diddi dance

Meet our newest franchisees

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We are absolutely thrilled to have had a number of new franchisees join our network here at diddi dance over the last few months. Meet them here to see where they are running fun packed classes, maybe they are local to you? If you’d like to join one of their classes, please contact them below or complete an enquiry form to book a trial here

Josie Ward – Torbay, Central Exeter and Surrounding

“My name is Josie Ward and I am the owner of diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter and surrounding areas. I started dancing at the age of 2 years and have never stopped! I have previously worked as a dancer/entertainer across the U.K, mainly at holiday parks- performing in shows and running daytime and evening children’s entertainment. I have recently completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator course at South Devon college whilst working as a Nursery Nurse within Torquay. Having gained all my experience, I really have found a gap in the market for diddi dance in Torbay/Exeter which really benefit children’s physical and social development, whilst in a fun, relaxed environment. I am so excited to meet and dance with you all.”

Charlotte Burgess – Shrewsbury & South Telford

“I started my diddi dance journey teaching classes in 2017 and am now excited to be bringing more classes to Shrewsbury and South Telford as a franchisee. I keep very busy in my spare time with my three children who love practicing different dance routines with me at home, especially all the cool moves from diddi dance Hip Hop!”

 

 

Kristina Jones – Wrexham, Owestry, Whitchurch & Malpas

“Having danced since a young age I always wanted to be a dance teacher, and luckily for me a local job opportunity lead me to diddi dance! I love our classes and cant wait to share my passion for dance with as many people as possible through diddi dance sessions! Whether you’re young or old, what can beat a boogie?!”

 

 

 

Natalie Battista – South Manchester, North of Cheshire East & Macclesfield

“Hi my name is Natalie and I run diddi dance South Manchester, after the opportunity came up to take over at the end of 2019 having been a diddi dance teacher in the area since 2014.
I have been dancing my whole life along with acting and singing and started my career early as one of Ken Dodd’s Diddymen touring theatres throughout the UK as a child. I spent part of my adult life working as a professional dancer in family shows abroad and entertaining children of all ages throughout the day. I then went onto dance and sing in tribute shows touring the UK. I also do modelling and have had small TV roles as well.
I now have 2 beautiful children, who have also been diddi dancers and I wanted to carry on with my love of dancing so this lead me to teaching for diddi dance which I thoroughly enjoy, so running it was the perfect next step.
I look forward to meeting and dancing with you all xxx”

 

 

 

 

 

New classes starting January 2020

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funky preschool dance classes girls boys

We have new classes starting in the new year, January 2020. See below what’s running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join in the fun.

Our new theme for January will be Hip Hop!

 

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 13th January @ 10.30 – The Avenues Children Centre, Sixth Avenue, York, YO31 0TX
  • Starting Thursday 16th January @ 1.45pm – Oakengrove Community Centre, Reid Park, Haxby, York, YO32 3QW

diddi dance Wirral & South Liverpool:

  • Starting Monday 6th January @ 11.15am –  Greenbank Sports academy (Brunswick room), Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 1AG
  • Sarting Friday 10th January @ 10am – St.Michaels in the Hamlet Church, Belgrave Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 7AG
  • Starting Wednesday 22nd January @ 1.45pm every other week – intergenerational session at Arundel Park (Sanctuary Park), Sefton Park Road, Liverpool, L8 0WN

diddi dance Wrexham, Oswestry, Whitchurch & Malpas:

  • Starting Tuesday 7th January @ 10.45am – Funzone Playbarn Whitchurch, Unit 12 Digital Court, Waymills Ind Est, Whitchurch, SY13 1TT
  • Starting Thursday 9th January @ 1.30pm – Wem Town Hall, 28-32 High Street, Wem, Shrewsbury, SY4 5DG

diddi dance Loughborough, Hinckley, Oadby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 6thJanuary @ 10am – Brock’s Hill Visitor Centre, Brocks Hill Country Park, Washbrook Ln, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5JJ
  • Starting Tuesday 7th January @ 10:30am – Marwood Care Home (intergenerational session), 57 Ashby Road, Loughborough LE12 9BS

diddi dance Bristol:

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 10:00am – St.George Community Centre, Church Road, St.George, BS5 8AA
  • Starting Saturday 11th January @ 9:30am – St.Barts Church Hall, Maurice Road, St.Andrews Park, BS6 5BZ

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 9.30am – Huggle, 8-10 Winchester Road, London, NW3 3NT

diddi dance Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 9.30am – The Grove Centre, 2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London, SE26 6PL

diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 6th January @ 10.45am – Whitestone Parish Halls, Merrymeet, Whitestone,, Exeter EX4 2JS
  • Starting Tuesday 4th February @ 10am – Devon Mamma Studios, Winners 2000 Fitness Ltd, Aspen Way, Paignton, TQ4 7QR

 

toddler hip hop street dance

diddi dance becomes a hero partner for CAW2020

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diddi dance are excited to announce that we have officially become a hero partner for Children’s Activity Week 2020.

Children’s Activity Week will take place next summer from 8th-13th June 2020 to fundraise for Caudwell Children.

Its also a chance for us to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of activities, clubs and classes running across the UK, benefiting both parents and children, from babies to primary school age. The variety of activities highlight the many health, well-being, social and educational benefits for the whole family.

Along with the inspiring and dedicated people, companies and experts that provide these amazing activities, everyone takes part in a whole week of fun and fundraising to change the lives of children with autism and continues to raise standards across all children’s activities.

The theme in 2019 was ‘Watch Me Fly’ and raised a staggering £139,000.

The launch event takes place in February so look out for more information, and we hope you’ll be able to join us in one of our classes during the week to celebrate.

diddi dance founder Anne-Marie Martin wins big at the National What’s On 4 Awards 2019

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The winners of the National What’s On 4 Awards for the Children’s Activities Sector with Morton Michel were announced at a special awards ceremony last Friday. We are absolutely thrilled and proud to announce that our very own founder of diddi dance Anne-Marie Martin, was presented with the highest honour of The Lifetime Achievement Award.

What’s on 4 said “Anne-Marie’s devotion and passion for the industry is awe-inspiring and relentless. We can’t think of a better name to add to the Lifetime Achievement hall of fame for children’s activities.”

As with the other What’s On 4 awards, The Lifetime Achievement award isn’t voted for by customers which means that Anne-Marie’s achievements over nearly 17 years have been recognised by industry leaders as truly exceptional and worthy of bestowing this most prestigious award.

These pioneering awards were launched in 2007 to celebrate the UK’s best children’s clubs and classes, along with leaders, volunteers and party providers for children – as nominated and voted for by the experts – parents, carers and parents-to-be.

Over the last decade, the What’s On 4 Kids Awards have become established as the industry accolade with hundreds of exceptional businesses and individuals in the flourishing sector keen to be part of the action and be in with a chance to be revealed as a finalist or winner!

Anne-Marie said “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to have been recognised for my work with diddi dance, in receiving The Lifetime Achievement award from What’s On 4 and to join such prestigious previous winners of this award is indeed a privilege.”

Now in its 13th year, this National awards programme welcomes the return of headline sponsor Morton Michel and supporters STA and ClassBiz alongside ceremony hosts, NatWest. Parents and carers logged on to What’s On 4 Kids to cast a massive 80,000 nominations and votes to ensure that their ‘most-loved’ were in the running.

What’s On 4 Kids Managing Director, Sam Willoughby, concluded

‘Each and every year it’s a pleasure to welcome back so many activities, keen to be part of these National awards once again but it’s also so exciting to see the new nominees from this thriving sector being showcased for the first time. We know from parents’ testimonials how clubs, classes and individual leaders have such a positive impact on the lives of their children and it’s an honour therefore to publicly recognise and celebrate these activity providers in this way. Huge thank you to NatWest, Morton Michel and all our sponsors and supporters as well as the thousands of parent voters for being such a massive part of the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2019’.
Previous winners of The Lifetime Achievement Award were Steve Franks (Water Babies) in 2017 and Kathy Doolan (Rhythm Time) in 2018.

Whats On 4 Awards 

diddi dance – encouraging a love of moving that will last a lifetime

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💚💗💙 diddi dance – encouraging a love of moving that will last a lifetime 💚💗💙

We are leading the way in encouraging activity and movement in a fun and safe environment, and are sharing a brand new video to show parents exactly what they can expect from joining in a diddi dance class with their little ones.

Our founder Anne-Marie Martin said “we have created a brand-new video for diddi dance, which looks to convey our core mission – encouraging a love of moving that will last a lifetime.

We are absolutely committed to providing a healthy, welcoming and safe environment for the next generation, giving families a way of enjoying movement together and inspiring children from the crucial early years stage to enjoy moving.”

Try a diddi dance class near you today 💃🏻🕺🏼

 

NEW classes starting in September 2019

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funky preschool dance classes girls boys

We are excited to announce we have lots of new classes starting this September. See below what’s running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join.

Our new theme for September will be BOLLYWOOD!

 

In the meantime we do still have a number of summer classes running throughout August with our Reggae theme so why not take a look here for those to keep up with the fun.

 

diddi dance Southport, Sefton & West Lancashire:

  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 9.45am – Jump Warehouse (31 Slaidburn limited), Unit 31 Slaidburn Industrial Estate, Southport, PR9 9YF

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 9.30am – St Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Drive, York, YO23 1BW
  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 1.30pm – Captain Barney’s, 14 Railway Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7NR
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 11.15am – Eversley Park Centre, Low Street, Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire, LS25 6BA

diddi dance Wirral:

  • Starting Saturday 7th September @ 10.30am  – Jireh Hall, Teehey Gardens, Bebington, CH63 2JH

diddi dance Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield & North Walsall:

  • Starting Wednesday 11th September @ 9:45-10:30am – St Mary’s Church, Market Square, Lichfield Town Centre

diddi dance Loughborough, Hinckley, Oadby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Tuesday 3rd  September @ 10am –  360 play, (free stay and play after class), Meridian Leisure Park, Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester LE19 1JZ
  • Starting Wednesday 4th September @ 945am – Glenfield Scout Hall,  Stamford St, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8DL
  • Starting Sunday 8th September @ 11am – Parklands Leisure Centre, Washbrook Ln, Wigston Rd, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5QG

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting Friday 13th September @  11:30-12:15pm – Huggle, 8-10 Winchester Road, London NW3 3NT

diddi dance Bexley & Dartford:

  • Starting Monday 9th September @ 1.30pm – Christchurch Community Hall, Eltham, SE9 1TX
  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 1pm – Holy Trinity, Sidcup DA15 9AE
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 9.30am – St Stephens, Welling DA16 3QL
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 11am – Hall Place Sports Pavilion, Bexley DA5 1PQ
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 1pm – Stone Pavilion, Greenhithe DA99DS
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 10.30am – Chislehurst Methodist Church, BR75LX
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 10am – New Eltham, SE9 3UL

diddi dance Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding

  • Starting Monday 16th September @ 9.25am and 10.15am – Forest Hill V22 Community Studios, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HZ

diddi dance South East Hampshire & Chichester:

  • Starting Monday 9th September @ 10am – Aldingbourne Country Centre, Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0JP
  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 11am – The Avenue Pavillion Petersfield GU31 4JQ
  • Starting Wednesday 11th September @ 9.45am  – The Regis Centre – Bognor Belmont Street, Bognor Regis, PO21 1BL
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 9.45am  – Donnington Village Hall, Stockbridge Road, Donnington, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8QT

diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter & Surrounding:

  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 10am –  Teignmouth Pavilions Studio, Teignmouth Pavilions, Den Cres, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BG
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 10am – St Lukes Church Parish Hall, Lower Hall, St Lukes Road, Torquay, TQ2 5NX
  • Starting Thursday 19th September @ 10am – Bradley Barton Community Centre, Mill Close, Bradley Barton, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1UR
  • Starting Monday 30th September @ 9.45am – Exeter Community Centre, 17 St David’s Hill, Exeter, EX4 3RG

diddi dance Plymouth & Surrounding

  • Starting Wednesday 18th September @ 1.30pm – Moo Music Café, Mutley Plain, Plymouth PL4 6JJ


diddi dance receives 5 Star Franchisee Satisfaction rating

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diddi dance has received the results of its Franchise Satisfaction Survey conducted with Work Buzz. This is to ensure that we can continue to build upon the work we do with our franchise network and to improve the service we provide to our franchisees.

For the 6th year running, diddi dance is extremely proud to have been awarded the 5 Star Satisfaction Award from the survey, with an overall satisfaction score achieved of 85%.

Work Buzz describe the survey objective,

“to identify and understand how the franchise is performing through the eyes of its franchisees. This survey covers the critical areas of training and support, products and services, marketing, franchisee-franchisor relations, leadership and rewards.”

Just some of the feedback we received about our diddi dance franchise from our current franchisees includes:

“Always very supportive. Always available to help at any time.”

“The branding is incredible and the new marketing is very innovative.”

“A great support system.”

“An excellent leadership team.”

Top franchisors, based on the feedback, are then shortlisted for the Best Franchise Awards 

To be part of our award-winning franchise network please get in touch today!

Summer classes

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We have a number of classes taking place throughout the summer with our Reggae theme. Take a look below to see what is running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join in the summer fun.

 

diddi dance Lancaster, Preston & Kendal:

  • Monday 29th July @ 10:30am  – Galloway’s, Penwortham, Galloway’s, Howick House, Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham PR1 0LS
  • Friday 2nd August @ 9:30am – Galloway Hall, Fulwood, Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood PR2 3BS
  • Friday 2nd August @ 11am – Lancaster Leisure Park, Lancaster Leisure Park, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster LA1 3LA

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Mondays 5th & 12th August @10am – St Oswalds Church, Main Street, Fulford, YO31 4HJ
  • Thursdays 25th July, 1st August & 8th August @ 10am – Spearehead Hall, St Mary’s Parish Church, Church Road, Strensall, YO32 5UN

diddi dance Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield & North Walsall:

  • Monday 22nd & 29th  July @ 9.45am – Mere Green Community Centre, B75 5BT
  • Tuesdays 23rd July & 30th July @ 9:45am – Avon Centre, WS11 1LH
  • Thursdays 25th July & 8th August @ 9:45am – Pelsall Village Centre, WS4 3LX
  • Thursdays 1st August & 15th August @ 9:45am – Oak Park Active Living Centre, WS9 9BH
  • Saturdays 3rd August & 10th August @ 10am – Pelsall Village Centre, WS3 4LX
  • Saturday 3rd August @ 9:45am – Little Aston Village Hall, B734 3UF

diddi dance Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire & Stafford:

  • Fridays 26th July, 2nd & 9th August (3 weeks) @ 9.45am – The Red House Albrighton WV7 3LU, £5 per child
  • Mondays 29th July & 5th August (2 weeks) @ 10am – Bilston Methodist Church WV14 7NB, £5 per child
  • Mondays 29th July & 5th August (2weeks) @ 10.15am – Stafford Rangers Football Club ST16 3BX, £5 per child
  • Tuesdays 30th July & 6th August (2 weeks) @ 10.15am – Newhampton Arts Centre Wolverhampton WV1 4AN, £5 per child
  • Thursdays 1st & 8th August (2weeks) @ 10.15am – Landywood Children’s Centre, Great Wyrley WS6 6AQ, £5 per child
  • Saturday 3rd August (1 week only!) – Newbridge Preparatory School, Tettenhall WV6 0LH, £5 per child

diddi dance Reading & Wokingham:

  • Wednesday 24th July @ 10am – St Barnabas Church Hall, Elm Road, Earley, Reading, RG6 5TS
    Thursday 25th July @ 10am – Wokingham Youth & Community Centre, 35 Reading Road, Wokingham, RG41 1EG
    Monday 29th July @ 10am – Emmanuel Church Centre, Southlake Crescent, Woodley, RG5 3QW
    Tuesday 30th July @ 10am – Lord Harris Court*, Mole Road, Sindlesham, RG41 5EA
    Thursday 8th August@ 10am – Wokingham Youth & Community Centre
    Friday 9th August @ 10am – YMCA (Sports Hall), 34 Parkside Road, Reading, RG30 2DD
    Wednesday 21st August @ 10am – St Barnabas Church Hall, Earley
    Thursday 22nd August @ 10am – Wokingham Youth & Community Centre
    Tuesday 27th August @ 10am – Lord Harris Court*, Sindlesham,
    *Inter-generational class in a residential care home

diddi dance Harrow & North Hillingdon:

  • Monday 29th July and 5th August @ 9:45am – Pinner Methodist Church, Love Lane, HA5 3EE
    Wednesday 31st July & 7th August @ 9:45am, South Ruislip Community Centre, Deane Park Hall, Long Drive , HA4 0HS
    Friday 2nd August & 9th August @ 10:00am – Bernays Memorial Hall,25 The Broadway, Stanmore ,HA7 4DA

diddi dance North London:

Classes running between 5th -23rd August

  • Mondays @ 10am & 11am – Artsdepot, North Finchley, 5 Nether Street, N12 0GA
  • Monday 12th and 19th August @ 10am – West Reservoir Centre, Stoke Newington, Green Lanes, N4 2HA
  • Tuesdays @ 10am – Lift Youths Hub, Angel, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW
  • Tuesdays @ 10am – Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End, 165 Tottenham Lane, N8 9BY
  • Fridays @ 10.30am – Huggle, Swiss Cottage, 8-10 Winchester Road, NW3 3NT

diddi dance London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames:

  • Wednesday 7th, 14th & 21st August @ 9:45 – Crane Community Centre Twickenham TW2 6NH
  • Thursday 8th ,15th & 22nd August @ 10am – St Johns Centre Isleworth TW7 6RU
  • Friday 9th ,16th & 23rd August @ 10am Bright Horizons Nursery North Sheen TW9 1XS

diddi dance Bexley & Dartford:

  • Wednesday 24th July @ 10am – Bexley Cricket Club DA5 3QG
  • Wednesday 31st July, 14th August & 28th August @10am – New Eltham SE9 3UL

diddi dance South East London:
Classes running between Monday 22nd July to Friday 6th September:

  • Mondays @ 10am – Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, London SE3 7SE (no class on 26th August bank holiday)
  • Tuesdays @10am – Greenwich West, Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8JA
  • Wednesdays @ 10am – Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, London SE3 7SE
  • Thursdays @ 10am – Good Shepherd Church, Handen Road, London SE12 8NR
  • Fridays @ 10am – Under 1 Roof, Skeffington Street, London SE18 6SR

diddi dance Plymouth & Surrounding

  • Monday 22 July, 29 July, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug @ 9.45am – Woolwell Centre, Darklake Lane, Plymouth PL6 7T
  • Monday 22 July, 29 July, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug @9.45am – Pomphlett Church, Pomphlett Road, Plymstock PL9 7BL
  • Tuesday 23 July, 30 July, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug @ 9.45am Trinity Church, Torr Lane, Plymouth PL3 3NY
  • Wednesday 24 July, 31 July, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug @ 9.45am – Hemerdon Village Hall, 1 Southview, Hemerdon, Nr Plympton PL7 5BU
  • Friday 26 July, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug @ 9.45am – Tothill Community Centre, Knighton Road, St Judes, Plymouth PL4 9DA
  • Friday 26 July, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug @ 9.45am – Ivybridge Scout Hut, St Leonards Road, Ivybridge PL21 0SL
    Saturday 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug @ 9.30am – Tothill Community Centre, Knighton Road, St Judes, Plymouth PL4 9DA

 


diddi dance wins at EWIF awards

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Our very own diddi dance Founder Anne-Marie Martin was yesterday awarded the highest accolade at the EWIF awards 2019 – Inspirational Woman Franchisor 2019, sponsored by Little Voices.

We are delighted to be celebrating this most prestigious of awards for Anne-Marie at diddi dance HQ.

Anne-Marie was awarded the title at the EWIF ceremony yesterday, due to a hugely successful year last year, both as a franchisor, for her brand and network, and personally. This included delivering talks at local women’s networking events, sharing her experiences at franchising events, and inspiring the next generation at local schools, advocating franchising at every opportunity.

Improvements to the franchisee training and ongoing support, has seen the network feeling more motivated and empowered with even more webinars, face-to-face meetings, and forums. As a result, based on franchisee satisfaction, the franchise has been awarded 5* status for five years in a row. Whilst overall turnover increased, right across the network.

 

We also give huge congratulations to our franchisee Charlotte Foxley who runs diddi dance North Essex and South Suffolk, for winning Woman Franchisee of the Year 2019, Sponsored by McDonalds.

Charlotte runs a team of six teachers who cover 20 classes a week and works with several nurseries and special needs schools delivering diddi dance. Charlotte’s business is the first diddi dance franchisee to complete the Para Dance Instructor qualification in July.

And a massive well done to Emily Norman who runs diddi dance Bristol, for making it as a finalist in her category of  Young Woman in Franchising, a brilliant achievement.

We’re so proud of all of our diddi finalists and winners!

 

 

 

 

 

diddi dance nominated for What On 4 Kids Awards 2019

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diddi dance are excited to say we have been nominated for two What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2019 in the following categories:

Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity – Franchisor or Independent Taught By 30+ Leaders
Most Loved Party Activity – with 40+ Leaders Overall

These awards celebrate the UK’s biggest brands in the world of kids’ activities, the nations most talented teachers and class leaders, the most amazing volunteers and best party people – as nominated and voted for by the experts – parents, carers and parents-to-be.

If you can spare a minute please vote for us then wish us luck for a win!

Closing date for voting is 12 noon on 24th June 2019.

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