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2021-12-31-accounts

Annual report and financial statement

for the year ended 31 December 2021

Passionate in providing tennis for everyone in the community Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

www.totnestennisclub.co.uk Registered Charity Number: 1169109 1

Welcome from Francis Porter, Chair

It’s with great plesure that I welcome you to the Totnes Community Tennis Club’s annual report for 2021

And what a year it has been. In my mind it has possibly been one of the most vibrant, positive, uplifting years in the club’s history – a bold statement I know!

Our club had been wonderfully resilient and valuable to the local community during the numerous lockdowns and once fully open again the club has continued to be a fantastic location for sport in Totnes.

In 2020 we had to cancel our 50th anniversary plans but we ‘altered’ our birthday and in August 2021 we created the biggest event ever run at the club - a wonderful weekend celebration of tennis and our community. And how often would a club be visited by a paralympic athlete? Bright Ideas for Tennis, run by ex-Davis Cup player Danny Sapsford, brought along Lucy Shuker the top UK women’s tennis player. We had vibrant tennis coaching, amazing food, a beautiful yurt and so much more. The support and energy of everyone involved in the club’s celebration was deeply moving - the day was a success far beyond our wildest dreams. We raised a staggering £6,674 for Lifeworks – the greatest ever fundraising event the club has run.

The club is passionate about supporting the community’s special education needs establishments to ensure that we can bring the wonderful game of tennis to everyone; and the training that our coaches and volunteers received on the day was a wonderful start to our exciting vision for tennis in the community.

And so began an exciting new initiative of weekly coaching sessions for special needs students from Bidwell Brook School and Lifeworks College. Huge thanks to Tonia and our excellent group of volunteers for running these sessions so brilliantly. The students and teachers are overjoyed with the positive impact these sessions are having.

On court a great new addition to our activities this year has been the new singles ladder. The level of interest has been amazing with 45 members playing competitive singles – this was unheard of before this year! One of the great benefits is that members have widened their network of players and met members they might not normally have come across. It has been a big effort to run and organise, so many thanks to Shaun Blair and Rud Sawers for all their hard work.

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Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

The coaching programme run so expertly by Tonia continues to grow and grow, offering expert guidance from 4 year olds up to 80 year olds!!

The committee are never keen to sit back and rest, so this year we started our biggest ‘adventure’ yet – to build a brand new clubhouse to match our fantastic on-court facilities. Club member Rud Sawers designed a wonderful vision for a new clubhouse and guided us expertly through the planning application process. We submitted our application this year and received news of approval just as 2022 started. There is a long way to go but it was a fantastic end to the year.

We have also received excellent support from South Hams District Council who fully understand our vision to bring sport and wellbeing to the wider community.

The club may appear to progress serenely onwards week by week but I think you would be staggered at the amount of hard work that goes on behind the scenes! As the club becomes busier and busier so the amount of work required to run the club increases – it really is like running a 7 days a week business. The hard-working members of the committee never cease to amaze me at their dedication and professionalism – we are all deeply indebted to their huge efforts. But this year more than ever, members have put their hand up to support the club – whether in the administration of the club, maintenance or with special needs coaching. This extra support is extremely uplifting for me, as sharing the load is so important.

Which leads me on to all of our members – the wonderful, friendly, welcoming atmosphere at the club is down to each and every one of you. The club is vibrant, happy and the standard of tennis continues to improve – thank you everyone for making the club what it is today.

Francis Porter Club Chair

Trustees

Francis Porter Graham Hayman Jackie Clayton

Sara Widdicombe John Callaway Paul Thomas

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Membershi p

Adults

There has been a huge interest in membership of the club this year, leading to the decision to cap the numbers at 135 adults in order to ensure all members have the best experience, especially at club sessions.

Initially, people applying after the 135 cap had been reached, were put onto a waiting list. However, as the list rapidly lengthened and there were no membership places, the list was discontinued. The waiting list “members” were informed of the change and offered the chance to set up their own email group to facilitate non-member play on the courts. After that time new applicants were advised to contact the club after 1st April 2022, at which time any available places would be offered on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.

The 2021/2022 membership year was adjusted after the 2020 ‘lockdown’ year to run from 1st April to 31st March, with the annual fee maintained at £120. There was no winter membership or monthly reduction, as the club was full within the first month.

The interest in the club that started in 2020 has not only been maintained but is increasing, with weekly applications from interested players. Not only is the fantastic court surface a huge draw, but many newcomers have commented on the friendly atmosphere and the fact that they are made to feel very welcome.

The membership figures for the 2021/2022 tennis year are as follows:

2021 2020
Female Male Total Female Male Total
Adults 51 84 135 46 88 134
Winter - - - 2 4 6
Students 1 3 4 2 5 7

Juniors

The majority of junior members have come to the club via Tonia Gooderham’s coaching programme. This year we have seen an increasing number of juniors and parents playing together which has been fantastic to see and really adds to the vibrancy of the club – plus some competitive family doubles taking place!

To boost the parents/juniors involvement in the club, we created a Junior/Parent Coordinator role with parent Will Blake offering to help communicate with, and involve the parent body in, the club. We hope to build on this in the coming year with possible family social events at the club.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Teams, Club Tennis and Tournaments

Teams Overview

Representative teams traditionally compete in the South Devon Tennis League.

Following a year when our men’s, ladies and mixed teams missed out on match-play owing to Covid restrictions, inter-club competition returned with the club fielding 5 teams across the various divisions.

There was considerable interest from our adult members to take up the challenge of competitive tennis and team captains rotated large squads so that record numbers of members enjoyed playing league tennis, many for the first time.

The Men’s A team captained by James Glanville was heading towards the top spot in Division 1. However, apathy amongst opponents prevented them from completing all their fixtures. With only 7 matches played the final position of 3rd does not reflect the strength in depth of the men’s A squad.

The men’s B team managed by club stalwart Peter Daly performed well to finish 3rd in a very competitive Division 2. New partnerships were established and impressive performances recorded.

Our ladies team returned to competition against traditional South Hams rivals. Della Joint’s squad achieved an impressive runner’s-up spot but proved no match for run away winners Dartmouth in ladies Division 1.

Our Mixed A team achieved a creditable mid-table finish against stiff opposition throughout the season. Captain Kim Lichfield was able to field many new pairings enjoying a full season of top quality tennis.

Jacqui Merrington took on her new role of captaining the Mixed B squad.

Unfortunately, the team was deprived of the runner’s-up spot when a weather postponement prevented them completing all fixtures. Excellent hospitality was a feature of all home matches.

Particular thanks to all team captains for their selfless management of the squads and to all players who represented the club during the season.

Singles Box Leagues

In summer 2021 club members Shaun Blair and Rud Sawers volunteered to introduce and manage a Singles Box League competition. We are now in the third round of the box league matches and the interest and enthusiasm they have generated have surpassed all expectations.

We were amazed when 45 members came forward to participate in the first round of matches. Due to the winter season and covid restrictions the leagues were understandably quieter during the current round.

The leagues have been a great success with many players being introduced to singles match play and others reigniting their singles careers.

We would like to thank Shaun and Rud for the excellent organisation and everyone who has supported the leagues and hope you have enjoyed meeting and getting to know each other on court.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Club sessions

Following a disjointed start to the year with Covid restrictions, our much-loved club sessions returned in full for the start of the summer season.

It was a pleasant reminder that these occasions really do bring out the best in our club. Convivial, but competitive tennis combines with a great social atmosphere off-court. Members are frequently pampered with goodies and the occasional beer on a special birthday celebration.

The opportunity to offer 3 club sessions throughout each week of the year, allows us to provide organised tennis for as many members as possible.

Our limited 4-court capacity remains a frustration at times, however the extended sessions really help.

The enthusiasm of regular organisers, Peter Daly, Jackie Clayton and Barry Barber supported by Kim Lichfield and Abi Hawman is much valued. Their skill in matching partnerships contributes greatly to the quality and popularity of these sessions.

Tournaments

In the autumn Peter Daly kindly organised the Jane Chalcraft Mixed Doubles Shield tournament.

12 pairs entered the tournament. Pairings were selected randomly with round-robin matches contested on our 3 synthetic grass courts.

A closely contested final saw Barry Smith and Emma Croft overcome Jerry Hawley and Heather Nicholson to win the trophy for the first time.

Many thanks to Peter Daly for organising the tournament.

Individual success

Congratulations to James Glanville who won the Devon County closed tournament over 40 singles title.

Congratulations to Kolo Blake on winning the U16 boys title on the Nexus Junior Tour at Exeter Golf and Country Club

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Coachin Re ort – Tonia Gooderham g p

2021 has been a very busy and highly enjoyable time on court. The programme has grown continually throughout the year requiring a constant increase in the number of classes. The numbers of juniors now playing are as follows :

Category Age (years) 2021 2020
Blue 3-7 30
Red 5-8 71
Orange 8-10 25 26
Green 9-11 12 29
Yellow 11+ 46 22
Total 154 107

As well as our regular coaching classes we have also visited primary schools. This has resulted in a number of children joining our coaching programme.

A very positive development this year has been the number of children including tennis as their physical activity or volunteering section in their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Having these children to help the younger juniors has been wonderful to witness.

Following the club’s 50th birthday celebration the I Play 30 is now up and running. The sessions with Bidwell Brook special needs school have been wonderful. The pupils have been amazing, full of energy and appreciation. A big thank you to John Callaway for organising the sessions and to the great volunteers; Pete Nuttall, Heather Nicholson, Graham Hayman, Paul Mukerji and Geoff Powell.

The adult coaching programme has continued to be well received. The small group coaching is still very popular and there has been an influx of many of the junior’s parents learning to play.

We are continuing to support our juniors in competitions. Special congratulations to Kolo Blake for winning his first title in 2021 – U16 boys title on the Nexus Junior Tour at Exeter Golf and Country Club. We have also arranged some successful matchplay events at the club and are planning to do more.

I have continued to keep my Coach Accreditation + status up to date, renewing my safeguarding and First Aid certification in Autumn 2021.

Overall, it has been a very enjoyable and positive year on court. I would like to say a big thank you to Rob Mitchell for his help on all aspects of the programme and to the committee for their continued support. I am looking forward to another great year.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Courts and Maintenance

Public Use Of Courts

We remain committed to keeping the courts open for public hire on a Pay & Play basis and feel it is important to encourage as many people as possible to play tennis. The health benefits of tennis are well known and we are in early discussions with the local Social Prescribing Team to add tennis to the range of options for referral. The courts remain busy and it is pleasing to see so many people enjoying tennis on the Borough Park.

Income from public and non-member court hire was £5,259 in 2021, 36% more than 2020 (£3,863). The charge for the courts remains at £4 per hour per person.

Court bookings are made via the club’s website using the ClubSpark booking system and access to the courts is controlled with combination locks. We looked at an LTA scheme for automated court access but decided against it on the grounds of ongoing maintenance costs.

Court Surface

The artificial turf court surface on court numbers 1-3 remains popular and is in general wearing and playing very well. First Serve effected a repair on the deuce service line of the far side of court 1 which has been effective. A similar repair is required on the advantage court service line nearest the clubhouse and this will be scheduled for the spring/summer as the courts need to be dry and warm.

Floodlights

The lights on court numbers 1-3 are excellent. Unfortunately, we have had a recent problem with a light on court 3, however we have obtained a replacement unit under warranty and have commissioned local electricians to replace the unit.

We installed “Tweener” lights on court 4 during 2021. These are LED strip lights, mounted on the fencing on the sides of the court and therefore avoids the costly instalment of light bearing posts.

The Tweener lights offer a good playing and coaching experience, although we have had teething problems with occasional failure of the lighting and intermittent flickering of the lights on the side of the court nearest the clubhouse. We are in discussion with the company that installed the lights to achieve a resolution.

The other problem that we had not fully appreciated, until the lights were installed on court 4, is the distracting effect of the Tweener lights on players on courts 1-3. We have put up temporary screens to mitigate the effect of the lights and are looking for a definitive solution moving forward.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Maintenance

The maintenance team were kept busy during the year, carrying out both routine and improvement tasks:

The committee has commissioned a three year maintenance arrangement with First Serve Ltd, the company who installed the courts, to cover maintenance issues beyond the scope of the maintenance team such as, power-washing, moss treatment and technical advice on matters such as surface repairs and optimum surface performance. This work was done in the late summer and we were commended on the condition of the courts by First Serve.

Storage remains a problem and we have acquired a lockable trunk that sits in the clubhouse to house coaching equipment.

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped with the numerous maintenance tasks during the year. Your help is massively appreciated and is reflected in the superb play and appearance of the courts.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Financial Review

The year ended 31 December 2021 resulted in a surplus of £25,802, (2020: £26,363). Total income was £48,841 (2020: £33,993) and total expenditure £23,039 (2020: £7,630).

Main sources of income

Details of the restricted grant income and donations received is as follows:

Grant funder Purpose Amount (£)
Sport England Tweener light installation court 4 10,000
Wiltshire CommunityFoundation I Play30 2,021
Allianz Sport I Play 30 3,000
Individual donation Clubhouse 50
Total 15,071

In addition we were delighted to continue to receive sponsorship income from Chartsedge

Expenditure

The surplus of £25,802 for the year, results in total club funds of £89,670 at 31 December 2021 (2020: £63,868).

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Commitments

At 31 December 2021, the club owed Outdoor Carpets £3,960 for the balance of the Tweener light installation on court 4. This amount will be paid from general funds.

Reserves policy

The committee have decided to hold a general fund at a level of 9-12 months operating expenditure, with the remaining funds held as a designated fund. The designated fund will be used for future refurbishment and improvements at the club. A sinking fund for the refurbishment of the courts and perimeter fencing currently stands at £20,000, with the development fund at £58,000.

Restricted funds

The restricted funds held at 31 December 2021 are for I Play 30 and will be used to fund this programme in 2022. I Play 30 are tennis activity sessions for children with learning, sensory and physical disabilities and for those experiencing ill-mental health.

The financial statements are shown on the last page of the report.

Fundraisin and S onsorshi g p p

Fundraising – Jackpot Club

Now in its sixth consecutive year the jackpot club continues to be the club’s primary means of fundraising. 50% of revenue generated is returned to jackpot members in a range of monthly cash prizes while the other 50% contributes to the club’s funds, supporting facilities upkeep and development.

Annually the jackpot club generates over £1,000 for the club and awards over £1,000 in cash prizes.

All members will be invited to join as the new season approaches. Entry remains at £1 per week.

The 2021 bumper Christmas draw, with £500 first prize, was planned to be held at the Sunday club session on 18th December. The draw and tennis went ahead, but unfortunately omicron put a stop to the planned mulled wine, mince pies and social gathering.

Sponsorship and Support

We are delighted to continue our relationship with Miles Kevin and Chartsedge , the independent estate agent based in Totnes, marketing homes in Devon and Cornwall.

Likewise, we are grateful for the continuing support provided by Mark Annear at The Cott Inn , Dartington.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Time to Celebrate!

50th Anniversary Celebration : 7- 8 August 2021

Sadly due to Covid restrictions we were unable to hold our regular social events – the Christmas Party at the Cott Inn, the annual cricket match with Harberton Cricket Club or to continue our collaborative racketball sessions with Dartington Squash Club.

However, we were able to hold the club’s 50th anniversary celebration which had been postponed from 2020. It was well worth the wait as the club hosted a fabulous weekend of tennis coaching and activities, exhibitions and partying. With a stunning yurt (provided by Yurts For Life) as our centerpiece in the park, the extravaganza kicked off on Saturday evening with a members’ social evening of fish and chips, music, dancing and a fundraising auction.

On Sunday the charity ‘Bright Ideas For Tennis’ provided a day of tennis activities led by ex-Davis Cup player, Danny Sapsford and top UK wheelchair tennis player, Lucy Shuker. Bright Ideas for Tennis aims to provide tennis clubs with a means to generate funds in order to develop their coaching programmes and focuses on providing opportunities for people with disabilities or those experiencing mental ill health to play tennis.

More than 50 club members and juniors took part in coaching sessions on the day. Club members Sarah Gaisford and James Glanville played a thrilling exhibition match with Danny Sapsford and Lucy Shuker. Followed by juniors Kolo Blake and Rose Bruynseels taking on Danny and Lucy in a fun tiebreak match.

The event reinforced our club’s commitment to provide tennis for all in the community and concluded with a training session for coaches and volunteers in the unique I Play 30 coaching programme. This has enabled the club to deliver specialised coaching to local special needs establishments

After the training, Danny Sapsford said,

You’ve proved just how inclusive tennis can be. You are a shining example of exactly what can be done.

Star of the day was player Lucy Shuker, who took part in several exhibition matches and coaching sessions just days before she headed to Tokyo for her fourth Paralympic Games, where she won a silver medal in the women’s wheelchair doubles.

In addition to the tennis, there was an exhibition of photographs in the yurt showcasing tennis in Totnes and the surrounding area over the years. The club also unveiled its vision for the future, with a scale model and drawings for a fantastic new clubhouse designed by Rud Sawers Architects. This gave members an opportunity to see the proposal and to provide feedback and make suggestions for the new clubhouse.

Due to the amazing support from everyone who attended and donated to the event, we raised £6,674 for Lifeworks, the learning disability charity based at Dartington.

Special thanks go to Mark Annear and his team at The Cott Inn, for providing a delicious lunchtime tagine.

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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THANK YOU... to our generous local sponsors who supported the whole event:

Chartsedge Estate Agents Dartington Village Stores Arbow Garage The Bowie Gallery Wynnstay The East Gate Bookshop Daily Sparkle SFS Simulation Rud Sawers Architects

The Cott Inn New Lion Brewery Wellington Pet Ltd Totnes & Dartington Self Storage Carpenter Devon Shinners Bridge Garden Machinery Cavanna Homes Ltd Totnes and South Hams Tyre Services Martin Loader Inter-Line Building Supplies Jewson, Totnes Morrisons Totnes Community Champions China Blue Windeatts Solicitors Travis Perkins Yurts For Life Cooking Vinyl Grow Edge

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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O enin u tennis for s ecial needs children p g p p

The covid pandemic made us all realise how important tennis is to our health and well-being. As a club we believe it is essential that all sectors of the community are given access to tennis. In discussions with two local special needs establishments, Bidwell Brook School and Lifeworks, we realised that we could make a real difference and so for several months have been working hard to bring tennis to this sector of our community.

On Wednesday 3 November, after lots of hard work, we held our first I Play 30 coaching session, led by our coach, Tonia Gooderham and assisted by volunteers from the club. Ten excited students from Bidwell Brook, including one boy in a wheelchair, embarked on a range of fun exercises designed to boost their coordination, fitness and mental focus. The exercises are set to give small challenges and goals and even in the few sessions so far, we can see small improvements and the huge benefits that sport can bring to people’s wellbeing.

The sessions have now been extended to Lifeworks who have started I Play 30 coaching sessions on Thursday afternoons. A big thanks to all the volunteers who have supported this new venture, without them we wouldn’t be able to run the sessions.

Richard Monaghan, Bidwell Brook Class Teacher, said:

The children are getting such a lot out of working with a new set of people and developing new skills that they will be able to use in other contexts.

Some quotes from the Bidwell Students:

I enjoy our tennis sessions I enjoy our tennis sessions I enjoy our tennis sessions because because I enjoy playing tennis because I like playing the I get to play with new people and learning new things different games

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the members of Totnes Community Tennis Club

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts, set out on page 16, of the above charity (“the club”) for the year ended 31st December 2021.

Responsibilites and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the club’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Karen Williams ACA, ICEAW Dorsley Barton Harberton Totnes

21 February 2022

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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Receipts and Payment Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021

No.
Receipts
Membership subscriptions
Adults – full year
135
Students / Juniors
66
Winter membership (2020)
-
Total Member subscriptions
Visitors fees
Match fees
Court hire and lights
Ball / T-shirt sales
Event / tournament proceeds
Fundraising income
Grants & Sponsorship
Total receipts
Payments
Tennis balls / T-shirts
Event costs
South Devon League fees
Fundraising expenses
Clubhouse repairs
Courts & outdoor area maintenance
Courts lights / resurfacing
New clubhouse
Office costs
Insurance
Rent arrears
Stripe charges
Subscription – LTA
Cleaning
Total payments
Surplus
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Total funds held:
General fund
Restricted fund – I Play 30
Designated – Sinking fund
Designated – Development fund
Total funds
2021
2021
2021
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
£
£
£
No.
16,110
-
16,110
134
760
-
760
125
-
-
-
4
16,870
16,870
20
-
20
123
-
123
10,960
-
10,960
801
-
801
1,509
-
1,509
2,487
-
2,487
1,000
15,071
16,071
33,770
15,071
48,841
1,175
-
1,175
1,407
2,021
3,428
25
-
25
1,350
-
1,350
266
-
266
1,870
-
1,870
760
10,000
10,760
1,052
50
1,102
219
-
219
504
-
504
1,309
-
1,309
483
-
483
480
-
480
68
-
68
10,968
12,071
23,039
22,802
3,000
25,802
63,868
-
63,868
86,670
3,000
89,670
8,670
3,000
20,000
58,000
89,670
2020
Total
Funds
£
12,441
210
177
12,828
182
25
7,737
63
-
2,658
10,500
33,993
129
-
-
1,457
912
1,694
2,160
-
395
479
-
262
40
102
7,630
26,363
37,505
63,868
5,868
-
10,000
48,000
63,868

Totnes Community Tennis Club ~ annual report year ended 31 December 2021

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