New! RED RAG ... Reading's Most Red Newspaper ... Free Fortnightly Issue Date:- July 7th - 20th Next Issue Copy Date: 6pm Thursday 18th July. Co-ordinator: Liz, 691135. Events: Liz, 691135. Going Out: Mark, 782178. Advertizing: James, 595605. Distribution: Pogle, 92 680051. - - - LOCAL STORES IGNORE BAN ON WEEDKILLERS Recent tests have shown that the herbicide Ioxynil caused birth defects in rats and rabbits exposed to high doses, and the Ministry of Agriculture has placed a temporary ban on wholesale supplies to shops. At least one local retailer - Ruralcrafts at Winnersh - has told the Post that they will continue to sell the products (because the Government have no powers to ban retail sales) saying 'we have too much in stock not to sell what we have already'! Ioxynil is contained in Actrilawn, New Clovotox, Fisons Lawn Weedkiller, Super Verdone, Biolawn Weedkiller and New Clovocide. Before the news of the ban some of these were on sale at Boots and Woolworths, and doubtless many other outlets. We want to compile a list of all outlets still offering these products, so that we can give them lots of publicity until they send them back to the manufacturers, or at least withdraw them from sale. Please help by telling us what you find in the shops - we are also interested in sightings of compounds containing Dichlorvos, Thiram, Aldicarb, Captan, Paraquat, Lindane/HCH, 245-T, and Chlordane / Heptachlor, which are more suspect than most other biocides. All Guilty until proved Innocent. John Booth for Reading FoE, Tel. 86826O. - - - HENLEY REGATTA After the second of the 'Bash the Rich' ego trips in the Rag in a month, and only the rather strange "just print this" reply (sounding more like a message from the boys in blue than a discussion of the issues) I feel a reasoned, radical, alternative response was in order.... OK so the 'rich' flaunting their 'riches' is immoral, insulting and crass - on that all (A)narchists are agreed. The differences arise as to what should be done... We are aiming/working for a Utopian world, enough and equality for all, a world of love, co-operation and happiness - without leaders and exploiters. There are essentially 2 ways out of the 'state-us-quo' and into the revolution: 1) Kill, Bash, Oppress all those who hold anti-revolutionary beliefs and keep them suppressed while we all live happily (until they rise up again). 2) See the common humanity in our oppressors, help them realise that their riches are someone else's poverty, that their prejudices are someone else's pain, that their gain is someone's loss. Persuade, explain the common Utopian vision - and once they've seen it... Like it or not the children of the leaders and exploiters will be part of our Utopian tomorrow - which part is up to us. Violent revolutions have always left plenty of people feeling hateful, resentful, unco-operative and opposed to the new revolutionary order. They are bound to because of the bloodshed and hate that was the revolution. The new oppressed of your revolution (the 'filthy rich' etc) will not forget the 'good old days' and will struggle for the counter revolution. If, on the other hand, we take option 2 to Utopia - love everyone equally, help everyone - especially 'the rich' realise that the insecure, back biting competitive way of life could be changed, as much for their good as everyone else's, and persuade the land 'owners' to share their land with the community then we can move towards the revolution hand in hand with no turning back. So, yes, go to Henley, communicate and change with love for hate, violence and war won't change their minds - any more than it would change yours. Love, Peace and Hugs, Andrew. - - - ANARCHIST: (n) A person who advocates the abolition of government and a social system based on voluntary co-operation. Be very careful about who you would call Anarchist. - - - SAVE THE WHALES - AGAIN In 1982 an historic International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting voted through a moratorium on all commercial whaling to begin in 1986. However, Japan seems to have no intention of stopping whaling. If this happens other countries will find it easier to break the ban. It could be the end of what seemed so certain in 1982. The 1985 IWC meeting is in Bournemouth from July 15-19th. Bournemouth FoE have arranged events for the whole week starting on Sat. 13th. There will be a march and demo on the Monday. Come to Bournemouth and remind the IWC that nothing less than an effective moratorium will do. More details from: Reading FoE, Tel. 363260 or Dave Parkins, 0202 520324. - - - CASSETTE SERVICES This issue of Red Rag will be available on cassette for people with sight problems. Contact Guy on 669562. Also, help is needed from people with clear voices to read various bits onto the tape. All offers of help to Guy on the above number. - - - OUTLETS You can pick up the Rag from any of the following outlets: Acorn Bookshop, under Chatham St car park Central Club, London St Centre for the Unemployed, East St Continental Stores, Cemetery Junction Elephant Groceries & Off-license, Derby St Eurofoods, Crown Colonade, Cemetery Junction Fairview Community Centre, George St Fine Food Stores, 168 Oxford Rd Harrison's Newsagent, Caversham Rd Harvest Wholefoods, Harris Arcade, Friar St Jelly's Stores, Whitley St Kan's Kitchen, London Rd Ken's Shop, SU Whiteknights Ling's Chinese Fish Bar, Wokingham Rd Listen Records, Butts centre Mo's Place, London St Music Market, Union St Number Sixty, Christchurch Green Pop Records, 172 King's Rd Rag Doll, London St Reading Wholefoods, London Rd Sanco Newsagents, Caversham Rd Sugar Bowl, Wokingham Rd Sutherlands, Erleigh Rd Tech College, King's Rd UB Cycles, London St - - - MONEY Red Rag has enough money to pay for half of this issue! But of course such a state of semi-solvency is unlikely V to last long. Red Rag depends entirely on your donations (and the occasional advertisement) for survival. You can send cheques or POs made out to "Red Rag" at our usual address. Or you can put cash in the collecting boxes we have at Acorn, the Elephant Off-Licence, Harvest Wholefoods, Rag Doll, Pop Records, or Eurofoods (for addresses see list of outlets elsewhere this issue). Best of all, ask for a standing order form and support us that way. We have currently 36 such regular donations, bringing in an average of £65 a month - rather less than half the cost of producing the Rag. We charge £12 for a half-page ad and £7 for a quarter-page. Small ads are free, as are listings in Events and Going Out. - - - ORGANISATIONS Amnesty 2nd Thurs of month, St Mary's Centre, Chain St. Jean 472598. Anarchists: Mondays. Box 19, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. Berks Anti-Nuclear Campaign / CND: General meeting 2nd Tues. PO Box 158. West: Ed Wilson 594855. East: Steve Cavin 663177. South: Stanley Plimsoll 861183. Cav'm: Ruth Winchester 482681. Berks Humanists: 2nd Fri. 774871. Berks Conservation Volunteers: Sundays: practical conservation Keith, Bracknell 56796. PO Box 165, Reading. Communists: 2nd Tues, AUEW, 121 Oxford Rd. Eileen 477913. Cycle Campaign: 2nd Mon, 8pm at UB Cycles, London St. John 483183 or John 64667. Cyclists' Touring Club: Richard, Bracknell 50849. Direct Action Group: Tues 8 pm Wellington Arms in Whitley St. Ecology Party: 1st & 3rd Mon, 8 College Rd & 38 Long Barn Rd respectively. Maria 55415. Friends of the Earth: John or Anne Booth 868260. Greenham Support (women): Fortnightly meetings. Night watch every Thurs. Contact via Women's Centre. History of Reading: 1st Tues, Abbey Gateway, the Forbury. Labour History: Monthly. Mike 867769 or Kathy 590139. Labour Militant: Ian 666734. LPYS: Weds, Fairview Centre, George St, 8pm. Men's Group: Weekly. Box 28, Acorn Bookshop. Miner's Support: Thurs, TGWU, 36 King's Rd. 590311. Nat. Council for Civil Libs: 2nd Mon, St Mary's Centre, Chain St. Paul 861582. Newtown Community Ass.: Alternate Weds, 7.30, 117 Cumberland Rd. Peace Pledge Union: Monthly. 588459, 374532 or Box 10, Acorn Bookshop. Reading Birth Centre: 3rd Tues. 61330. Rg. 0rg. for Animal Rights: 1st Tues., the Crown, Crown St. Dave 54098 or Geoff 476529. Reading Between the Lines. Red Rag's guide to Reading, has details of many more groups and organisations than are listed here. It costs 50p from bookshops and other outlets. Shelter: lst Thurs, Centre for Unemployed, East St, 8pm. Mark Goldup 863153. Socialist Workers: Weds, 8pm, Red Lion, Southampton St. Vegans: lst Sun, 1 Orrin Clo, Tilehurat. Liz or Steve 21651. Workers' Power: 584558. Women's Centre: Open Sat 11-3. Basement, Old Shire Hall, Abbey St. No tel. All women & kids welcome. Meetings on 'first of the month', 7.30. Reading Centre for the Unemployed (RCU): Open 9-30-4.30 M-F not Fri mornings. 4-6 East St 596639. - - - HELP? Alcoholics Anon: 597494 24hrs Age Concern: 598097 Family planning clinic: 24 Craven Rd. 864621 10-1. Gingerbread: (l-parent family support) contact via CAB Citizen's Advice Bureau: St Mary's Butts. 598059. Incest Survivors' Group: write c/o Rape Crisis Line Housing & Welfare Rights: Centre for Unemployed 596639. Housing Aid Centre: 55911, Civic Offices. Nightline: 872268 6pm - 8am in Univ. term time. No.5: 585858. Help for young people. 24 Sackville at. Pregnancy testing: Tues 7-9, Women's Centre, Abbey St. Free. Bring urine sample from first pee of the day. Parents Anon: 587154. Rape Crisis Line: 55577. Staffed Sun 7.30-10.30; 24 hr answerphone. Readibus (transport for old & disabled): 591121 Reading Gay & Lesbian Helpline 597269, Tues and Fri 8-10pm. Info and support. Samaritans: 58454, 24 hrs. 154 Southampton St, 9am - l0pm. Special clinic (VD etc): 863355 before 12 noon. - - - PEACE NEWS Peace Pledge Union Some of Reading's pacifists (P.P.U.) met in Caversham on Wednesday 26th June and talked about quite a few things. Some of which are as follows: Peace By Peace Bus... which is coming to Reading on July 27 and staying till the 30th. We've arranged for it to be in Hills Meadow on 28 July. We're asking all Environmental, Peace groups etc. and Street Theatre to come and have a good time with us. P.P.U. Summer Camp August 23-26 bank holiday weekend. This year, the Weekend Summer Camp will be held at the Abbey, Sutton Courtney, Abingdon, Oxon., and the cost will be £14.00 including food. (17.00 unwaged.) Upper Heyford Peace Picnic. We're arranging a big family picnic at Upper Heyford Peace Camp on Sunday August 18th from 12-4. Bring food and some to share with others. Bring musical instruments... make it a musical afternoon! Finance. We realise we're broke again, so a gig's to be arranged and other things as fund raisers. Please come along and support when they happen. Alconbury 9 trial. A group of us went along on the opening day of the trial, and it felt good to have been there in a supportive role. Also, a group went along to Reading Crown Court recently to support 5 Greenham woman on trial for cutting the fence at Aldermaston. Brambles Farm Peace Festival. August 9-11. Plans for Brambles Farm are well under way and neighbouring Southampton Council are supporting the festival in an official capacity... It promises to be really good and lots of groups are booked to appear. Cruise Publicity. The idea has been floated of getting a boat to cruise up and down the river advertising the whereabouts of Cruise to Sunday boaters, the first Sunday it's out on exercises. This is to be arranged with other groups in the area of the Thames. Cruise needs more publicity, any ideas...?! The next meeting will be on Thursday July 18th, at 44, Gosbrook Road, Caversham @ 8.00. Come along, new people, new ideas most welcome. Tel: 483416 - - - READING BETWEEN THE LINES We want to get the 1985-6 edition of Red Rag's indispensible guide to Reading out in good time. So if you're interested in helping, or have any ideas or criticisms of the current one, please get in touch with James on 595605. - - - (paid ad) NEWTOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION meets every 2nd Weds of the month at the community house. Are you looking for premises in Newtown? The community house offers you space and time for new and exciting community groups. 117 Cumberland Road. Contact Kate 68158 / Hazel 662720 - - - GIG REVIEW "Rantle Rantle Rabbit Rave. I'm not quite too old to be called 'New Wave' I've got nothing much new to say But I'll Say It Very Loud (and very very fast) Rantle Rantle Rabbit Rave." Genghis the Dishwasher. Attila the Stockbroker sounded a year or two behind the times at the Paradise on Tuesday 25th June (or is that just 'alternative Reading'?) But he was ably supplemented by Tymon Dog who displayed great creative resilience in the face of a sparse 'crowdlet'. The Frugivore sang a few gentle strong songs which I found delightfully relaxing. Teenagers from Outer Space started and finished the evening with lively flings. Vegan nosh in the corner. A not-very-dark midsummer night to accompany us home. A good evening out: congratulations to The Crack, who plan to put on several more shows with 'alternative cabaret' type performers. Good luck to them! Half of Attila's act seemed to be piss-takes of Billy Bragg. I saw Billy Bragg at Glastonbury the weekend before and was very impressed with him (BB, that is). I still won't vote Labour, but I came away with a lot of respect for the political and personal stand that underlies a lot of his music. Quite by accident (fortuitous coincidence this!), I also saw Rory McLeod perform at Glastonbury. The Crack are Presenting him at the Paradise on Tuesday July 9th. A performer who gives the audience life and enjoyment, but who doesn't shy away from confronting real, sometimes painful issues while he entertains. I recommend him heartily. Genghis. - - - NEW GAMES The games conspiracy were invited to "do sum games" at the Emmer Green youth club last Tuesday. The kids (20 or so) were 8 to 12 year olds and appeared pensive, but lively... There were 6 'bigguns' - also pensive, but not so lively perhaps... Still, if we couldn't win (Pardon?!) 'em over with our collective skills and charm - we could overwhelm them by our strength of number... Fortunately, the former method prevailed as we spent 2 hours playing games such as: 'Smaug's Jewels', 'Dragon's Tail', 'Musical Hoops', 'Giants, Wizards and Elves', 'Snake-in-the-Grass', 'Wink Killer', 'Chain Tag' (Blob?), 'Stick-in-the-mud', 'Jaws', 'Crocodiles', and other new games too tired to mention. All told, a good experience for all who played. It was refreshing to see some of the staff at the youth club joining in the fun too. Certainly some barriers were present at the start. But, they seemed to fade into laughter as we (not the kids) collapsed at the finish! ...It's never too late to have a happy childhood (Right on, eh kids?!) _ ' The games conspiracy are a mixed assortment of individuals of different shapes, ages, sizes and views. What we have in common is we like to play new games - Any-time, any-where?! The games are mostly co-operative and are suitable for any one who's ever said "Let's play a game". Pssst If you haven't heard of the games conspiracy or any of the games mentioned above and would like to find out more - either: Come along to the next session on Sunday 14th July at Palmer Park, outside the adventure playground - 2pm. (They are fortnightly thereafter) Or: call at Acorn Bookshop for further into. - - - AESTHETIC BASIS OF MORALITY "The secret of our collective ills is to be traced to the suppression of spontaneous creative ability in the individual..." Herbert Read - - - GOING OUT GUIDE Special Offer! Book early to avoid disappointment; Red Rag brings you a coherent and comprehensive theory of pragmatic revolution sparked off by a catalytic élite of professional graduate revolutionaries (contd. next issue of "Social Worker"...). Melt away the pains and bruises of barricades with, for example... Key: - SHP: South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell 0344 484123 - Hex: Hexagon Theatre, Queens Walk, Reading (0734) 591591 - Paradise Club: 112 London St. Reading (0734) 576847 Sunday 7th July The Coup de Grace for Henley Regatta. Palmer Park - reggae sound system, 1pm, free. Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, free. The Butler - (Chatham St.) - jazz, with Clem Adelman, 8pm, free. Gardens open:- White Cottage, Shepards Green, Henley 2-7. Wooley Park, (S. of Wantage) 2-6. South Hill Park - Folk Festival end, with Oyster Band, Blowzabella, Watson, Ashley Hutchins, theatre, Morris, etc. £6, from 10.00am. Monday 8th July Silks, Bath Rd, Thatcham - IQ, 8pm, £2. Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley - jazz/soul/funk 8pm free. Bull, High St., Nettlebed - Folk Club, 8pm, free. Albion, Oxford Rd - Pete James Original Jubilee Jazz Band 8pm. S.H.P. - "City Heat" (15) 7.45pm £2:50. Tuesday 9th July S.H.P. - African Jazz Special - Thomas Mapfumo & Soma Soma. 7.30pm, £4:50. Poets Anonymous - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8.30, free. Out of Town Club, Padworth - live bands. Paradise Club - "The Crack", A club within a club - Rory McCloed & The Gathering, £3/£2 UB40, 9-2. New Yorker - The Big Shots (jazz & blues) 9pm free. Wednesday 10th July The New Yorker, Queens Walk - Jive Dive Club til late. "Local heart-throb troubadours made good" A Nation Mourns will be in the Studio, S.H.P., 10am (bit early, ow!) - 6pm. Merry Maidens, Shinfield - In Berlin, 8pm. Sloppy Joe's, Station Hill - gay disco: 2nd birthday party, 9-2am, £1:50 with membership card. St. Mary's Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh - Barn Dance at 8pm. Euro-folk Dance - Friends Meeting Hse, off S'ton St. 7.45 £1. S.H.P. - "City Heat" (15) 7.45pm £2:50. Hexagon - Forbidden Colours & The Boys From Brazil, 7.30-10.30, free. Pandemonium: Thursday 11th July Paradise Club - Unity Hi Power Sound & Diamonds Sound: Sportswear Reggae party, £?, 9-2. Boar's Head, Friar St - Funktion at the Junktion, 8pm, free. Market Inn, Brazil - Blue Heaven, 8pm, free. S.H.P. - Undercover Club, Cellar Bar, 8-12: local/live bans £1:50. Sportsman, Shinfield - Country & Western, 8pm, free. Folk Club - Stag & Hounds, Pinkeys Green, M'head, 8, free. S.H.P. - "Christ Stopped at Eboli", 7.45pm, £2:50. Hexagon - Jive Alive & World Service, 7.30-10.30, free. Ship Hotel, Duke St. - "Rdg 18 Plus" Blankety Blank. Come on down (sorry, wrong one,) at 8pm. Friday 12th July Lamb, Eversley - folk, 8pm, free. Lord Raglan, Denmark St., Wokingham - New Orleans jazz, 8pm. Guildford Open Street Festival - Funktion at the Junktion & more, details John, G. 36981. Hexagon - Shooting the Rapids & Westone, 7.30-10.30 free. Tree Club Tour of Albury Park, phone Rdg 874347. S.H.P. Wilde Theatre - Berkshire Junior Opera, 7.30, £2. Paradise Club - Reality (Coventry Reggae band) The Track One Sound. 9-2am, £2:50. S.H.P. - "Wetherby" (15) £2:50 7.45pm. Saturday 13th July Hexagon - Force Majeure + The Thin Line, 7.30-10.30, free. Old Town Hall, Blagrave St. - Body dropping + break dancing - Reading Youth Championship Heats - 2pm - 7pm, £1:50. (Then) Soul disco with Street Level + Guest Sound, £1/£2, 7-12 midnight. Paradise Club: -- ? -- S.H.P. - "Wetherby" (15) 7.45pm, £2:50 (also 10.30pm). Sunday 14th July New Games, Palmer Park, 2pm, free & easy. Reggae Sound System, Palmer Park, 1pm, free (near New Games?) Hexagon - Craft Fair, 10am. Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, free. S.H.P. - Terrace Bar: Julian Hirst (magician), lunchtime, free. S.H.P. Wilde Theatre - jazz - Ronnie Kole (piano), Stan Tracy & Will Gaines (jazz tap dancer), 8pm, £3:50. Gardens open:- The Old Rectory, Burghfield, 2-6, no dogs, teas. Bradfield - the Coach House (no dogs) - Mariners, tea & ice cream - the Village House (dogs on leads). S.H.P. - "Wetherby" (15) 7.45pm, £2:50. The Butler, Chatham St - jazz, Clem Adelman, 8pm, free. Monday 15th July Silks, Bath Rd, Thatcham - live band. Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley - jazz/funk/soul, 8pm, free. The Bull, Nettlebed - folk club, 8pm, free. Albion, Oxford Rd - Pete James Original Jubilee Jazz Band, 8pm. S.H.P. - "Wetherby" (15) 7.45pm, £2:50. Tuesday 16th July Poets Anonymous - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8:30, free. S.H.P. - "Wetherby" (15) 7.45pm, £2:50. Univ. Dept. of Music, Upper Redlands Rd - Mozart recital, 7.30pm, £3:50 (incl. buffet). (860905) New Yorker, Queens Walk - Burning Ambition, 9pm, free. Wednesday 17th July Pandemonium - European folk dancing, 7.45pm - as July 10th. The New Yorker, Queens Walk - Jive Dive Club. S.H.P. - "Wetherby" (15) 7.45pm, £2:50. Thursday 18th July Boars head - live band, 8pm, free. (R'n'B?) Folk Club - Stag & Hounds, Pinkeys Green, M'head, 8.15 free. S.H.P. Cellar Bar - Undercover Club, 8-12 £1:50. Live bands. Sportsman, Shinfield - Country & Western, 8pm, free. Paradise Club - Young Dead & Studio Magic Sound Systems, £2:50, 9-2am. S.H.P. - Independent Video Screening - "Unstable Elements:- Atomic Stories 1939-45" - (his)story of atomic weapons in post war GB. 7.45pm, free. Ship Hotel, Duke St - Rdg 18+ Hawaiian disco: does your shirt feature at least 7 lurid tropical fruits? Friday 19th July Old Town Hall, High Wycombe - Maxi Priest. Folk Club - The Lamb, Eversley. Macrobiotic Meeting & Meal - 100 Northumberland Ave. Please phone in advance to check: 860813. S.H.P. - "Amadeus" (PG) 7.45 £2:50. Log Raglan, Wokingham - New Orleans jazz, 8pm, free. Paradise - Duane Ford & The Shakin' Snakes & support, 9-2am. The Fulchrum, Slough - Roaring Boys. (Slough 38669) Saturday 20th July Nettlebed Folk Festival - All day - details Mike: M'head 36620. Hexagon - Sideways Laughing - free lunchtime gig, 12.15. South Reading Leisure Centre, Whitley - bodypopping & breaking championship final, 7.30-10.30. £1:50 under 16 / £2: with Pato banton, Apollo's AS Breakers & The Track One Sound. Paradise -- ? -- Will he or won't he, pt 4... will Jah Shaka play at Central Club, sunset - sunrise, with Jah Marcus? S.H.P. - Wilde Theatre - Berks. Youth Orchestra, 7.30, £2. S.H.P. - "Amadeus" (PG) 7.45 £2:50. Sunday 21st July Ship Hotel, Duke St - Radio 210 Black Expressions roadshow, with Sandra Criss, Reading MCs, presenters, etc. Soul Cruise on the Caversham Princess, with 2 soul discos - ticket only, £7:50. Set sail 7pm prompt, Cav Bridge. Reggae Sound in Palmer Park, 1pm, free. Hexagon - record convention, 11am. S.H.P. Terrace Bar - Katesgrove Steel Band, lunchtime, free. Readifolk, Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, free. The Butler, Chatham St - jazz, Clem Adelman, 8pm, free. Coley Nursery Open Day - Wensley Rd. Houseplants & dahlias - 2.30-6.00pm, free. Gardens open - Old Rectory Cottage - no dogs; plants for sale. - University (Pepper Lane) - tea & biscuits. S.H.P. - "Amadeus" (PG) 7.45 £2:50. Monday 22nd July Reading Recreation summer playschemes start all over Reading today. Details 55911 ext. 2069. Tuesday 23rd July Paradise Club - Lol Coxhill, Dave Holland Quartet & The Pandemonium Dance Unit. £2:50-£1:75 9-late. Festivals July 13 - Tewksbury Medieval Fair (nr Gloucester) July 13 - Pimilco Free Festival - Food for Africa. St. Georges Square, London. July 13/14 - Solsbury Hill Peace Picnic, Bath. July 19-21 - Womad - New Order, The Fall, Toots, & loads more. Mersea Island, Essex. £16 weekend, 0272 290212. July 26-28 - Cambridge Folk Festival, Cherry Hinton Hall. 0223 358977. July 26-28 - Elephant Fayre, St. Germans, Cornwall. 0503 30816. Theatre Hexagon: 15-20 July: "Spider's Web" (Agatha Christie) 8pm nightly + Weds 2.30, Sat 5pm. From £2:50. Hexagon: 22-24 July: "Tropical Heatwave" revue (Cambridge footlights) 8pm, £2:50/£3:50. Wokingham Theatre, Norreys Ave., 12-20 July: "Dry Rot" (John Chapman) 7.45pm. £1:25-£1:75: phone 785363. Progress Theatre, The Mount - no up-to-date details: phone 874230. The Mill, Sonning: 16 July - 17 August: "Noel & Gertie" (Coward) Rdg. 698000. Statement of Intent "Never go to them / let them come to you / just like I do...". Yes, so send ' m in! All those who/what/when/where/why bits & pieces. Informers using state telephones should contact me on 782178 before 10.30. With hugs and squeezes (to keep you from diseases!) Mark P.S. Friday Live at S.H.P. closed til August 2nd. Watch this space: [ ]. And this one: ( ). - - - LETTERS Dear Red Rag, A response to a letter on the front of your last issue, which referred to you as "masquerading as a left-wing version of The Sun". "The Sun" consists of material which the proprietor and his paid agents (editors, sub-editors, columnists, reporters and photographers) choose because they think it will appeal to "their" readers. The only power a reader has is to cease buying the paper. "Red Rag", hopefully, consists of material which its readers have cared enough to write and contribute. Its coordinators, typists, scissor-and-glue artists, printers and distributors cooperate to produce it presumably because they think (as I do) that a local, regular, free paper is worthwhile, not because they are paid (they aren't); nor because they agree with all its contents (they don't). I have just returned to Reading, and find Red Rag's continued, existence an inspiration. I don't look forward to its "return to its stance as an alternative peace loving paper". I hope it grows and matures, to include more and better material, to become (more of) a pleasure to produce, and to be an even more successful demonstration that "free" doesn't just mean there is no price on the cover. Clenched fists and wriggling toes, Cur Mudgeonly. Tudor Boycott? Dear Red Rag, I noticed in a recent issue an article entitled "Boycott the Tudor". Whilst reading it I was surprised to see the word "women" spelt "wimmin". I later realised that this was deliberate. .What I can't understand is if "women" is sexist, as I can only assume two visible lesbians suggest, then why start the article "Boycott the Tudor". After all, boys do grow into men. Perhaps biycott should have been the correct spelling. As an alternative dictionary seems likely in the not too distant future I have included a few sexist words. Simply replace the a's and e's in the following words with an I. Comment, Mentor, Manic, Mental, Omen and Mango. And medically speaking, what does Menstrual Tension now become. Love, Minfred. The Tudor Arms Boycott Continues... Following Visible Gay's (V.G.) letter in the last Red Rag we feel that some clarity is necessary regarding the issues involved in the Tudor Arms Boycott. The issue of the beermats is relevant to all people who care about the oppression of women and offence caused by that kind of advertising. It seems most unhelpful of V.G. to trivialise the views and feelings of those of us who are boycotting the Tudor, on the grounds that we are a minority. Being part of a minority group does not mean that your rights and feelings should not matter, or that you have to capitulate. V.G. appears to be suggesting, that we should be grateful for what we have at the Tudor vis comparisons with the Salisbury - anywhere has to be warmer and friendlier. We feel that an "atmosphere of hospitality" à la Tudor isn't good enough. Gay people shouldn't have to settle for less in a pub than straight people would. How friendly or amicable is it of a landlord to insult his lesbian cliental by suggesting "the truth of the matter is that all of you would really fancy a bird who looked like that" (as in the 'sexy' french chambermaids on the beermats)? How friendly is it to ignore customers who are saying directly and politely that you are offending them? For V.G. to suggest that we complain to the producers of the beermats is like suggesting that when you're served a bad pint you should complain to the brewery instead of the landlord, it is his responsibility. In agreement with V.G. we don't think the term 'homophobic' does apply to the landlord of the Tudor. Heterosexist maybe. Nevertheless, it is saddening to have someone you considered a friend shit on you. What is also sad is that many lesbians and gay men cannot afford to have integrity over boycotting the Tudor because the price of losing their social lives is too great, as the Tudor has, hitherto, been Reading's only Gay pub. We deserve better and some of us are trying to do something to create something better, for us all. Mikki, Carol, Peter, Cindy and others who have given us support but dare not be named. p.s. In response to popular speculation I cannot take credit for the first Boycott the Tudor letter in Red Rag. Mikki. Henley Regatta Dear Red Rag, I had to write over the Henley 'Bash the rich' issue. Violence stinks and it has to be stopped. Whether directed at police or hippies, rich or poor, black or white, it is pathetic and degrading. If the so-called anarchists at Henley want to act like the army, police or Arthur Scargill's bully boys then they should use a newspaper like British Bulldog or the N.F.'s weekly to advertise support - their attitude is just as bad as those fascists. Yours scared of retribution, Anon. Dear Red Rag, Pink-faced and pink-blazered dorks, swilling Pimms and falling over - are these really the enemy frontline forces in a "struggle against our class oppressors" as Lee Ander claims? I cannot conceive even the vaguest notion of the view of society required to see the Hoorays in such a light, but it seems dimpsy enough to be lifted straight from the Ladybird Book of Cliche Politics (1789 Edition). The annual extravagant antics at Henley are indeed very offensive to many, but they are symptoms rather than causes of inequality. Lee Ander seeks to associate the Henley "Bash" with "direct action against a violent state"; s/he even attempts an analogy with the miners' strike. This appears to be merely a clumsy attempt to justify a day out in Henley being loudmouthed, aggressive and obnoxious. Some people clearly feel this is a fun way to spend their time, but for them to masquerade as anarchists furthering a cause is to cast doubt on their own intelligence and to insult that of their readers. I would ask Red Rag editorial meetings to give careful thought to the nature of events prior to giving them publicity. A sharp distinction exists between a straightforward peaceful demo or protest and planned physical aggression. A "Bash" does not sound like a form of non-violent action to me; as such I would prefer the Rag not to carry announcements for similar future happenings. Love and peace and Glastonbury mud. Iggy - - - SMALL ADS Graham: Happy hogwash day. "Grunt futtock to you!" Second person wanted to share house in Wokingham Road from end of July. Prefer cat lover. Age 20 to 30. But not too fussy. Call: 755818 Double mattress in good nick, donation to Red Rag, buyer collects, ring 867955. - - - EVENTS Events from Sunday July 7th Sun 7 Reading Campaign against Benefit Cuts: 6.30, RCU (Reading Centre for the Unemployed). Third meeting, "Almost everyone welcome." Mon 8 RCU trip: shopping in Southall. Sounds far out. Minibus leaves the centre at 11 am. Reading Cycle Campaign business meeting. 8pm at UB Cycles, London St. Miners' struggles 1926-55: videos "A.J.Cook" and "Whose law?" RCU, 8pm. £1:50/50p. Reading Tree Club: tour of Englefield Estate Forestry, 7.30. Details: Catherine Olver 874347. Tue 9 Women's Day, at Bracknell Centre for the Unemployed for a change. Assertiveness, work, health, crafts, rights. Creche. Details: Donna 53421. Borough Council: full meeting. Civic Offices, 6.30. Summer "hot air" special. Friends of the Earth: pub meeting. Pack Saddle, Woodcote Road (Mapledurham), 8pm. For lift, ring 866260. "The Challenge of Today" is faced by Reading Baha'i Faith. AUEW, 121 Oxford Rd. 8pm. Free. "If you do that one more time..!": talk by a health visitor on "how to cope with the trials and tantrums of pre-school children". 5pm at St Andrew's Church Hall, London Rd. 50p. Berks Anti-Nuclear Campaign open meeting. Meg Beresford (new CND Gen Sec) on "Political Realities and Nuclear Disarmament". What problems would a government face if it tried to bring in a non-nuclear defence policy? Wed 10 Women in the Third World: video and discussion at Women's Day at RCU, 11am. Mary Wollstonecraft; history at Bracknell CU, details from 53421. Thu 11 Try the Going Out guide if you must be active. Fri 12 Conservation weekend: removing ragwort from Chilbolton Common, nr Andover. What, a whole weekend pulling up ragwort? Phone Peter Edge on Bracknell 420242 x 2343 or Wok 781041 (eves) to find out more. Planning Committee meeting of the Borough Council. Watch helpless as pompous and ill-informed councillors make vital decisions about your town. 2.30, Civic Offices. Tree club: tour of Albury Park. Details as 8th. Sat 13 Rape Crisis Group Collective meeting. Ring 55577 for details. Women's Work and low pay conference. 10-5, Congress House, Gt Russell St, WC1. £2 indivs, free for unwaged women. Whales demo in Bournmouth. Till 19th. Details from Reading FoE on 863260. "Perspectives on Liberation Ecology" it says here, but I suspect that should be theology. Day conference 10-4.30, St Giles' Hall, Southampton St. £2:50/£1. Details 661660 or 591201. Nuclear Pacifism - a christian imperative? completes the days line up of Christian conferences in Reading today. This time the Reading Evangelical Peacemakers. Alternating workshops and worships. Wycliffe Church on Cemetery Junction from 10.30. Details 666643... Woodcote Veteran Transport Rally from 10am at Wards Farm, Woodcote. £2/kids £1. Sun 14 Red Rag: the six-weekly collective meeting reappears after four weeks. Discussion will include what to do about the summer. 3.45 at 218 Liverpool Rd. Anyone interested very welcome. Reading Anarchists' Picnic: "Rampage up and down the hill!, hide and seek in the woods! custard pie fights! Bring booze, mania and whatever else you want to bring along to the Mansion, Prospect Park at 1 pm." Craft Fair at the Hexagon, 10-4. Gardens open, 2-6: The Old Rectory, Burghfield plus three gardens in Bradfield. Mon 15 "A Village in the Town" : an evening stroll with Young Friends of the Museum round St John's bit. Abbey Gateway, 7.30. Details: Barbara 592381. Tue 16 Women's day at Bracknell CU. Much as 9th. Reading Birth Centre meeting. 12 noon, 20 Bulmershe Rd. Details from Electra on 65648. Women's Day at RCU, East St: video: "Women's Images in the Media" plus discussion. 11.30. Teach-in on the Fowler green papers on reform of social security. 7.30 at RCU. Organised by WEA Industrial Branch. 50p/25p. Ecology: Jonathan Forritt talks on "the global perspective: development and the environment". 8pm, Wokingham Town Hall. £1/50p. Sat 20 Women's self-expression: consolidation. Led by Penny Henrion. 10.30-12.30, Women's Centre, Abbey St. £1/free to unwaged. Details: Penny 662646. Tree Club Sun 21 Stop the Air Fair: protest against militarism. Alconbury US air base is holding an air-fair to show off its military muscle. Conservation: removing ragwort again, this time at Aston Upthorpe, nr Streatley. Details as 12th Oxford FoE invite you to "Alice's Picnic" on Otmoor. Ring Wheatley 2679 for details. Reading Campaign against Benefit Cuts: 6.30 at RCU, East St. Gardens open: 2-6: Plant Science Labs Botanic Barden, Univ (Pepper Lane); Old Rectory Cottage, Tidmarsh. 2.30-6: Coley Nurseries, Wensley Rd. Mon 22 Borough Council Playschemes for summer holidays start today. Details: 55911 x 2069. Wed 24 Women's day. RCU: "Sexuality" video. 11.30. Coming... Cultural Week 1985 at the Apollo Club, from Sat 27th July to Sat 3rd August. Workshops, videos, etc during the day; arts and crafts end lots of food on sale; and a major event at 8 each day. Theme is children and education. Mostly free. This is the ninth year such a week has been held: a real highlight of the Reading year. Full programme in the next issue. Key: RCU stands for Reading Centre for the Unemployed, which is in East Street, and apparently where it's all at these days. Bracknell CU stands for Bracknell Centre for the Unemployed, which, according to my phone book, is in Cooper's Hill, Bagshot Road. Red Rag very very badly wants someone to compile the Events diary. For a long time now it's only been done by whoever can be made to do it at the last minute, me this time. It's not a great deal of work, but it would be a lot better if a bit more attention was put into it. The events person could be, as in the past, a vital link between all the different groups and the Rag... We can tell you what to do and all that. James - - - FREE FESTIVAL? As most readers of Red Rag will know, the Reading Anarchist Group's 20th anniversary celebrations will be continuing later this year with the much talked about free festival. Time has come to get down to some collective decision making to ensure that it happens in a positive and constructive way. Over the past few months of fund-raising (getting on for £700) many people have expressed an interest in becoming involved with the planning and organization. To these people, and others with a similar interest, now is the time to get "in" and sort out the details. There are many decisions to take which include, when & where, duration & policy etc. Even more material items to be arranged as well as co-ordination of on-site activities and performances. A preliminary meeting for these purposes has been planned for Monday 15th July at 7.30pm. The address of the meeting venue will be available in Box 19, Acorn Books, Chatham Street. (584425). Please arrive on time as the agenda could be a long one. See you there... A. Rush P.S. We are still collecting waste paper, so if you have any to donate please ring Pogle on Checkenden (92) 680051, Veronique on 599995. - - - THE RED RAN POSTAL SERVICE / PUBLICATION EXCHANGE ? Why not have Red Rag posted to a friend living outside the Reading distribution area: Wokingham, Pangbourne, Henley or ex-Reading folks who have moved further afield. - All you need to do is send the name and address of the person requiring the Rag - and name of the donor if it's a pressie - plus an amount to cover postage. A pound will give someone the delights of Reading's only for 2 or 3 months. When the subscription runs out, I'll send them a reminder so they can renew it if they wish. - Also if you know of any other community newspaper around, please let us know and we'll be glad to do an exchange - new ideas always useful and welcome. At present we receive the Leeds Other Paper, Exeter's Flying Post and Sheffield's alternative paper. These are available in the Rag box at Acorn. - So next time you write to your granny up north or a friend who has moved further south, ask them if they can sound out local community publications. No postage required for exchanges! Subscriptions, mother publications, cheques, views, etc should be sent to Red Rag (Posties), Box 79, 17 Chatham Street, Reading, Berkshire. - - - RED RAG is Reading's only newspaper that is compiled & produced by collective effort free from financial and political coercion. It has been appearing fortnightly since 1979, currently 1600 copies are printed of each issue. Red Rag relies upon its readers for money and articles, send yours to: Box 79, 17 Chatham Street, Reading. - - - BOOK REVIEW Rosalie Bertell - 'No immediate danger' Prognosis for a radioactive earth. "as the veneer of-democracy starts to fade..." Q: What is the nature of the catastrophe? A: His-story. W: What is the nature of the solution? A: The spectacular role of women. Mark Downham. - - - Battersea Molesworth Huddersfield Leeds Durham Aberdeen Glasgow Ayr Edinburgh Faslane Workington Barrow Warrington Nottingham Reading Greenham Common Petersfield Portsmouth Brambels Farm Exeter Bristol Merthr Tydfil Aberystwyth ... PEACE BY PEACE UK TOUR 85 is supported by, amongst others, Peace Pledge Union, Green CND, Amnesty International, London Anti-Apartheid Croup, United Nations Association, Compassion in World Farming and Oxfam 2000. The tour is designed to show the connections between all groups concerned with the quality of life and wellbeing of the environment. The peace bus will arrive in Reading on the evening of Sat. July 27th and will be at Hills Meadow Reading on Sunday July 28th, all day. There will be videos, standing displays and an opportunity to chat. Everyone welcome! Calling all local groups: come along and publicise your own activities! Videos / Fun / New games / Displays Contact: Reading Peace Pledge Union, Box 10, Acorn Bookshop, Chatham St Reading or phone Reading 483416. - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1985/1985-07-07.txt#3 $