• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 2 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 3 Hartland's invitation

  • 4 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 5 Mobile missionary

  • 6 From Bobby to Brian

  • 7 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 8 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 9 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 10 First ship in 8 years

  • 11 Six footed lamb

  • 12 A story to tell!

  • 13 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 14 New shipyard on schedule

  • 15 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 16

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 17 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 18 New life for Hartland organ

  • 19 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 20 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 21 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 22 Artisans' Club

  • 23 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 24 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 25 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 26 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 27 Circus comes to town

  • 28 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 29 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 30 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 31 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 32 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 33 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 34 New Post Office

  • 35 Finished in 1876

  • 36 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 37 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 38 Can spring be far away?

  • 39 Just over a year old

  • 40 New Lundy stamps

  • 41 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 42 So this is the mainland!

  • 43 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 44 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 45

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 46 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 47 Capers on the cobbles

  • 48 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 49 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 50 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 51 Torrington children build igloo
  • 52 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 53 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 54 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 55

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 56 Emergency ferry services

  • 57

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 58 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 59 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 60 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 61 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 62 Some mushroom!

  • 63 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 64 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 65 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 66 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 67 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 68 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 69 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 70 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 71 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 72 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 73 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 74 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 75 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 76 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 77 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 78

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 79 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 80 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 81 Burnard family reunion

  • 82 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 83 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 84 Weare Giffard potato

  • 85 Waldon Triplets
  • 86 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 87 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 88 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 89 A man and his wheel

  • 90 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 91 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 92 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 93 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 94 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 95 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 96 Some 240 exhibits

  • 97 Pannier Market's future?

  • 98 North Devon Driving School

  • 99 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 100 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 101

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 102 A roof-top view - where?

  • 103 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 104 Life begins at 80

  • 105

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 106 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 107 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 108 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 109 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 110

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 111 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 112

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 113 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 114 New civic medallions

  • 115 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 116 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 117 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 118 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 119 Loads of black and white

  • 120 New addition to Quay front

  • 121 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 122 When horses score over the tractor

  • 123 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 124

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 125 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 126 Bideford loses training ship

  • 127 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 128 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 129 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 130 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 131 Riverside mystery

  • 132 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 133 Picking the pops

  • 134

    New gateway
  • 135 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 136 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 137

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 138 Hartland postman retires

  • 139

    Was a missionary
  • 140 Peter poses for TV film

  • 141 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 142 Simple Item 138
  • 143 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 144 Littleham family's five generations

  • 145 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 146 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 147 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 148

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 149 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 150 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 151 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 152 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 153 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 154 113 years at Instow

  • 155 A bird of their own!

  • 156

    Building works
  • 157 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 158 Centenary of Gazette

  • 159 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 160

    Exhibition of school work
  • 161 Revenge in style

  • 162 They are parted pro-tem

  • 163 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 164 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 165 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 166

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 167 Private home for public pump

  • 168 Northam footballers of the future

  • 169

    Bidefordians
  • 170 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 171 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 172 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 173 Sweets derationing

  • 174

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 175 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 176 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 177 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 178 Ten year old scrambler

  • 179 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 180 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 181 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 182 Torrington in 1967

  • 183 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 184 The Geneva marionettes

  • 185 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 186 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 187

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 188 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 189 Northam's almshouse

  • 190 Clovelly nightmare

  • 191

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 192 Variety in summer weather

  • 193 No laughing matter

  • 194 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 195 End of the line

  • 196 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 197

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 198 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 199 Bideford computer stars

  • 200 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 201 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 202 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 203 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 204 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 205 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 206 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 207 By pony and trap to market

  • 208 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 209 New art gallery opened

  • 210 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 211

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 212 Off on a great adventure

  • 213 Police station view of Bideford

  • 214 Traditions and skills still there

  • 215

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 216 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 217 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 218 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 219 Parkham plan realised

  • 220

    First prize
  • 221 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 222 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 223 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 224 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 225 New look in the hayfields

  • 226 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 227 All for the love of a lady!

  • 228 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 229 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 230 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 231 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 232 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 233 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 234 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 235 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 236 No sale of Springfield House

  • 237 Cruising down the river

  • 238 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 239 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 240 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 241 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 242 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 243

    Married in 1908
  • 244 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 245 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 246 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 247 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 248 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 249

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 250 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 251 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 252 Twenty-one yachts

  • 253 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 254 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 255 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 256 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 257 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 258 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 259 Bideford regatta

  • 260 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 261 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 262 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 263 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 264 Puppet characters introduced

  • 265 The cab at the corner>
  • 266 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 267 Ships at Bideford

  • 268 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 269 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 270 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 271 Bridging the stream

  • 272 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 273 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 274 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 275 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 276 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 277 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 278 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 279 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 280 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 281 Jumble sale fever

  • 282 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 283 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 284 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 285 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 286 Happy Days!

  • 287 For crying out loud!

  • 288 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 289 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 290 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 291 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 292 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 293 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 294 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 295

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 296 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 297

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 298 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 299 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 300 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 301 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 302 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 303 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 304 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 305 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 306 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 307 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 308 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 309 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 310 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 311 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 312 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 313 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 314 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 315

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 316 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 317 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 318 Out of puff!

  • 319 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 320 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 321 The art of the thatcher

  • 322 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 323 Torrington's new amenity

  • 324 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 325 It really was the 'last time'

  • 326 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 327 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 328 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 329 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 330 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 331 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 332 School crossing patrol begins

  • 333 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 334 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 335 New choral society's growing response

  • 336 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 337 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 338 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 339 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 340 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 341 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 342 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 343 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 344 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 345 Filming at Hartland

  • 346 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 347 Penny for the guy

  • 348 Modern living at Bideford

  • 349 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 350 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 351 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 352

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 353 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 354 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 355 Devil sent packing

  • 356 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 357 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 358 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 359 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 360 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 361 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 362 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 363

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 364 Hartland Dancers
  • 365 Warmington's garage ad

  • 366 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 367 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 368 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 369 Last train from Torrington

  • 370

    Relatives all over the world
  • 371 All aboard the ark

  • 372 Clovelly custom

  • 373 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 374 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 375 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 376 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 377 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 378 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 379 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 380 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 381 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 382 Decontrol of meat

  • 383 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 384 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 385 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 386 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 387 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 388 In their new robes and hats

  • 389 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 390 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 391 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 392 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 393 Recognise this resort?

  • 394 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 395 Sight of a lifetime

  • 396 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 397 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 398 He beat the floods

  • 399 Appledore's largest

  • 400 Service with a smile

  • 401 Picking the pops

  • 402 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 403 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 404 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 405 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 406 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 407 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 408 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 409 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 410 School's link with cargo ship

  • 411 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 412 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 413 What's the time?

3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • Christmas Eve at the Front

    An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Torrington Station's Brief Passenger Use Revival

Possibly the last passenger train to visit Torrington station did so on Saturday.

Torrington Station1 9.10.1970

It was full of railway enthusiasts from all over the country and was named the Exmoor Belle, travelling from Exeter to Ilfracombe and then to Meeth, via Torrington and back to Exeter.
The trip was arranged on the last day of the operation of the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe section of line.

Retired PC mourned at Torrington

Many friends attended the funeral service in St Michael’s Church, Torrington, for Mr Frederick John Allen, 105 Mill Street, Torrington. Mr Allen, who was 68, was a retired policeman.

1962 death of Mr Allen

The service was conducted by the Vicar of Torrington, Rev P G Harrison, and the organist was Miss M L Wright.
Principal mourners were: the widow, Dorothy and Steve, Pamela and Roger, Beatie and Gladys, Eddie and Cred, Mrs W Portman, Mrs Ivy Bryant and Hazel, Mr and Mrs T Mills, Mr Tony Avery.
The bearers were Messrs E Lawrence, M Burke, T Hammett, W Newcombe, P May and B Copp.
Others attending included Sergeant J Street and Constable Hancock, Mrs M Doyle, Mr E Johns, Mr and Mrs P May, Mr and Mrs E Lawrence, Mr Hammett, Mr and Mrs J Norman, Mr and Mrs B Norman, Miss Ethel Rowe, Mrs F J Bryan, Miss F Snell, Mrs W Blight, Mr and Mrs A Sutton, Mr and Mrs Martin Burke, Miss K Baker, Mrs Len Eastwood, Mrs S Blight, Mr S C Ward, Mr and Mrs Fred Vodden, Mr and Mrs C Winson, Mrs C R Popham, Mrs D Snell, Mrs Joe Davies, Mr J Quick and Mrs Charles Popham.
Floral tributes were from: May, Dorothy and Steve, Pamela and Roger, Beatie, Gladys and Monty, Cred and Eddie, Thelma, Laurie and Lyndon, Mr and Mrs W Allen, Ivy, Fred and family, Mr and Mrs Portman and Roy, Fred and Lily, Graham, Julia, Elizabeth and Jonathan, Doris, David and Ann, Ciss and Essie, Elsie, Graham, Heather and Michael, Win, Ted and Margaret, Chief Constable and members of Swansea Borough Police Force, Albert and Doris, Mr and Mrs Bonniwell, Mr Tayler, Mr and Mrs Matthews, Mr and Mrs E Lawrence, Emrys and Betty, S C Ward, Mr and Mrs F Sussex, Mrs Cole and family, Mr Tony Avery, Bill, Edie and Florrie, Mrs Holland and Florrie, Mr and Mrs Brown and Stanley, Mrs Snell and Dorothy, Mr and Mrs May and Alan, Mill Street and Taddiport Old Age Pensioners Association, Mr and Mrs J Norman and family, R W Hearn and family, K Sandford and G Dyer, Kathleen Baker, Mrs B Sussex and J Davies, Joyce Steer, Mr and Mrs J Reed, Elsie, Jack and Lionel, past president, president and all members of Swansea Devonian Society, Connie Thurston and Betty Tuck.
Funeral arrangements by Mr Ivor Combe, 72 New Street, Torrington.
Full Gazette article dated 12 October 1962

Another New Factory for Torrington?

A London bookbinding firm, W J Rawlinson Ltd, has put in plans to build a factory on a site at Calvesford, Torrington, but no definite decision to go ahead with the project has yet been made.

Torrington Factory 16.10.1970

If the firm decides to go ahead with it, it is understood part of the production will continue in London.
At Torrington Town Council meeting it was stated that planning approval for the new factory had been given subject to three conditions, one of them being the provision of sufficient car parking space for employees.
The Calvesford Road site was provided by the Council specially for industrial development, and main services and access roads were laid in preparation.

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