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Genes Reunited
This is a long shot as I don't know if you will remember
myself and my brother Robert Monahan. My name is Mary Monahan, we used
to drink in your pub when we lived in Birmingham over fifteen years ago.
I am actually looking for a person named Alan Lowe he was a regular in
the Anchor and hopefully still is. To cut a long story short Alan's
daughter Taylor is looking for him. We lost contact when I moved address
and also lost Alan's address. I am so sorry for bothering you but if he
is still a regular would you please let me know as his daughter really
wants to get in touch.
Mary Monahan 15-06-2010
World Cup Fixture at The Anchor
A few us are doing a real ale pub crawl in Birmingham on
Saturday 12th. Can you tell me if the Anchor will be open as usual that
evening? As I'm sure you know it's England's first game in the World Cup
and I know a lot of pubs are "ticket-only" to keep numbers manageable.
Can you also tell me if food will be available?
Richard Cooper 04-06-2010
- Hi Richard, at the moment there are no
restrictions on number. Usually we do food up till 6pm. That will
still be the case depending on how busy we get for the game. We
welcome all well behaved football fans, England or otherwise. We
should also have some exclusive beers on for the game too.
Gerry 05-06-2010
Pub Games at The Anchor
Just a heads-up on my request by phone today. I hope to have
10 to 20 people for what we call a Pub-Meet, where we play a lot of
table-top board games [and probably standard pub-games, as well, this
time]. We'd have some folk around on the Friday evening, but the main
thing would be more or less all day on the Saturday and up to lunch-time
on the Sunday. I'd like the space for up to 5 four-person groups to sit
and play on small tables in one room or bar-area, hopefully without
disrupting your regulars too much. The tables pictured on your website
would be fine for us. Your colleague said on the phone that you had a
backroom that might do the job, for which we might be able to pay you a
hire fee.
Bill Mayling ~ Cheltenham
30-04-2010
Family Tree near The Anchor
I am researching my family history and have found that my
great-great grandfather Charles Wootton, lived at 62 Rea Street
according to his father's death certificate and White's Trade Directory
of 1850. He was a nail manufacturer. I would really appreciate an
electronic copy of the old map on your web site if that would be
possible. I am hoping to visit Birmingham this summer to do some further
research and hopefully call in for a drink. Many thanks for all the
information on your great web site.
Sandra Jenkinson 24-04-2010
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Hi Sandra, thanks for your kind
comments, but all the thanks should be addressed to Kieron who
manages/maintains our site. All the history and maps were done when
he researched the pub history a few years ago. We have a second
address of 52 Rea Street, so we are probably not far from where that
house was standing. Hope to see you in the summer.
Gerry 28-04-2010
Saint George's Celebrations at
The Anchor
This Friday we will be celebrating St George's Day in a
number of ways. Our bar manager, also called George - George Morrisson,
recently did a parachute jump to raise money for the St Mary's Hospice.
He has managed to raise £550 so far. We are hoping to raise this figure
to about £1000. On the day we will have specially commissioned ales,
named after our George and celebrating St George. When customers buy a
pint of one of these ales - we will contribute to his fund . We hope to
have Morris Dancing and we will be playing traditional English
music/music from the Proms/famous film themes. All whilst wearing our
red roses and some staff dressing up as Morris men/women. Happy St
George's Day!
Gerry 22-04-2010
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Update to above: We have reached our £1,000
figure, presenting the cheque on Wednesday afternoon. Also, George
gets another beer named after him .............. White Rose...George
Jumps for Joy (& St Mary's Hospice)
Gerry 22-04-2010
Blues Belfast Crew on Tour at
The Anchor
Bore Da. One for your gallery, Gerry. Blues Belfast Crew on
tour plus some local reprobates on Easter Day 2010. Motley Crew or
what??
Roy Kyffin 18-04-2010
Free Range Hens at The Anchor
I know this will probably sound strange, but we like to clear
it with pubs prior to our visit... My sister is having her Hen
day/night on the 20th March 2010. We were hoping that it would be ok for
us to come to your pub at about 5.30pm. Nothing strange there, but when
you add there are 21 of us all dressed up as Spice Girls arriving on a
London Red bus, it's a little more different. We are doing it for
Birmingham Children's Hospital Red Balloon Appeal! Some pubs are tucking
us away in their own areas - but we are a happy bunch, so just grateful
to get served. As I am a real ale drinker, it will be my favourite stop,
having sampled ales at the Anchor before!! Please can you let me know if
there will be a problem with our visit!
Julia Hughes 09-03-2010
Price Freeze and Pub Award for
the Anchor
Above is a photograph of Gerry, colleagues, regulars and
CAMRA members with their Bronze Award presented for Birmingham Pub of
the Year 2009-10 by Mark Delaney, Chairman of Birmingham CAMRA, on
Tuesday 19th January. Despite the increase in VAT and suppliers rises we
at the Anchor are currently holding down our prices.
Gaynor Keene 25-01-2010
2010 Dates at The Anchor
Is there any chance that you might list upcoming beer
festivals for this year, e.g. around Saint Patrick's Day. Not a full
blown beer list but just the proposed dates and perhaps a theme. I will
be visiting Birmingham several times this year and I may be able to fit
some of them around a beer fest although I do always try to visit you
anyway.
Dave 24-02-2010
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Thanks for the interest in our
festivals. These are the current planned ones for this year, but I
think the website shows a history of past events - the dates are
normally about the same. St Patrick's Festival Thurs 11th Mar
- Weds 17th March Special Beers Imported from Ireland to include
one-off dry hopped versions from Messrs Maguire / White Gypsy /
Franciscan Well. Egg-stra Special Easter Ales Thurs 1st April - Tues
6th April A selection of unusual Easter Beers to include a few
just for the Anchor one- offs. Major May Festival Thurs 27th - Weds
2nd June 60 + ales - New Breweries / New Beers and some Old
Favourites World Cup Winners Thurs 10th - Tues 15th June A selection
of winners To launch the great competition!
Gerry 24-02-2010
Lock up your wives - the Vikings
will return!
Thanks for a great Saturday night. George is our man! We'll
be back, hopefully you are gonna let us in :-) Regards from a lot of
drunk Norwegians.
Lasse Aaseng - Norway
12-02-2010
A happy snapper visits The
Anchor
Hi Gerry, I pop in to the Anchor regularly and a couple of
Sundays ago on my way back from a weekend in London, I had my camera
with me, having taken pictures of several of my favourite London pubs
while there. Kate and Rob kindly posed for me and I attach the result.
Great pub; great beer; great people! Many thanks
Bob Fenley 11-08-2009
Car Parking at The Anchor
Can you tell me if you have a car park for the pub, or where
is the nearest/easiest place to park? Thanks
Anne Hickmott 19-10-2009
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On street parking is OK after 5pm
or at weekends. During the day though there are few spaces to be
found. There is a car park by the markets, a multi storey Upper Dean
Street which is quite close or at the top of Bradford Street as it
goes into town. Or you could park in the Bullring/Selfridges car
park and walk down to the Anchor, takes about 5 minutes.
Gerry 22-05-2009
Digbeth O'lympics at The Anchor
Digbeth this weekend is holding its annual O'Lympics. The
website is at
www.digbetholympics.org.uk/index.php Come and support your team on
Sunday 20th September at 2pm - 6pm on the hour/every hour. The
Egg-a-thon, and extreme sport requiring dexterity, concentration and
BRAVERY! Teams of two required - not yet a recognised sport but
currently applying to the IOC for recognition. Confirm your interest to
George or Rob and book your starting time.
Gerry 18-09-2008
Brewing up in Rugby
Having come across your advert in August edition of "Last
Orders" and then looking at your fantastic website, I thought I would
get in touch about the possibility of getting our beers on your bar. We
at Rugby Brewing Company run an 8 barrel plant that brews 9 regular
beers and 7 Special Ales. We are getting very positive feedback at
present and think they would be very popular in your pub as you are
obviously very keen on traditional beers.
Damian at Rugby Brewing Company
18-08-2008
Sporting de Gijón football fans
welcome at The Anchor
Hi Gerry, I found this photograph on Flickr. A good
photograph taken inside the Anchor last Saturday when Sporting de Gijón
played Birmingham City.
Rich 11-08-2008
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Thanks Rich - nice photo promoting
great football fans having a good time last Saturday in the Anchor.
Lot of scarves and shirts being exchanged. Good day for football and
sort of renews your faith in proper fans. We are listed on a few
fanzine type websites as being a pub to visit for well-behaved away
supporters. Obviously they check us out for our real ales too!
Gerry 11-08-2009
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A chance meeting on a train from
London meant Julian brought some new friends to the Anchor ~ a group
of Spanish football supporters from Gijón, who were travelling
around 1,100km [700m] coming to see their team, Real Sporting Gijón
play Blues in a pre-season friendly!! Now, we KNOW the Anchor is a
friendly place and welcomes well-behaved away supporters but this
lot were something special. Apart from travelling a not
inconsiderable distance, [and having to stay in London – a penance
for anyone really] the game was - I’ll say again a pre-season
friendly. The group Julian adopted [or was it the other way around?]
were [left to right in the photograph below Lozano, Juancho, Mario,
Jairo, Jose and, in front, Berto....
They were amongst the best fans we have had in the Anchor. Despite
any language problems - which were minimal, thanks to their English
rather than our Spanish! They chatted football, beer and life to
many of the regulars; their passion for their team was obvious, as
was their distain for local Asturian rivals Oviedo. They charmed
everyone they met and enjoyed a few hours of banter and beer.
Despite the “Rojiblancos” - Red and White's - dislike for Blue and
White [Oviedo colours], they have taken Blues to their hearts and
adopted us as their Premier League team. The game was fairly
incidental and they returned to the Anchor having swapped and bought
shirts etc. although mainly the Red and White away versions!
Many of the photos have ended up on the Sporting fans forums. The
one of Spoon has this caption: "Con un heavy "old-school" del
Birmingham en el Anchor. (No olvidemos que esta ciudad es la cuna de
Black Shabath y Judas Priest). Translated - With a heavy
"old-school" from Birmingham at the Anchor [Don't forget that this
city is where Black Sabbath and Judas Priest started]. An extract
from an e-mail with Mario this week: "I was watching the Anchor´s
website this afternoon. It´s very good, and...ups!!, there are a lot
of different beers!!!, I lovely beer!! the Anchor is fantastic!! We
were yesterday in our "anchor" (La Fragua is the name) talking with
the owner, and we are going to see your match against Man Utd. next
Sunday and support BCFC of course! Cheers from Gijon!!!
John McCoy 15-08-2009
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I've recently added The Anchor to
the "recommended pubs" section for away fans looking to visit St
Andrews on AwayGrounds.com (
http://www.awaygrounds.com/birmingham-city-st-andrews/) and
would like to add a photo of the pub if possible so people
unfamiliar with the area can spot it from a distance - Do you have
one I could use on the site?
John Lamerton - Away Grounds
16-09-2009
Flying visit from Liverpool
geologist with a bent for old 78's
I made a quick visit to the Anchor Inn yesterday, after a
long meeting in ThinkTank, before rushing to get a train back to
Liverpool. I just want to say what a wonderful place you have and that I
enjoyed my very brief visit from start to finish. I arrived about 17.05
and was served immediately by a very friendly member of staff [sadly I
did not get the lady’s name], who even offered me a taste of any of the
beers on sale [I went for the Tring Mansion Mild which was very nice].
In the main bar I felt very at home and met a couple of interesting
characters, including a chap called Peter [or Petedave as he also wanted
to be called – I think that is him in the main website photo] with whom
I had an interesting conversation about collecting shellac 78 records.
If you know him please tell him I will look for some up here for him.
Sadly, my train was at 6pm from New Street so I had to rush off just
after 5.30, but I hope I will be back for a more leisurely visit soon.
Good luck with the beer festival.
Tony Morgan, Geologist, Natural History Centre,
World Museum Liverpool 21-05-2009
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Thank you Tony for your very kind
words, I will pass on your comments to Pete/Dave - he is a great
character and well liked. Could I suggest you, if you have the time,
pop your comments on a site called
Beer in
the Evening - that would be appreciated. Please pop into the
Anchor when next in Brum.
Gerry 22-05-2009
Mad About Skinner's Beer
I have just been looking at the beer list for the May beer
festival. It is a very good selection. I noticed that you have Skinner's
"Penny Come Quick" on. I am one of the lads that wrote the Skinner's
article for the CAMRA magazine "Out In Brum", sometime back if you
remember, and my mate is the grandson of Barry the Ticker if you can
remember him, though he is sadly no longer with us. We will be meeting
up at the Anchor on Sunday between 4pm and 5pm and it would be great if
the "Penny Come Quick" was on as we would have a good session as we are
massive fans of the brewery. If you could put it on for Sunday I would
bring you a couple of bottles of Skinner's down for you to enjoy.
Stuart Sturmey, Dudley CAMRA member and
Skinner's Brewery fan 18-05-2009
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Hi Stuart, thanks for your kind
words. I will try and help with your request but no guarantees.
Sorry.
Gerry 20-05-2009
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OK Gerry, thanks for getting back
to me and if the Skinner's is on great, but if not there are lots of
good ones on to sample besides.
Stuart Sturmey, Dudley
20-05-2009
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Me and Ant arrived at the Anchor
at half past three today and within ten minutes the "Penny Come
Quick" was on and it in top form. I had 6 pints and Ant was on his
8th pint when I left. I texted Steve Skinner, the guy who owns
the brewery, to tell him you had "Penny Come Quick" on for the beer
festival and that it was on top form. He texted back to say thank
the landlord for keeping the beer in top condition. Also, I hope you
get the two bottles of Skinner's we left for you - a bottle of Betty
Stogs and a bottle of Heligan Honey. Enjoy!
Stuart Sturmey, Dudley
24-05-2009
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Hi Stuart, glad you enjoyed your
day at The Anchor. We managed to put the Skinner's on as you asked
for the Sunday - it has been very popular. Keep your eyes on our
website as it may get voted back in our "Best of the Fest" when we
bring back the top dozen beers as voted by the customers. If you can
spare the time, would appreciate a review on
Beer in
the Evening. Hope to see you both again soon.
Gerry 25-05-2009
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Hello again Stuart, you will be
glad to hear that Skinner's "Penny Come Quickly" Stout was voted by
the customers to return! No surprise to you no doubt. This will be
on sale at the
Best
of the May Fest that will take place on Thursday 25th to Monday
29th June 2009.
Gerry 30-05-2009
My Little Boozer Webcast
I am now revising our Birmingham entries on the website
www.mylittleboozer.com. Your
Anchor Inn has been added. If you know of other local pubs with their
own websites please let me know. The first week in July is National Pub
Website Week and we hope you will mark this celebration of the Great
British Pub and the importance of having a presence on the world wide
web by holding an event i.e. a web-warming party or barbecue perhaps
including a live webcast.
Dave Sampson 16-05-2009
London Playtex Moonwalk
Hi Gerry, Sorry, I forgot I was supposed to contact you about
the walk that me and Karen are doing. Mo reminded me last night. It's
the London Playtex Moonwalk. On the night of Saturday 16th May 2006 we
will be walking round Hyde Park in our bra's with hundreds of other
ladies, all raising money for Breast Cancer. See
http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home. We are very excited about it and
have raised over £600 so far (www.justgiving.co.uk/bustybluesbabes).
We get our bra's soon and will start decorating them - in royal blue of
course!!
Sue Biela, Bordesley Green
07-04-2009
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Hi Gerry, The walk was on Saturday
night. And we did it! I have attached a couple of photographs for
you as long as you are not offended by ladies in bra's!! We are all
out on Saturday night anyway so will pop in to the Anchor. We have
raised over £1,000 now. Thank you so much.
Sue Biela, Bordesley Green
19-05-2009
The Best Pub in Birmingham
Gerry, thank you for letting me celebrate my 38th birthday at
The Anchor. It is the best pub in Birmingham without a doubt.
Rachel Day aka Rascal The Clown
04-04-2009
Abbeydale Brewery and Off Sales
from The Anchor
Can you let me know what Abbeydale beers you have available
at the moment? Absolution? My reason for asking is that, tragically, a
very close friend from my Round Table was murdered whilst in Florida -
we intend to celebrate his life and give him a good send off and one of
his favourite pubs was the Three Stags Heads in Wardlow where we all
consumed more than a few pints of Absolution/Black Lurcher and the odd
half of the Last Rites… As we are based in Birmingham, Wardlow is a bit
too far to go to buy beer and bring it back and having contacted the
brewery they recommended me to you! Can I also ask if you have any form
of "take away" containers for beer to be brought home? Never done it
before, don't know if such a thing even exists??? I guess I would be
looking to buy about 20 pints?
John Studman, Birmingham
19-03-2009
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So sorry to hear of the death of
your friend. Unfortunately, at the moment we have no Abbeydale beers
in stock - we did a whole weekend selling their beers about a month
ago, which is probably why you were pointed in our direction. Even
if I was to place an order with a supplier today - the earliest I
could have it on sale would be next weekend. I do not think that
would be of any use to you. We do have carry out 4 pint jugs - we
charge £1.50 for them, they are plastic and re useable. The only
other thought that comes to mind - two pubs you could contact, that
may be currently selling an Abbeydale beer: The White Lion at
Bilston and the Waggon and Horses at Halesowen. Hope this
information helps.
Gerry 20-03-2009
Not such a regular customer - a
thirty year gap in visiting the pub
Well as I live and breathe, Gerry Keane!!! I must admit I’m
very impressed with your web site Gerry! And the pub must have improved
somewhat, that I can remember in the late 70’s!!!! Sound’s a great place
to visit!! As it happens, I’m up in Birmingham this weekend and was
looking for an establishment to partake in a few gallons of Magner's. I
was shocked when I couldn’t see that particular tipple on your menu
until I looked in the Winter Sale!! And sure enough, there she blew!!!
There’ll be a few lads I know up for the craic this weekend, one of my
friends is getting married, I don’t know if they’ll all be out for the
session in the Anchor, I’ll probably come on down Saturday afternoon!!
Maybe Friday evening, if you’re around? I could meet up with you for a
pint? I’ll pop in anyway, we’re staying at the Quality Hotel on Hagley
Road, so I suppose it won’t be a very long cab ride – or maybe walk??
Take care and hope to catch up.
Mick McGee, Wembley, Middlesex
04-03-2009
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Hi Mick, great to hear from you.
Same Grade II listed bar - as when you young rugby players used to
pass through on the way to the Boar's Head - I think I have the name
right? Look forward to chewing the cud, from memory the last time we
saw you, you had a wee Coleen in tow? I assume this is a boys only
bash? Will have to get you on "the Keane's" - our own version of
Magner's.
Gerry 05-03-2009
Church End Beer Festival
In your advertisement featured in the latest "What's Brewing"
there is no date for the annual Church End ales festival. Are you not
doing one this year?
Jonathan Kerry
27-01-2009
Former regulars say hello
Very cool Gerry, I was freaked out to see the menu! Gordon
Ramsay look out! Very respectable nosh while supping on your delightful
ale. Pauline has yet another shade of hair, or was it a wig? You and
your moustache look as handsome as ever, tons of character. I will be
making a chicken stuffed with haggis on Burns night and we'll be raising
a glass to you and the crew. Tell everyone we say hello, especially Bob
and Big Phil, how's he handling the menopause and tell Spoon I bet he's
jealous we're in the land of Whisky, we get it on tap! now.
Sheron and Bernie
19-01-2009
Cherry beer mystery
I visited The Anchor on Saturday and had one of the guest
beers which was cherry beer available in half pint only.
What was the name of this beer and what % ABV is it?
Mark Horton, Birmingham
10-11-2008
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Hi Mark, working from the
information you have given me, you were offered only a half pint? in
hopefully a stemmed glass? Then this sounds like Kriek, a Belgian
draught Cherry beer. But this weekend we also had an English cherry
beer on our handpulls from the Elland Brewery. This was called
Serotina Falls 5.0%. I hope this helps.
Gerry 10-11-2008
A happy customer from Kent
I travelled from Dover yesterday to see a mate I had not seen
for 25 years. I also used the trip to visit the famous Anchor Inn. What
a great pub, atmosphere and range of beers. Unfortunately, it was a
flying visit so, I only sampled a few beers. I am now planning my next
trip to Birmingham which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.
Keep up the good work!
Sean, Dover
01-11-2008
Enville Ales at The Anchor
I go into your pub most Friday nights but one night a few
weeks ago I enjoyed the best pint I have ever tasted. The beer was
Enville Ale but, needless to say, it had run out by 10 o'clock that
night. When will you be getting more in? I have been popping in but so
far have not seen it back in your pub.
Bridget Rafferty, Birmingham
08-08-2008
Travelling Away Football Fans
We are four friendly Sheffield United fans coming to our away
game at St Andrew's and would like to visit your pub. Do you welcome
friendly away fans? Also, thanks to Sky TV, the game kicks off at 12.45
which does not leave much time for eating and drinking - what time will
you be open?
Dave Wainwright, Sheffield
03-08-2008
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Hi Dave, we always welcome
well-behaved friendly away fans. Due to the early start time, we are
planning to be open by 10.15am, serving breakfast sandwiches and
some unusual ales! I would imagine we will have quite a few United
fans including Steve from the Fat Cat. Please make yourself known to
us.
Gerry 08-08-2008
Pub Opening Hours
Hi. I have got a good friend coming in from the Netherlands
and I need to impress him with some good beers. You look like the place.
Could you let me know your opening hours in the week?
Keith Butler, Birmingham
29-07-2008
Worcestershire ramblings
Hi Gerry. How's things going? I just found your new pub
website - it's great. Just thought I would say hello mate - love the
photographs on the site. Do any of the old crowd still get in there? I
had some great times there!! I must get up there soon as it's been a
while since I've been to Brum. Bye for now.
Steve McNall, Evesham
24-07-2008
German Weißbier/Lager
Hi, could you let me know what German beers you have. I know
you do Erdinger but a friend of mine said you have some more there too!!
Just love the stuff. If not, do you know somewhere in Birmingham
that does. Quite a low supply here compared to Manchester and London for
some reason.
Dan 02-07-2008
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Hi Dan. We recently lost our
imported Dortmunder lager -short term replacement, but a bit too
mainstream for us - Becks Vier 4%. We also have Schneider Weisse in
bottles, but most of our bottles are Belgian. We were recently
approached by a new source of German speciality beers. We are
hoping to expand our German bottle and draught range though this may
not happen till about August 2008. Hope that answers your query.
Gerry 13-07-1998
Hello Gerry and the Team!
Well! Was just browsing your fab new website - great photo of George! -
and love all the items. It's a bit sad that you haven't included a mini biog of
your great house band One 2 Many as I think they deserve a mention. They
are almost part of the Anchor family now and have seen many a fine
barmaid/barman pass under the bridge, so to speak! Anyway, keep up the good work
and give those guys from One 2 Many a rise in their fee as they're well
worth it - particularly the singer - not 'arf!. Will be passing your way
soon........on the way to The Swan!!!!
Ade 13-02-2008 |
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