibre. This year, Janna will be featuring colourful birds in the display, some of which include wooden mechanics to make them fly. For example, there’s a small flock of swallows that fly in circles, a zipwire bird, a diving kingfisher, bird marionettes and hand puppets. Janna has received help from her farmer husband, Dave, in putting together the wooden mechanics for the birds. Largest of the static birds is two metre pelican and there’s also a flying phoenix with specially made clay talons, flamingos, a peregrine falcon and many more. “There are about 20 different types of bird and I have designed the display to be interactive,” said Janna, who worked in a bird sanctuary in Cape Town before moving to England in 2003. “When we did the Alice in Wonderwool display in 2022, people were not allowed to touch the exhibits. This time, I will be encouraging people to engage with the birds and have a play as they walk around. I just love seeing their reactions. There are also hand puppets for people to take selfies with. “The display made its debut at Bath and West Showground last November and it took a couple of months for us to make all the birds. I am looking forward to taking it to Wonderwool Wales, as it will be nice to see familiar faces again.” Money raised by the display will be donated to the Wales Air Ambulance, Wonderwool Wales’ adopted charity. Tickets for the award-winning, two-day show, which traditionally attracts more than 6,000 visitors, can be purchased online in advance at https://wonderwoolwales.ticketsrv.co.uk . There will also be tickets for sale at the gate costing £12 per day or £22 for the weekend. Young people aged 16 years and under have free admission. This year’s event will see nine Woolschool afternoon workshops each day which has required the organisers to book extra space on the showground. The Woolschools, which give visitors the chance to learn or perfect their skills with help from an expert, can be booked online by the Wonderwool Wales website. Another popular feature, the Sheep Walk fashion show, will keep the audience entertained on both days. This year, all Wonderwool Wales visitors are being encouraged to knit, crochet or make and wear their own beanie or hat to add colour to the event. Stewards will be awarding vouchers to the best hats on both days. Wonderwool Wales was first held in 2006 to promote the market for Welsh wool and to add value to products made by small wool and fibre producers in Wales. The festival celebrates the green credentials of Welsh wool and its versatility as a material for creative crafts, designer clothes, home furnishings and more. Wonderwool Wales covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process. Exhibits of sheep, raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books can be found alongside superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings. Find out more about the 2024 show at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk , like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Twitter @wonderwoolwales Janna Turner with one of the bird marionettes.
The Smallholding and Countryside Festival returns to the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on May 18 and 19.
The weekend event is a celebration of rural life with smallholding pursuits at its heart, showcasing the real diversity of the Welsh countryside. Together with an array of display ring attractions, competitions, children's activities, shopping trade stands, live music and delicious food and drink, the festival promises to be a fantastic day out for all. Entries for livestock and equine competitions are now open and competitors can view the schedules and enter online at https://rwas.wales/smallholding-and-countryside-festival/competitions-festival/ . With more than 600 livestock classes and special awards for sheep, pigs, goats and cattle, many of which are for traditional, rare and native breeds, there is an opportunity for everyone to get involved. Entries close on Wednesday, April 3. The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has announced that this year’s festival will host qualifiers for the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Royal International Horse Show and Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL), British Show Pony Society (BSPS) and British Show Horse Association (BSHA) London International Horse Show. The event will again host the Premier Open Dog Show. Entries are now open for the 2025 Crufts Qualifier where rosettes, prizemoney and quality pet food are all up for grabs for the winning canines. Postal entries close Tuesday, April 9 and online entries close Tuesday, April 30. Go to the FDS website https://www.fossedata.co.uk/shows/Royal-Welsh-Agricultural-Society-Ltd-May-2023.aspx to view the schedules and to enter. The Smallholders Centre will continue to be the main port of call for those wanting to learn more about the smallholder’s way of life, with talks and demos from the Glamorgan Smallholders networking and support group. It’s also the ideal place to stock up on essentials from the agricultural trade stands. The Country Life Area will feature the Premier Open Dog Show (Crufts 2025 Qualifier), Panic Family Circus, The Woodville Medieval Re-enactment Group, petting farm, donkey encounter, forestry competitions and sporting and countryside activities, all accompanied by live music from the bandstand. The Festival Display Ring has a jam-packed bill of entertainment, including Dangerous Steve’s thrilling quad and motorbike stunt show, Paws for Thought Dog Display Team, show jumping and working hunter competitions, Scurry Driving and Meirion Owen and his sheepdogs. Meirionnydd Shearing Centre will host wool handling and blade shearing competitions throughout the weekend, demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers, a vintage shearing display and wool related trade stands. Entries for the wool handling and blade shearing competitions are due to open in late March. It wouldn’t be a Royal Welsh event without showcasing the best food and drink produce that Wales has to offer. There will be a chance to sample delicious goods in the renowned Food Hall and get a bite to eat at food stalls in the Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast. The Royal Welsh Showground is easily accessible from all routes and is located where the A470 and A483 cross at Builth Wells. This event is dog-friendly and has plenty of free onsite parking. Tickets for the festival are available online. Early-bird adult tickets are £18, children’s tickets are £5 and there’s also a family ticket. Discounted tickets are available for RWAS members until April 30. Visit https://rwas.wales/ for more information about the festival and to buy tickets.
Kerry Vale Vineyard has been recognised as one of the 100 best producers in the UK. Their commitment to excellence is supported by the numerous national and international awards they have gained since they began in 2010. Join Kerry Vale for a Trade Tasting Event On Friday, April 12, Kerry Vale Vineyard invite you to the vineyard for an exclusive trade tasting event. Sample their exquisite wines, meet their passionate winegrowers, and explore potential partnerships. Whether you’re a boutique hotel, a cosy B&B or a local restaurant, Kerry Vale wines can elevate your guests’ experience. Event Details: • Date: Friday, April 12, 2024 • Time: 1PM - 2:30 PM • Location: Kerry Vale Vineyard, Pentreheyling, SY15 6HU Supporting Local Businesses: A Win-Win for All Kerry Vale Vineyard is not just about exceptional wines; it’s about fostering strong ties within our community. Here’s why supporting local businesses matters: 1. Authentic Experiences: Tourists seek authenticity. When they visit Shropshire or Powys, they want more than just a place to stay; they crave an authentic local experience. By featuring Kerry Vale wines, you’re offering guests a taste of the region’s rich heritage and terroir. 2. Environmental Impact: Buying local reduces our carbon footprint. Transporting goods across long distances contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. By sourcing locally, you’re making a positive impact on the environment. 3. Family-Run and Large Businesses: Kerry Vale Vineyard welcome partnerships with both family-run establishments and larger businesses. Whether you’re a historic inn or a bustling hotel chain, Kerry Vale wines can enhance your offerings and delight your patrons. Join Kerry Vale Vineyard to discover and taste Shropshire’s finest wines and celebrate our borderland’s beautiful bounty. RSVP: To secure your spot at the tasting event, please contact Marketing & PR Manager, Nadine Roach; info@kerryvalevineyard.co.uk or call 01588 620627. If you are unable to make the tasting event but would like to find out more about collaborative working with the vineyard or stocking their wine please contact them to discuss your requirements. |
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