2 months ago
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admin
At Springview Care Home in Enfield, part of the Springdene Care Homes family, residents and staff recently came together to celebrate International Women’s Day with a warm and inspiring day filled with music, conversation and shared memories.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” reflects something that happens every day in our care homes. When we give kindness, time and friendship to one another, everyone gains something meaningful in return.
The celebration at Springview highlighted the strength, stories and contributions of women across generations, while bringing residents, staff and visitors together for a joyful community event.
A Day of Inspiration and Togetherness
The day began with residents learning about remarkable women from history, sparking lively conversations about achievements, resilience and the progress women have made over the years.
These discussions often bring out personal stories from residents themselves, creating moments of reflection and connection. Many residents shared memories from their own lives, reminding everyone that every woman’s story is part of a wider tapestry of strength and experience.
At Springview Care Home in Enfield, activities like these are an important part of daily life. They help residents stay engaged, curious and connected to the world around them.
Music and Community with Enfield In Song Choir
One of the highlights of the celebration was a wonderful performance from the Enfield In Song Choir, who brought energy and joy to the home with a lively musical performance.
Music has a special way of bringing people together. Residents joined in with smiles, clapping and singing along, creating a truly uplifting atmosphere throughout the home.
Visits from local groups like the Enfield In Song Choir are a valued part of life at Springview, helping maintain strong connections between the care home and the wider Enfield community.
Tea, Friendship and Shared Moments
The day concluded with a lovely afternoon tea party, where residents relaxed together over refreshments and conversation.
Moments like these are often the most meaningful. Sitting together, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company reflects the sense of family that Springdene Care Homes aims to create in every home.
At Springview Care Home in Enfield, celebrations like International Women’s Day are about more than a single event. They are about recognising the importance of community, friendship and the small moments that make daily life special.
Life at Springview Care Home in Enfield
Springview Care Home is proud to provide a welcoming environment where residents can enjoy engaging activities, community events and meaningful connections every day.
From music performances and themed celebrations to creative activities and social gatherings, the team works hard to ensure residents continue to experience joy, companionship and a sense of belonging.
International Women’s Day was a wonderful reminder that when we give kindness, time and friendship, we truly do “Give to Gain.”
For more moments from the celebration, you can also view our Instagram video here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVomk2rEtT-/?img_index=1
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6 months ago
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admin
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, was a wonderfully warm celebration across Springdene’s care homes in North London – from Muswell Hill and Hampstead to Enfield. Residents and staff came together to enjoy a colourful afternoon filled with music, storytelling, and delicious Indian treats.
This year’s event captured everything that makes Springdene special: community spirit, cultural celebration and activities that bring joy and connection to daily life.
Lighting Up Our Homes with Colour and Culture
At Spring Lane, Spring Grove and Springview Care Homes, residents joined in a vibrant Diwali celebration featuring:
- Traditional Diwali music
- Colourful rangoli and mandala art
- A tasting session of popular Indian snacks and sweets
- Warm, shared conversations and laughter
The room was filled with colour, creativity and the welcoming glow of Diwali lights – a beautiful reminder that celebration and community belong to everyone, at every age.
A Mouth-Watering Diwali Tasting Experience
Our residents enjoyed a delicious selection of Indian favourites, including:
Poppadoms and crackers- Bombay mix
- Chutneys and pickles
- Gulab jamun (a resident favourite!)
- Chai masala tea
The tasting session brought back memories, sparked new conversations and created a shared moment of discovery between residents and staff.
Creativity and Calm with Rangoli Art
Many residents chose to take part in colourful rangoli and mandala artwork. These beautiful patterns, traditionally used during Diwali to welcome goodness and good fortune, gave residents a chance to relax, focus and enjoy gentle creativity.
The finished pieces were proudly displayed – and so were the smiles.
Celebrations That Bring People Together
At Springdene, events like Diwali aren’t just activities. They are moments that:
Encourage connection and conversation- Help residents share traditions and stories
- Celebrate cultures and communities represented in North London
- Bring joy, music and warmth into every care home
Families, staff and residents enjoyed the chance to learn something new and celebrate side by side.
Watch Our Diwali Celebration
🎥 View our Diwali highlights video here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQocqQsFcZ8/?img_index=2
Care with Heart in North London
Springdene Care Homes are based in North London, with homes in Muswell Hill (Spring Lane), Hampstead (Spring Grove) and Enfield (Springview). Each home runs a full calendar of events and cultural celebrations throughout the year, helping residents enjoy meaningful, social and uplifting experiences.
To learn more about life at our homes or to arrange a visit, please get in touch with our friendly team.
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8 months ago
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admin
The residents of Springview Care Home in Enfield were treated to a spectacular day of entertainment at this year’s Summer Festival. Families, friends and members of the local community came together to enjoy live music, delicious food, and an impressive line-up of vintage cars right outside the home on Crescent Road.
A Festival to Remember in Enfield
From the moment guests arrived, there was a buzz of excitement. The car park was filled with gleaming classic cars kindly brought along by members of the Barnet Classic Car Club and the Whitewebbs Museum of Transport. Residents admired favourites such as Jaguars, MGs and Triumphs — vehicles that brought back fond memories and sparked conversations about days gone by.
Meanwhile, the sounds of a live jazz band set the perfect summer atmosphere, while the delicious aromas of a sizzling BBQ tempted everyone to gather around for freshly grilled treats. Families and residents alike enjoyed the chance to relax in the sunshine and celebrate together.
Community Spirit and Special Guests
The festival was not only a joyful occasion but also a chance to support a worthy cause, with proceeds going to the RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station, whose volunteers carry out lifesaving work on the River Thames.
It was wonderful to see the Enfield community — along with visitors from nearby Winchmore Hill, Southgate, Barnet, Palmers Green and Cheshunt — join in the festivities and share the day with our residents.
See the Festival from Above
Time flies when you’re having fun! Our drone footage captured the festival atmosphere from a whole new perspective — showcasing the colourful cars, the lively jazz band and the happy faces of everyone who joined us.
👉 Watch the video on Instagram or on Facebook
A Big Thank You
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the Summer Festival — from the car enthusiasts and musicians to our staff, volunteers and supportive families. Most of all, it was a day for our residents, giving them a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer with their loved ones.
At Springview Care Home in Enfield, we believe in creating moments that matter — from everyday activities to special community events like this one.
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12 months ago
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admin
A joyful Easter celebration across our North London care homes
We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Easter at Springview. The season brought plenty of smiles, colour and shared moments as residents took part in a joyful Easter celebration at our care home in Enfield, joined by festive activities across other Springdene care homes in North London.
Springview is known for creating a warm, welcoming environment where residents can enjoy meaningful activities throughout the year, and Easter is always a special time in our community calendar.
A special visit from the Easter Bunny
One of the highlights of the day was a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny, who made a personal appearance at Springview to spread happiness and laughter among residents. From cheerful waves to gentle chats, the Bunny brought a sense of fun and nostalgia that residents thoroughly enjoyed.
Small Easter gifts were shared, and residents were encouraged to take part at their own pace, whether that meant joining in with the excitement or simply enjoying watching the celebrations unfold from the comfort of our lounge areas.
Interactive activities that bring people together
Easter activities at Springview focused on gentle engagement and shared enjoyment. Residents took part in simple Easter games, including discovering hidden surprises, opening Easter eggs, and enjoying hands-on moments that encouraged conversation and connection.
These activities are carefully chosen by our care team to support wellbeing, mobility and social interaction, reflecting Springdene’s long-standing experience in providing thoughtful residential care across North London.
Celebrating Easter across the Springdene family
While Easter fun was in full swing at our Enfield care home, celebrations also took place at Spring Lane in Muswell Hill and Spring Grove in Hampstead. Sharing seasonal events across our North London care homes helps maintain a sense of connection between residents, staff and families throughout the Springdene group.
Each home celebrates in its own way, but the focus remains the same: creating moments of joy, familiarity and comfort for the people who live with us.
Life at Springview Care Home in Enfield
Springview is part of the Springdene Care Homes group, which has been supporting older people and their families across North London for many years. Our Enfield care home offers residential care in a calm, supportive setting, with a strong emphasis on dignity, companionship and quality of life.
Seasonal events like Easter are just one example of how we enrich daily life for residents, alongside regular activities, home-cooked meals and attentive, professional care.
👉 You may also like to read about life at our other North London care homes, including Spring Lane in Muswell Hill and Spring Grove in Hampstead.
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1 year ago
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admin
Last month, Springdene Care Homes marked our annual Employee Appreciation Days across our three homes — Springview (Enfield), Spring Lane (Muswell Hill), and Spring Grove (Hampstead). We celebrated the dedication and hard work of our amazing staff throughout the year with joy, laughter, and appreciation.
What Happened
We pulled out all the stops to honour our team members with awards, snacks, fun activities, and heartwarming moments. From smiling faces to staff joining in with full enthusiasm (even our Director of Resident Happiness got involved!), the days were truly special.
Why It Matters Locally
At Springdene, we believe that recognising staff not only boosts morale, it builds stronger team unity which reflects in the care we provide residents. Especially in Enfield, Hampstead, and Muswell Hill, our homes are more than buildings — they’re communities where dedication and compassion make all the difference.
Looking Forward
Stay tuned to our social media channels for more photos, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from these events.
Facebook @Springdene
Instagram @springdenecare
If you’re interested in careers at our care homes or want to learn about upcoming events, check out our Careers page or contact us directly.
Interested in working with a caring and supportive team? Visit Springdene Care Homes Careers or contact us at your nearest home to explore exciting job opportunities.
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1 year ago
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admin
The Springdene Christmas party season is in full swing – joyously as always. To kick things off, on 28th November, the annual Springview Christmas Lighting is a date to look forward to in our Enfield residential home’s diary.
We caught up with Kathy Dunn, who organises it brilliantly each year, before the Christmas lights switch-on and she told us the occasion would be bigger and better than ever.
A new troupe of illuminated elves were acquired, and once again the snow machine was cranked into action. “We’ve got so many lights,” reckons Kathy, “that you’ll be able to see us from space.”
Keep an eye on our socials for more festive news throughout December!
Facebook @Springdene
Instagram @springdenecare
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1 year ago
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admin
The leaves are drifting down from the trees, memories of summer are fading and there’s a chill in the air. But all was warm and cheerful as we celebrated the Grand Reopening of Spring Lane to mark the culmination of major enhancement works. There was a multiplicity of activities, including a raffle and a tombola and a sumptuous choice of food and drink. The local fire brigade came along to give a demonstration.
Folk gathered in the smart new lounge and dining room to hear a jazz band play favourite melodies and to tuck into delicious food. Residents and guests queued up to peer into the future in the fortune-teller’s tent. Meanwhile the cake-stand, with some superb home-made goodies, was doing brisk business.
One of the high points was the Springdene Dog Show (pictured), where well-preened pooches put their best paw forward to parade for a prize in various doggy categories. There was much amusement when Alfie, an eight-year-old Bedlington Terrier was judged to be winner in the waggiest tail category!
The day ended with folk taking to the dance floor, with some of the sprightliest steps coming from the residents themselves. We were delighted that so many of our neighbours in Muswell Hill took the trouble to pop in to inspect the high quality of the new works.
Now the builders at Spring Lane are concluding, the attention of our refurbishment teams is turning to Spring Grove, where a whole floor is being refurbished to install brand new wet-rooms. The work is expected to take six or seven months, but we are excited that we will eventually have a state-of-the-art home for our discerning Hampstead residents.
As well as looking forward to the modernisation of our estates, we have been delighted to welcome new staff – in particular Grace Ramalho who has joined us as manager of Springview. Grace has a wealth of experience in care, with over 30 years as a registered home manager and a degree in healthcare management. She is already settling in nicely and is proving popular with residents and staff.
We’re also pleased to announce a new role for our award-winning in-house artist Odile Kidd, who has been inspiring Spring Grove residents with her creative vision for many years. Many will recall the exhibition at Camden Arts Centre which she helped to curate, involving some of our residents. Odile brings her experience as an in-house artist at the Natural History Museum.
Now Odile is to become “Engagement Wellbeing Coordinator Art Specialist” and will in future support all three homes on a part-time basis. Art creation is at the heart of care-home life and Odile’s energy will ensure it continues to thrive at Springdene.
Sadly, though, it’s goodbye to one of the great stalwarts of Springdene – Sue Gilks, our resident services manager. Nothing escapes Sue’s eagle-eye, and she has been responsible over a dozen years for the exceptionally high standards in the homes. We wish Sue all the very best in her retirement. Good wishes, too, to our catering manager Mark Gates, who is off to pastures new.
There is no finer aspect to Springdene than our work for charity, and on this front, we are pleased to announce we are channelling our fund-raising efforts towards a new organisation – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The charity is celebrating its bicentenary this year and is an essential part of our emergency services, even though receiving no funds from the government. Did you know that the RNLI saved 355 lives last year?
Meanwhile our existing charity, Medical Detection Dogs, goes from strength to strength. Springdene families and residents have raised an astonishing £40,000 to sponsor the amazing dogs that can sniff out a range of illnesses, including Covid and diabetes. We hear that dogs are now being trained to detect prostate cancer – one of the biggest killers of men in Britain. This pioneering work could not have been done without your donations.
As the year draws to an end, we are taking stock of recent political changes and how they affect the care sector. We had hoped that the incoming government might have got to grips with developing a long-needed coherent strategy for care. But so far this has not materialised, while the NHS is receiving a major boost in funds and is to be the subject of substantial reform.
However, like other care-home operators, we are facing a sizeable hike in employee National Insurance contributions, announced in the Budget. We are just doing our sums to assess how this will affect us when it is introduced in the spring.
On a cheerier note, the Springdene Christmas party season is about to begin – joyously as always. Over at Springview, the big day is on November 28, when the Christmas lights are switched on. Kathy Dunn, who organises it brilliantly each year, tells us the occasion will be bigger and better than ever.
A new troupe of illuminated elves has been acquired, and once again the snow machine will be cranking into action. “We’ve got so many lights,” reckons Kathy, “that you’ll be able to see us from space.”
Meanwhile, over the coming weeks, all our homes will be getting out the decorations, installing the Christmas firs and honing up delicious festive menus. There are few things as cosy and warm as Christmas at Springdene. We can’t wait!
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2 years ago
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admin
Celebrating 55 Years of Outstanding Care at Springdene
In July 2024, Springdene Care Homes proudly marked 55 years of exceptional care in North London with a vibrant celebration at Springview, our Enfield residential home. The day featured vintage classic cars, a live jazz band, a summer BBQ, and plenty of joy shared with residents, families, and staff.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this milestone event so special. Together, we raised over £1,000 in support of Medical Detection Dogs, a charity close to our hearts.
Springdene has been delivering trusted, person-centred care since 1969 and we look forward to many more years of compassionate service.
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2 years ago
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admin
It’s been a great summer for Springdene as we celebrate the 55th anniversary of our foundation. We had a splendid party at Springview to mark the occasion, which we all enjoyed, including our Enfield neighbours, who joined in enthusiastically.
There was a multiplicity of activities, including a raffle and a tombola and a sumptuous choice of food and drink. The local fire brigade came along to give a demonstration.
But the high point was an exhibition of vintage cars and commercial vehicles, which sparked lots of golden memories among our residents. These were laid on by the neighbouring Whitewebbs transport museum, which is one of the hidden jewels of Enfield. Thanks to them – and we strongly recommend a visit.
One of the joys of the party was raising the magnificent sum of £1,700 for our favourite charity, Medical Detection Dogs. The charity does marvellous work with its animals which are trained to “sniff out” the early signs of serious illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes. Our very own sponsored dog Spring, whom we have adopted since he was a puppy, is busy saving saves, thanks to your input.
The cheque was presented at a special ceremony by Mrs June Powell, joint founder of Springdene Care Homes (right, in the picture). “Our residents and families are proud to play their part in funding the good work of this excellent charity,” said Mrs Powell.
With the recent summer weather, the gardens of the homes are looking splendid. There are colourful blooms everywhere thanks to our green-fingered director, Stacey-Louise Balcombe.
At Spring Lane, the patio garden has been re-planned and is looking lovely. At Springview we are keeping our fingers crossed for the results of the Enfield in Bloom competition – and, indeed, one of their inspectors was spotted the other day sussing out our gardens.
Our residents have not only been enjoying the gardens in the summer weather, but they have been getting out and about, too. Fraser, our dynamic new wellbeing coordinator at Spring Lane, has been busy organising visits, with two memorable outings – to the RAF Museum at Hendon and London Zoo in Regents Park.
So it’s welcome to Fraser, and also to Erika, our new clinical lead who has joined us to support our group operations supremo, Mark Clements. Mark will now have the time to focus on strategic issues for the future. We are also looking forward to the arrival in the autumn of a new manager at Springview to replace Iva Petrova, who has moved on to a new job.
At Spring Lane, Alex Codrescu continues to hold the fort while manager Lori Vela enjoys maternity leave with her beautiful new baby.
Also at Spring Lane, we are excited with the countdown to the completion of the modernisation programme in the upstairs bedrooms. We’re also getting a lovely new lounge and entrance area, which will enhance everyone’s lives. Over at Spring Grove the new cinema room is in operation, with enhanced viewing for everyone.
As always, live music continues to flourish in all our homes. Our old favourite Roddy Skeaping continues to entertain with his much-loved singalongs while the Dance Well team keep everyone on their toes.
This involves exploring various movements to music using all sorts of props. The staff join in, and everyone has a good laugh. And we mustn’t forget Lost Chord, who do such good work among those with memory issues.
For us in the management team, the arrival of a new government means some change on the care landscape. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has declared dissatisfaction with the Care Quality Commission, the care home regulator, and undoubtedly there will be some changes. At the same time Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, has abandoned the idea of a cap on care costs, although there is talk of a Royal Commission on the subject.
Meanwhile prepare your diaries for a party in the early autumn to celebrate the completion of the works at Spring Lane. It promises to be a great occasion. Until then, enjoy your summer!
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2 years ago
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admin
HAPPY New Year to all, wherever you may be, and we hope you are looking forward to 2024, following a fantastic festive season at Springdene. By general agreement, our celebrations in the homes were among the best for many years.
Our party season kicked off at the end of November with the official switch-on of the Christmas lights at Springview by Councillor Suna Hurman, Mayor of Enfield. Councillor Hurman chatted to the residents and congratulated Springdene on more than 50 years of service to the community.
The local paper, the Enfield Independent, ran a full-page feature about the occasion, featuring pictures of our residents enjoying mince pies and roasted marshmallows, including our snow machine in action!
The decorations across all the homes looked fantastic. And there were splendid repasts every day, prepared by our new catering manager Mark Gates and his team
High point was Christmas Day lunch in the homes with all the trimmings. Afterwards the directors served a roast turkey and Christmas pudding lunch to the hard-working staff, a ritual which is very popular every year.
“It was a pleasure to give our folk a chance to put their feet up for a short time,“ said CEO Michael Williams. “They are lovely people who work so hard for us. Wonderful for them to have a bit of relaxation and enjoyment for themselves on Christmas Day.
After a hearty New Year celebration, the festive season was still going strong this week with a coach visit by the residents of Spring Grove to the Wallace Collection art gallery near Oxford Street, where everyone marvelled at the lights and were treated to a special show-round by the curators.
One resident went on the record to say, “I believe I speak for everybody in saying we’ve all had a lovely time. If I’d been at home on my own, Christmas would have been nothing like this. I’m so grateful to be looked after at Springdene.”
Hard on the heels of the Festive Season came the Annual Employee Appreciation Awards – the “Oscars” of the Springdene year – in which staff nominated their colleagues for 10 special prizes in various categories.
The first of three ceremonies took place at Spring Lane on Wednesday, where care assistant Monika Sas-Jaworska won Carer of the Year. She was praised for being “polite, kind and caring about everyone – residents and staff alike, – and going the extra mile on every shift”. Well done, Monika!
Afterwards there was a wonderful singer, great food and dancing into the late afternoon, while winners lined up for the cameras to display their awards (see picture above). It brought a tear to the eye to observe residents waltzing with carers!
Quite separately our talented artist in residence, Odile Kidd and her team of residents, won a “highly-commended” honour in the North Central London Care System art awards. Her paper wreaths, everyone agreed, were quite delightful!
On another note, 2024 will bring some important management changes. Michael Williams, the present CEO is stepping down from his post in March. He took the helm three years ago after the indisposition of the previous incumbent Jeremy Balcombe, and is returning to his previous occupation as best-selling author and senior journalist in the national media.
However, Michael will not be severing his connection with Springdene entirely – he will continue as Chairman of the Board as well as authoring this acclaimed newsletter and will welcome staying in touch with residents and their families.
The new CEO will be Theodore Powell, currently facilities director with responsibility for project management. A graduate of Nottingham University, Theodore is a grandson of Dr Arnold and Mrs June Powell, founders of the company – cementing the Springdene tradition as a family business. He takes up his new job on March 14.
One thing he will be supervising is our new process of charging residents according to their care needs, which began this week. To explain: each resident will have a six-monthly assessment of their care needs according to a set scale, with their fees adjusted appropriately. Fees may rise or fall, depending on circumstances but it will be a much more equitable means of charging.
However, don’t worry, there is a built-in safeguard against excessive jumps in fees. If you are concerned, don’t hesitate to contact our CEO, Michael Williams on mwilliams@springdene.co.uk
Meanwhile we continue the process of modernising the homes. The programme of upgrading the rooms on the fourth floor of Spring Lane is more than halfway through and we are getting on with transforming the reception area. Apologies and thanks for forbearance in putting up with the noise and dust.
Next, we’re turning our attention to Spring Grove, where new wetrooms will be created and the lounge areas will get a makeover, establishing a new cinema room in the process.
We are delighted to report that we continue to receive a stream of praise from our residents and their families. Gill, the cousin of one of our Spring Lane residents, recently wrote:
“As a trained carer myself, I can honestly say that I have never seen a better care home than Spring Lane. The rooms and common areas are spotlessly clean, well-appointed, and extremely comfortable. Ongoing activities and entertainment are plentiful. Residents are encouraged, but not forced, to participate. Visiting is unrestricted.
“Each and every member of staff seems totally engaged in ensuring that each individual resident is clean, safe, happy, and living life to their utmost potential. The ratio of carers to residents seems higher than most and there’s a happy atmosphere – lots of smiles!”
Do you have a similar message of praise for us? We’re about to submit our excellent record of care to the judges of the annual National Care Awards and you could help us win a prize. It’s simple. Just go to www.carehome.co.uk or fill in a simple form in one of our homes’ reception areas. But don’t delay – nominations close on January 11. We’ll be grateful for your support!
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