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2020-12-31-accounts

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WITHAM (CHARITY NO. 1133036)

ST NICOLAS' CHURCH CHIPPING HILL WITHAM CM8 2JS

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS - 2020

Team Rector Vacancy Associate Priest Revd Susan Malam Associate Priest Revd Christine Newmarch Pioneer Minister Revd Will Abbott

WITHAM PCC THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN THE TOWN OF WITHAM CENTRED ON THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST NICOLAS.

The Parish Church is on Chipping Hill in Witham. The correspondence address is:

The Parish Office, St Nicolas Church Hall, Chipping Hill, Witham. Essex CM8 2JS

In 2020 the Parochial Church Council has consisted of:

Revd Susan Malam, Associate Priest (SSM) ex officio Revd Christine Newmarch, Locally Deployed Self Supporting Associate Priest (LDSSM) Revd Will Abbott, (Pioneer Minster) (ordained priest 25 September 2020) Mr Andrew Rudd Church Warden (ex officio) & Vice Chair of the PCC

Ms Marian Mitchell Churchwarden (ex officio)

Mr Mike Robinson PCC Secretary (ex officio - Deanery Representative)

Mr John Hassler PCC Treasurer elected Mrs Jacqueline Hassler Assistant PCC Treasurer elected (until 25 October 2020) Mr Brian Smith Assistant PCC Treasurer elected (until 25 October 2020)

Mrs Jenny Robinson (ex officio Deanery Representative) ( Assistant PCC Treasurer) Mrs Christine Brown (ex officio - Deanery Representative) Mrs Lyn Corke (elected) Mr Rodney Cullum elected Mrs Paula Ellis elected (resigned 5 October 2020)

Mr Andrew Holt (ex officio - Deanery Representative) & Electoral roll officer Mr Rod Lane re-elected (25 October 2020)

Mr Trevor Myatt elected

Revd Christine Newmarch completed her curacy and was licensed as Associate Priest by the Bishop of Colchester on 2 September

The PCC Standing Committee comprises the two Churchwardens, the PCC Secretary and the PCC Treasurer.

The PCC Accounts are held by Barclays Bank plc, Witham and funds are also held by the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund, London.

The Independent Examiner is Mrs Ann Clarke, Witham.

Day to day management of the Parish was assumed by the Churchwardens and the PCC Treasurer.

St Nicolas’ Church is part of the Witham and Villages Team Ministry which has responsibility for the town of Witham and the neighbouring parishes of Terling, Fairstead, White Notley, Faulkbourne, Rivenhall and Silver End. Each parish has its own PCC. The Witham and Villages Team Ministry is also joined with the parish of Hatfield Peverel with Ulting to form the Pilgrim Rivers Mission and Ministry Unit (MMU).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC was exempted by order from registering with the Charity Commission until 2010 when it registered and was given the Charity number 1133036

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The PCC has seven accounts which must be spent on Restricted purposes as follows; (a) Abrey Trust

The Managing Trustees [the PCC] shall apply the clear income and at their discretion the whole or part of the property of the Church Charity in or towards rebuilding, repairing, enlarging, altering, furnishing and equipping the Church of St Nicolas in the said ecclesiastical parish.

(b) Church House Fund Under the control of the Incumbent & Churchwardens to be used to provide any building for the purposes of:

  1. Divine Worship } 2. Classes or Lectures } Connected with the 3. Meetings } Church 4. Clubs } 5. Clerical Meetings & Social Conferences }

  2. Any purpose in the opinion of the Incumbent & Churchwardens for improving conditions of the population of the Parish. Building may not be used in any way against the principles of the Church of England.

(c) Fabric Fund

Income & capital for upkeep of the fabric of St Nicolas church and churchyard.

(d) Graves Fund

Income for upkeep of graves.

(e) John Suddards Memorial Fund

Income and capital to provide discretionary funds in memory of the late Reverend John Suddards.

(f) Church Cleaning Fund

Income and capital for cleaning St Nicolas Church.

(g) Church Community Fund

Income and capital for Witham based hardship cases / people in urgent need of money. This fund is administered via Braintree Halstead & Witham CAB.

The appointment of PCC members is governed by and set out in the Church Representation Rules.

PCC members are recruited from the wider congregation, and all are encouraged to consider standing. New members are offered induction training by the Church Wardens on a one to one basis, and from time to time all members are briefed together on compliance with health and safety legislation, safeguarding, data protection and other like legislation. Members also have access to specific training events organised on a Deanery, Area or Diocesan basis, and provision is made for sharing information and skills gleaned at such events and for the dissemination of appropriate briefing documents.

The PCC Standing Committee did not meet during 2020 due to Covid virus restrictions. The following work was conducted by email correspondence:

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The PCC also has the following committees:

These committees did not meet during 2020 due to the Covid virus restrictions.

Working groups also report to the PCC as required

These working groups did not meet during 2020 due to the Covid virus restrictions.

In addition, the First Sunday Group exists to assist the clergy on the content and delivery of the 10.00 am All Age Eucharist on the First Sunday of the month. This group met via Zoom. The Messy Church Group, which exists to plan the content and delivery of the monthly Messy Church, did not meet due to Covid virus restrictions on that activity.

The Youth Group, named “The Crib” met weekly via Zoom.

The Church Wardens worked in close collaboration with the members of clergy, and the lay members of the congregation throughout the whole Parish. Over the year the Church Wardens has been responsible for the activities of the Parish Church, the overall administration of the Parish, pastoral matters and worship. The Pioneer Minister was responsible for Sunday worship at Howbridge Church of England Junior School until the 16 March 2020 lockdown, when he provided streamed services via Facebook, and for ministry in the southern area of the parish. This included community support initiatives. Revd Simon Garwood acted as Interim Supervisor to Revd Christine Newmarch until the completion of her curacy. Revd Will Abbott’s training ministers were Revd Dave Beales and Revd Ian Hilton. They are both given all necessary delegated powers to conduct their ministry and in pursuance of their Working Agreements. The PCC Secretary, Mr Mike Robinson, is Lay Chair of the Witham Deanery and a Lay Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral.

Trevor Myatt continues to serve in a voluntary lay capacity as Pastoral Assistant. Pat Pullen is a licensed Lay Funeral minister.

David Martin, Mike Robinson and Andrew Holt continue to serve as Authorised Lay Preachers.

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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The primary objective of the PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.

The PCC is fully committed to co-operating with the clergy team in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

During the year, the work of the PCC was heavily curtailed due to Covid virus restrictions. There were no opportunities for fundraising, including the annual Mediaeval Fayre and Christmas Tree Festival, which were both cancelled. This had a severe impact on the finances of the church.

The church building was also closed for most of the year, so there was no work on the fabric of the church or church hall, though the churchyard was kept neat and tidy by volunteers.

Although the PCC usually works with the clergy to encourage growth of the congregation and ensure that fruitful and effective discipleship is developed, in 2020 with the restrictions on meetings and church services it was not possible to pursue these goals. However Chatterbox, the toddler group for pre-school children continued to meet weekly via Zoom during term time. The All Age Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month was also held via Zoom streaming via Facebook.

Because of the nature of the craftwork, with children and adults working together, it was not possible to hold Messy Church during the Covid restrictions. We are looking forward to restarting these when the restrictions are removed.

The Crib, the Youth Group for young people of secondary school age, ran via Zoom during the Covid restrictions, but did not attract the normal following due to the unfamiliar mode of meeting.

There were on-line Alpha Groups for those seeking to learn more about the Christian faith, but the usual Lent course and other short courses did not go ahead. Our experience in using Zoom for PCC meetings, which started in November, will give confidence to use the technology for other interactive meetings.

The lockdown impacted on work with the schools, since most pupils were working from their homes. The clergy did provide material to some of the schools for their home-working pupils, but there was no interaction possible,

The website and social media have been vital to our ministry during the past year or so. We have over 600 active followers on Facebook, and many more casual viewers who have followed our online weekly services and the funeral and memorial services. We have also had circa 190 followers on Twitter. In 2021 we have installed wifi access to the internet to enable on-line ministry to continue.

Both Park View Residential Home and St Georges Nursing Home closed their doors to visitors during the Covid restrictions, including members of clergy and lay teams, so it was not possible to minister to these homes, in the normal way, however Revd Will did manage some services at St George's, led from the garden and through the window! Even the hospitals were not accessible, so we were fortunate that Revd Susan is a Chaplain at Broomfield Hospital, so was able to visit those of our members that were treated there.

In 2020 the clergy officiated at 6 funeral services in church and 7 at the crematorium, and 7 interments of ashes in the churchyard.

There were no ecumenical services, events or meetings due to the Covid restrictions.

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The church receives the services of a Director of Music, Mr David Martin, and has a paid Parish Administrator, Mrs Fiona Abbott. The church is very dependent on the goodwill and hard work of the many volunteers, in particular, the church officers, church cleaning, churchyard maintenance, odd jobs, church hall letting, catering, duplicating service sheets and the like, sacristan duties, worship organisation, and many other specific tasks are all achieved through volunteer work. In 2020, due to Covid restrictions, most of these activities were curtailed, but thanks are expressed to those that did carry out duties during this time.

Normally Christian Aid is supported each year particularly at Christmas and during Christmas Aid week in May, and the Children’s Society supported at four Christingle Services. Since services did not take place at these times during 2020 we were unable to offer this support. Similarly, since members of the congregation were only meeting electronically, we were unable to support the Diocesan Lent Appeal, the Church Army Lent Appeal and the Chelmsford Night Shelter, the Foodbank and Peabody Trust at Christmas, Easter and Harvest, nor collect toys for the charity Homestart at St Nicolas-tide.

The Mothers’ Union was unable to meet.

St Nicolas Church was able to participate in Heritage Open Day again, but, like most sites, with a virtual tour of the church on the Witham Parish Church Facebook page.

ACHIEVEMENT

The church has enjoyed an unusual, but successful year of worship and witness. Most of the regular congregation joined in the streamed services, 10.00 am or Evensong, via Facebook, and many additional attendees joined them, either live or later in the week, since the services remained available. Since on-line services appeared to reach additional worshippers, they will continue in parallel with actual attendance when the church is able to open again for services. Sadly we did lose some faithful members during 2020, and it was not possible to include the large numbers of mourners that would have attended in a non-Covid environment. Fortunately we were able to live stream the funeral services from the church.

We were able to hold a few physical services in church when the lock-down was lifted for a short period, which included worship for the Festival of St Nicolas. The PCC are grateful to the Director of Music, Mr David Martin, for continuing to maintain the choir, including a number of children, during this time, and particularly for that occasion.

There were 3 weddings in 2020, numbers impacted by Government restrictions.

We have a fund named “Church Community Fund” to provide small sums of money to people in urgent need administered via the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Witham.

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FINANCIAL

Total receipts on ordinary unrestricted funds (General and Equipment Funds) were

£86,573 (2019 £132,440) and are detailed in the financial statements.

£85,873 was spent regarding Church Activities, including the contribution of £45,875 to the Diocesan Parish Share, the formula for which requires a benefice to pay for its ministry costs plus a contribution towards central diocesan costs which is calculated by a formula based on members. £484 has also been used for fundraising.

The net result for the year on the ordinary unrestricted funds was a surplus of receipts over payments of £5 (2019 deficit £14,587). The small surplus was achieved by not paying our Parish Share in full. The PCC paid £45,875 and received a credit for £8,639 due to the vacancy, so a total of £52,714 but was unable to pay the balance of £34,505, to meet the Share request of £87,219 to have done so would have meant depleting our unrestricted reserve to zero.

After adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balance carried forward at 31st December for the ordinary unrestricted fund totalled £35,220 (2019 £35,134).

RESERVES POLICY

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds (if possible), which equates to approximately four months unrestricted payments to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. The balance of £35,220 on unrestricted funds at the year-end is under this target.

It is our policy to invest our funds balances with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.

Approved by the PCC on 30 April 2021 and signed on their behalf by Andrew Rudd Churchwarden (PCC Vice Chair).

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Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036
Receipts and Payments Accounts
Note Unrestricted
Fund		 Unrestricted
Designated Fund		 Restricted
Funds		 Endowment
Funds		 Total
2020		 Total 2019
£ £ £ £ £ £
Receipts
Voluntary receipts
Planned giving 41,592 41,592 51,850
Collections and other giving 7,211 7,211 11,677
All other giving / voluntary receipts 4,134 4,134 6,374
Gift Aid Recovered 15,484 15,484 20,479
Total Voluntary Receipts 68,421 0 0 0 68,421 90,380
Activities for generating funds 5,679 5,679 32,295
Investment Income 23 81 142 246 338
Church Activities 2,815 2,815 6,698
Redemption of Investments 0 0 0
Other receipts 9,554 9,554 16,766
Total Receipts 86,492 81 142 0 86,715 146,477
Payments
Church activities
Parish share 45,875 45,875 69,320
Clergy and staffing costs 17,390 17,390 16,200
Church running expenses 17,593 17,593 26,395
Hall running costs 3,623 3,623 5,895
Church Repairs & Maintenance 1,303 1,303 33,213
Hall Repairs & Maintenance 0 0 0
Mission giving and donations 89 89 1,525
Total Church Activities 85,873 0 0 0 85,873 152,548
Cost of generating funds 484 484 8,296
Governance costs 130 130 120
Other payments 0 0 100
Total Payments 86,486 0 0 0 86,486 161,064
Excess of receipts over payments / (payments
over receipts)		 5 81 142 0 228 -14,587
Movements Between Funds 0 0
Cash at bank and in hand at 1 Jan 12,325 22,809 37,679 0 72,813 87,401
Cash at bank and in hand at 31 Dec 12,330 22,890 37,821 0 73,041 72,813
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Note Unrestricted
Fund		 Unrestricted
Designated Fund		 Restricted
Funds		 Endowment
Funds		 Total
2020		 Total 2019
Cash Funds
Bank Current Account 9,459 3,685 1,592 14,736 14,731
Deposit Accounts 2,871 19,205 36,229 58,305 58,082
Totals 12,330 22,890 37,821 0 73,041 72,813
Liabilities
Missionary and Charitable Giving 89 89 0
Church Community Fund 1,592 1,592 1,592
John Suddards Memorial Fund 3,685 3,685 3,685
Parochial Fees Paid in Advance 2,582 2,582 277
Totals 89 3,685 4,174 0 7,948 5,554
Total Net Assets
General Fund 12,241 12,241 12,325
Equipment Fund 19,205 19,205 19,124
John Suddards Memorial Fund 0 0 0
Abrey Trust 16,745 16,745 16,674
Church House Fund 3,526 3,526 3,510
Fabric Fund 13,225 13,225 13,170
Graves Fund 2,734 2,734 2,734
Parochial Fees Paid in Advance -2,582 -2,582 -277
Church Community Fund 0 0 0
Totals 12,241 19,205 33,648 0 65,093 67,259

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Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Witham Parochial Church Council- St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036
Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2020
General Fund (Unrestricted) Receipts and Payments Account
2020 2019
Receipts Note
Regular Giving
Plannedgiving 41,592 51,850
41,592 51,850
Collections and othergiving
Looseplate(Non-Gift Aid Donations) 1,241 6,907
One-off Gift Aidgifts 5,970 18
Gift Aid Income Tax recovered 15,484 20,479
22,695 27,404
Other voluntary receipts
Legacies 1,000 0
Charitable donations 89 895
MessyChurch 84 529
Donations 2,450 3,404
Votives 51 445
Flowers - donations 460 1,101
4,134 6,374
Receipts from activities forgenerating funds
Mediaeval Fayre 0 13,107
Concerts 100 554
59 Club income 1,041 2,757
Easyfundraising.co.uk 158 232
General Fundraising 610 5,269
Church hall lettings income 2,891 8,976
Magazine sales & advertising 879 1,400
5,679 32,295
Investment Income 23 22
Receipts from Church activities
Parochial fees 2,815 6,692
Choir and Organ Income 0 0
Literature Income 0 6
2,815 6,698
Other Receipts
Insurance Claims 0 0
Grant(Children & YoungPersons Worker) 9,174 5,833
Other Receipts 380 1,964
9,554 7,797
86,492 132,440
Payments
Church Activities
Diocesan Parish Share 45,875 69,320
Clergyand staffingcosts 17,390 16,200
Church runningexpenses 17,593 26,395
Hall runningcosts 3,623 5,895
Church Repairs & Maintenance 1,303 135
Hall Repairs & Maintenance 0 0
Overseas mission and relief agencies 89 1,025
Home Mission and other Church societies 0 0
85,873 118,970
Fundraising Costs
59 Club 215 735
Other fundraisingcosts 0 1,356
Magazine Costs 269 1,071
Mediaeval Fayre 5,134
484 8,296
Other Payments 130 120
86,487 127,386
Excess of Receipts over Payments 5 5,054
Movements Between Funds 0 0
5 5,054
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January 12,325 7,271
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December 12,330 12,325
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WITHA M PCC - ANNUAL REPORT & AC COUN TS 2020

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Witham Parochial Church Council - St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2020

Fabric Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Restricted Fund

WITHAM PCC - ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2020
Receipts
Donations
Grants
VAT Refunds (Listed Places of Worship Scheme)
Bank Interest
Payments
Ceiling Repairs
Roof Alarm
Carpet Tiles (Funded by Donation)
All Saints Churchyard (Funded by Donation)
Architect Fees
Bank Charges
Excess of Receipts over Payments
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December
Church House Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Restricted Fund
Receipts
Bank Interest
Payments
Excess of Receipts over Payment
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December
Abrey Trust Receipts and Payments Account - Restricted Fund
Receipts
Bank Interest
Payments
Excess of Receipts over Payment
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December		 2020
55
55
55
13,170
13,225
2020
16
16
3,509
3,525
2020
71
71
16,674
16,745		 Page 10
2019
4,752
5,000
3,969
23
13,744
20,896
7,280
2,400
1,750
752
52
-19,386
32,556
13,170
2019
26
26
3,483
3,509
2019
124
124
16,550
16,674

Witham Parochial Church Council - St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036 Graves Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Restricted Fund

2020
Receipts
Payments
Bank Charges
Excess of Receipts over Payment
0
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
2,734
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December
2,734
Church Community Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Restricted Fund
2020
Receipts
Payments
Donation to Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Excess of Receipts over Payment
0
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
1,592
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December
1,592
John Suddards Memorial Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Designated Fund
2020
Receipts
Net Receipts
0
Payments
Excess of Receipts over Payment
0
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
3,685
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December
3,685
Equipment Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Designated Fund
2020
Receipts
Bank Interest
81
Payments
Excess of Receipts over Payment
81
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January
19,124
Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 31st December
19,205		 2019
48
-48
2,782
2,734
2019
500
-500
2,092
1,592

2019
0
0
3,685
3,685
2019
143
143
18,981
19,124

WITHAM PCC - ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2020

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Witham Parochial Church Council - St Nicolas Church - Charity No 1133036

Financial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2020

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2020
2020 2019
Cash funds
Current Accounts 14,736 14,731
Deposit Accounts 58,305 58,082
Total Current and Deposit Accounts 73,041 72,813
Liabilities (General Fund)
Parochial Fees (paid in advance) 2,582 277
2,582 277
Other tangible assets
Lawnmower, cards and office equipment for our Parish and Mediaeval Fayre
Notes
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church
1 Accounting
Regulations 2008 using the Receipts and Payments basis.
2 The following assets are recognised but not necessarily valued in the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities: Moveable church furnishings held by the church wardens on special trust for the PCC
and
which require a faculty for disposal.
3 The expenses paid to clergy may include a small immaterial proportion, which relates to their
function as PCC members. No other payments were made to PCC members.
4 The payments to missions and overseas relief agencies from donations received include
£35.00to Christian Aid,£24.00to The Children's Society and£30.00to The Peabody Trust.

Approved by the PCC on 13th April 2021 and signed on their behalf by Mr Andrew Rudd (PCC Vice Chair) and Mr John Hassler (PCC Treasurer)

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Independent examiner's report to the PCC of St Nicolas Church, Witham

I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2019 which are set out within the report.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an Independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to

Basis of Independent Examiners Statement.

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. it also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently l do not express an opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(Signed) ‘ Mrs A C Clarke 4 Abercorn Way Witham, CM8 2UF 06 March 2021

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