R E D R A G 6-20th April. Since 1979 Reading's only free, alternative, collectively run newspaper. FREE Red Rag is an open forum for ideas and discussions. Please send articles to Red Rag, Box 79, 17 Chatham St, Reading. If possible typed to 12cm width, if not then written in blood on toilet paper. Copy date: Thursday 17th 6.00pm. There were two contributions to this Rag that haven't been printed. One might have been a piss-take of an article in the last issue, only we couldn't be sure. If it had a name and a phone number or address we could have consulted with the writer before writing it off... The other was about solidarity and anarchy, but failed to recognise the existence of more than half the human species, and down-graded the value of another 49%. When this was pointed out to the author he didn't feel the article worth rewriting. Racist and sexist material isn't completely ruled out by collective policy, but any article perpetrating these oppressions would need to have some very special value before an editorial meeting accepted it. Red Rag keeps getting pseudonymous drivel that seems to be deliberately obscure in meaning. Should we want only consume dead trees on printing material that says nothing to the people at the editorial meetings and does not have contactable author. - - - FREE FESTIVAL "Torpedo Town Peace Festival" (formally "Brambles Farm Festival") will be happening once again down near Havant, Hants. The dates are August 8 - 10. Some of us from Reading are helping out. The site is adjacent to a giant Marconi factory which produces nuclear-capable torpedoes with highly sophisticated guidance systems. The local Tory council is once again trying to stop the festival happening despite last year's very peaceful gathering and good relations with local residents. If you support the festival and are in Reading, please sign the petition to the council in Acorn or why not phone the Senior Consultant Planning Engineer at Marconi on O705-264466 and express your feelings! Locally, Marconi Command and Control Systems Ltd can be found at either Lyon Way, Camberley or Chobham Road, Frimley. Perhaps some local peace groups would like to do some leafletting to coincide with the festival. "The Conspiracy" are presenting a special fest. benefit here in Reading on Tuesday April 22nd. 2 popular bands from the Portsmouth / Southampton area are coming up to play, and another from St. Ives in Cambridgeshire. We have "A New Depth"; youthful and exciting! "The Rivers Street Band"; jazzy, lively rhythms and finally, "The Flying Patrol Group" who describe themselves as the "world's first rough terrain band." Should be an interesting evening! So remember, if you're into free festivals and a peaceful world, be at the Paradise Club, London St. on the 22nd starting at 9pm. ps: Many thanks to the Rivers Street Band for stepping into New Jazz Aliens shoes! - - - Reading's First FIDDLE MARATHON A Sponsored Busk to raise funds for Fringe 86 festival of community arts and action - May 3 to June 14 On Saturday April 19 Fiddler Dave - 'The gentleman with the weathered face who jumps up and down and plays the violin from the hip' according to Superintendent Eyles of Thames Valley Police - will attempt to break any known (or unknown) record for long-distance busking in Reading by playing from 10 am until exhaustion or Fiddler's Elbow stops play. This attempt to break some record or other will take place in the forecourt of Saint Marys' Centre, Chain Street (neat Heelas' side entrance) and will be conducted by Guinness Book of Records rules (two independent invigilators, five minutes rest per hour). Various friends, musical and otherwise, have been invited to join in throughout the day to enrich the spectacle. The object of the exercise is to raise funds for Fringe 86 - six weeks of community arts and action events starting on May 3 and running until June 14 in association with Reading Festival and Reading Community Festival. Fringe 86 has received small grants from Reading Festival Society and Reading Borough Council to cover organization, insurance and publicity expenses. In order to raise additional funds - especially for open-air performances in the town centre and neighbourhood communities, Fringe 86 is asking for sponsorship of Fiddler Dave's Fiddle Marathon on the same basis as for a sponsored walk. A good walker can cover a mile in fifteen minutes: every quarter-hour 'mile of fiddling' will raise additional funds for Fringe events. And every pound raised by Dave's sponsored busk will increase the chances of further grant assistance for Fringe 86 events! - - - READ - Why don't you... Get involved in the Rag? Don't take fright! It's not difficult, anyone can do it. Everyone involved at the moment learned as they went along. The people in Red Rag's loose collective at the moment are very varied, and very human, and some of us even make good cups of tea. How The Rag Works The Collective is everyone who helps on the Rag. Long-term decisions about the Rag are made at the Collective meetings held every 6 weeks. Articles are written by Rag readers like you. Been to Greenham lately? Got involved in any groups whose work needs publicising? Have any strong feelings about a certain topic? Why not write about it, now! Don't forget to sign some sort of name and give a contact phone number or address ao we can discuss editing with you if necessary. Rag Production happens once a fortnight. Come to a Red Rag editorial meeting (on alternate Thursdays) and help decide what goes into the Rag. Or help paste up (the fun bit which happens on Saturday) - no skills needed, you'll pick it up as you go along. The other helpful thing you can do is come along to Acorn on Sunday morning and help fold the Rag (dead easy); bring your favourite tape to listen to whilst folding. That doesn't sound so bad, does it? See you soon, I hope! Money You've got it, we need it. Seriously, though, the Rag is presently far too dependent on benefit gigs and paid ads, and we seem to go from cash crisis to cash crisis. Really the best way to support the Rag financially is to simply fill in a standing order form - even £1 per month or per 3 months would constitute some kind of regular income, which would really keep us afloat! It's not a lot of money, and a hundred standing order forms filled out and sent in would really sort us out financially. Come on everybody, I know you can do it. Paid Ads Are always welcome. £7 per 1/4 page, £12 per 1/2 page. Welcome To our new treasurer Mary. Thanks to James for all his work as previous treasurer. Offers Of Help Ring the number on the latest Rag next to 'coordinator' (on the front page) to get involved in the next issue. Articles and standing order forms should be sent to Red Rag, Box 79, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St, Reading. - - - STANDING ORDER MANDATE To (your bank's name and address). Please pay to the account of RED RAG, Co-operative Bank, Reading (08-90-16), a/c no. 50148637, the sum of.........................(words), £........(figs) on.....................(date), and on the same date every month / 3 months until further notice. Signed.......;.......................Date......... Your name......................................... Address............................. ............. Your a/c number................................... Please send this form to Red Rag, c/o Box 79, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street, Reading. Not to your bank. - - - DIRT DIGGING DEPT. We are looking for information on land persons, politicians, cowboy builders and decorators. If you know anybody uses / abuses or misuses their power, skill, assets to get their own way over the people they are supposed to be helping or "serving" then we would love to hear about it. If we can gather info in such a way so as to build up a case against some of the people ripping off other persons namely yourself and myself then maybe we can do something. So instead of moaning about the latest ripoff send us the details in the strictest confidence and anonymity and we can set about stopping or at least bringing peoples attention to the shits who use their power over / under us to further their own petty political and financial gain. Remember: Guaranteed confidentiality, no job too big, all information gratefully received, send it all to Dirt Digging Dept. box no. 2 c/o Acorn Bookshop. P.S. shopkeepers make a habit of selling out of date stock count as well . Grass On A Power Monger Today! - - - (paid ad) JTC Arts & Gifts Pipes! Bongs! Ornaments etc etc In Traders (Unit 20) - - - (paid ad) 5-stART Community Arts Magazine Free Out now! Available at Acorn, Centre for the Unemployed, Women's Centre or tel Allan on 596639 or 666528 for a copy. - - - STONEBOENGE 86 CAMPAIGN From: Polytantric Newsletter No 18 Year Of The Tiger, Spring Equinox Comet Time c/o 99 Torriano Avenue London N.W.5 A proposal for a walk / carnival to Stonehenge was accepted. A working group will provide details of timetable. The walk / carnival starts London June 1st the provisional route is London - Windsor - Burghfield - Aldermaston - Greenham - Watership Down - Roman Rd to Andover - Porton Down - Boscombe Down - Exclusion Zone. Aim to arrive at Exclusion Zone 14 June. Floats & bands planned so it is to be a mobile festival. Sites: Old Sarum as a possible meeting point. The consensus on sites is that it should be the old airfield / which can't be archeologically sensitive by reason of being flattened already. This site is near Larkhill on the other side of the road to the old site a bit further down. It is on NT land and out of the way. Go for it cassette £l.50 Go for it Stonehenge 86 T-shirt £3 (or send a shirt and 50p) cheques & P0s to G. Mood; another tape in preparation with Anarka & Poppy Prisoners of Conscience Slaughter Tradition Danbert Nobacon Michael Scott, Diatribe. Proceeds to the campaign / liverpool / from Digger flat 14 12 Sandringham Drive Liverpool L17 4JW. Badges Free Stonehenge 86 £15 per 100 or 25p each from Brig Oubridge Studio Cottage 42 Main Rd Waashingborough Lincoln LN4 lAU POs & cheques to Rainbow Coop. Three convoy vehicles were smashed up last week by vigilantes in Glastonbury area. Equinox: Over two hundred people turned up on thursday evening to observe the Equinox. English Heritage opened the stones for free after 6pm as arranged but the police took to intimidation at 11 pm. Please note stonehenge is not a pub and that pub hours dont apply. To be practical we need at least 8 clear weeks to organise the festival well if peace prevails, meaning that the authorities should aim to reach any agreements by the next meeting on 14 April. Envisaged is an officially recognised and well organised festival at the old airfield near the stones on national trust land, and the opening of the stones for solstice. The duration of this festival to be 10-15 days before the solstice. We want June 21 to be made a national holiday. The question is not whether a solstice celebration will take place but what form and shape it will take. We are prepared to take responsibility for a well-organised festival and we have the means of getting it on and the expertise required as well as the support of many semi-official and official bodies to put it on. MWewant a permanent site as a long term solution. We are sure that peace will prevail and that the authorities will see the sense of peaceful solutions rather than baton politics. If they fail to respond to sense huge mass actions of a peaceful nature will follow - they have been on the cards since 85. Lets wind up the Campaign this year and re-establish Stonehenge Free Festival. People power not violence. It was done in the Filipines who says it cant happen here. Stonehenge 86 lets all go. Salisbury Public Meeting 21 March City Hall: Jack Ainsley of WOC apparently attended but didnt speak. In general the authorities hid behind press releases and clerks reading out statements about statutory powers. Me are told that in the original vote against the festival, the alliance was split - liberals voting with labour and SDP with Tories. The Open Forum was attended by over 250 people more than half local residents. The Chief Const, didnt turn up / he is looking for a bus somewhere / nor did Jennifer Jenkins. Thus the 35 or so festival reps could put their points and offers across but there was no one empowered to negotiate from the authorities. Lord Cardigan didnt show. Present was Mike Evis of Glastonbury, Dave Brock of Hawkwind / they are planning a benefit / and many local notables. Speakers against the festival included a vicar who talked about the desecration of his church on solstice. We since found this took place sometime in 76 and seemed a vindictive statement at the end of the meeting in view of Tim Sebastian's earlier speech, who said, showing a big black dossier that here was a book of the transgressions from the authorities side and ours and that he wants to throw it away and start afresh. The vicars speech was followed by a quaker lady who said she loves the festival and lets her children run around there after dark which she wouldnt dream of doing in Salisbury - and got a huge applause. Complaints about stolen vehicles - if anything goes missing in Wiltshire in June of course it will be blamed by some on the festival. There is no doubt that some cars were joyridden on site, probably by yobos and in the later part of the Campaign meeting problems like this and solutions were discussed. The English Heritage and National Trust reps stuck to their line about damage and were countered by a well known local resident who spoke about the farmers and the army damaging the tumuli. This was supported by archeological evidence. English Heritage asked in so many words whether there was any official body they could deal with and were later told that indeed there is such a body provided they are witling to recognise it and grant immunity from legal action against its members. They were asked to make the festival official, by recognising its existence for 12 years. It seems that all the conciliatory moves were done by the festival side who talked about shortening the festival to 15 days before solstice, with three days at the stones to accomodate all the pagan groups. A mass was mentioned performed early on at the beginning among the stones and the church was asked by many speakers to recognise the spiritual nature of the stones. A suggestion was made informally that the National Trust apply for a license to Wiltshire County Council and then hand over responsibility to an official body from the festival and that parish councils should get together with festival groups. The National Farmers Union who spoke against the festival were told that their meeting was attended by a festival person who reports that the anti festival motion was put forward by a person who said all hippies should be shot - they denied this in public. The airfield site behind the stones was proposed an alternative site. People said that many are expected because of the backlash of 85 events. The meeting was extensively covered by media / Observer, Guardian, Radio 4, Southern TV & local press / and a tape of it can be accessed via Don of FWS. It is hoped that there will be a follow up and that the efforts of Revd David Penney do not go to waste. Everyone liked the balloon outside, the meeting hall and the exhibition mounted in the foyer. There is no doubt whatsoever, judging from the enthusiastic reception of the audience of each pro-festival speaker that the vast majority of the locals want the festival to go on and that the authorities are entrenched in an untenable position which does not reflect the feeling of the residents. - - - The Class War comes to Reading with... YE FAMOUS GOING OUT GUIDE ... more opportunities to spend cash and rot brains to ... Well, here we go again. Monday 7 April Hex - Across the Veil, 7.45pm, with the Psychic Team, which doesn't include anyone from the Labour Party, or the Tories. Costs £3:50. Paradise - nowt doing. Cap & Gown - live music. Kennet Arms, Pett St - Irish folk, 8ish, free. Thatchers, Woodley - jazz / funk, 8-11, funk. Plastic paradise. Silks, Thatcham - rock night: 932 65592. Albion Hotel, Oxford Rd - Pete James Jazz Band, free. Bull, Nettlebed - folk, 8ish, free. SHP - "Back to the Future" (PG) 7/45 £2:50. Brat goes back 30 year in time, meets his mum & she falls in love with him. Also at 2pm. Tuesday 8 April: Majestic, Caversham Rd - The Redskins (white funk / blues & SWP politics) and the Criminal Damage Posse. £3:50 / £4. Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - live music, 8ish. Studio Bistro, London Rd - folk, 8ish, free. Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd - gay disco, 8pm, free. Mainly men. BJ Moons, Kings Rd - Keith James & his gee-tar, 8, free. More enforced drinking to "live entertainment". Hex - The Travelling Monster Rock'n'Roll show. Well, do you remember all those records you quietly binned? Screaming Lord Sutch MP, Heinz, The Vernon Girls? Well, here they are more besides! And there's an Elvis lookalike! Sigh... SHP jazz - Lennie Best Quartet 8pm £270 - sax & vibes, whatever that is... SHP "Back to the Future" as 7th. Wednesday 9 April: Always a quiet one, Wednesdays, isn't it? Still, why not read a book, talk to someone, wash your socks or write to Red Rag? Out of town we have:- SHP "Back to the Future" (PG) 2 & 7:45pm. As 7th. Thursday 10 April: Hex - The Dubliners 8pm. SHP Cellar Bar - Important Notice (rock), 8-11, £:50 or 75p with UB40. Rose, King St, Maidenhead - folk, 8, free. Dire country at the Cross Keys & The Sportsman. Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - live music, 8, £1. Paradise - "Muff". Glorified disco. Progress Theatre, The Mount, off Christchurch Rd - 6 short plays by Spaniel in the works: "Zoo Story" (Edward Albee), "First Time" (John Bassett), "The Education of Skinny Spew" (mmm!) (Howard Brenton), "Chance" (John Bassett), "Gladiators" (ditto), & Willy Russell's "Politics & Terror". Start at 7.45, £2, £1:50 UB40. Box Office: 424650. SHP "Secret Honour" (15) 7.45pm £2.50. The pressures of Nixon's presidency, monologue style. Directed by Robert Altman, so should be good. Friday 11 April: Veggie Dining at Unemployment Centre, 4-6 East St: 3 course vegan meal with candles, £2 / £2:50 waged. Bring booze. Tickets from Acorn, I hope to be celebrating release from community programme here. Progress Theatre - 6 plays as yesterday, 7.45pm. Paradise - The Deltas & support: psychobilly evening. Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - Vagabond (rock) 8, £1. Dance / mime at Emmer Green Youth & Community Centre, 2pm - 4.30pm - dress / dance from 20s & 30s; 8pm mime evening (mainly for young people). Tel Rdg 476794. Hex - Ryder Carousel. Fatally charming Bill Ryder? No! A charity do for the Sue Ryder home at Nettlebed / Roy Castle et al. £5 / £4, 8pm. Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd - gay disco, 8pm, free. Mainly men. Lamb, Eversley - folk, 8, free. "Not finger in the ear." Afternoon film at the Odeon, Cheapside - reduced entrance with UB40. SHP - Ken Dodd in concert, 6pm, 8pm £4. Aarghh!! SHP recital - Dvorak, Beethoven, Mozart. Schubert & Hindemith, 8pm, £3:50. SHP - "Letter to Brezhnev" (15) 7.45, 10.30pm £2:50. Bit pointless 'cos he's got a bad cold: 2 Kirby women (it says 'ere) pick up 2 Russian sailors who go home next day. Saturday 12 April: RCU - gay & lesbian party: the new venue for Reading Gay Collective's monthly disco, moved from the Horse & Barge. Raffle. Paradise - Kabbala & Timmy John - Afro rock & soul, £3. Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - live music, 8, £1. Majestic, Caversham Rd - Sean French (soul funk), from 12-5, £1. X1 to Wapping leave Broad St 5.45pm, get off at Tower Hill, The ongoing saga of a tyrant & his whims, e.g. offering sacked worker a clapped out printworks to do a "labour movement" newspaper! Hex - Wokingham Choral Society, 7.30, £4. The rich sing for their suppers? Day One of Unemployment for me. SHP - Alan Price 8pm £4:75. SHP - "Letter to Brezhnev" (15) 7.45 / 10.30 £2:50. SHP folk - Huw & Tony Williams, 8pm, £1:80. SHP exhibition - The Art of Adrian Henri (until 18/5). Posters, paintings, LP covers, books, prints, etc. Sunday 14 April: George, Broad St - folk, Packie Byrne & Joe Frazier, 7.30. Readifolk at Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm? - or has it closed now? Butler, Chatham St - jazz / jazz & blues records, either at 8ish & free. Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - live music, 8pm. Hex - Duncan Melville: "Clean Humour for all the Family" £5 /. £4, 6pm & 8.45pm. Missable. Studio Bistro, London Rd - Slik Serenaders, 8ish, free. SHP - "Letter to Brezhnev" (15) 7.45 / 10.30 £2:50. Monday 14 April: Paradise - The Three Johns (high energy, high noise, strong politics) & The Gathering (guitar based new rock) & Lifecan (an experience) - Anti-Apartheid Group & Reading Direct Action Movement benefit, put on with help from the Conspiracy. £3 on door / £2 in advance (Acorn / Listen Records). Hex - Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1. Reading Art Gallery Blagrave St - exhibition of "techniques of sculpture". Mon-Fri, 10-5.30 plus 10-5 Sats, all free. Til 7 June. Same as last week dept: Silks, Kennet Arms, The Albion, Thatchers, Reading Evening Post. SHP - "A Zed and Two Noughts" (15) 7.45pm £2:50. Director Peter Greenaway (did The Draughtsman's Contract). A story of two twins: Alba decides who will father her children, the twins study decaying animals... well wacky. Sounds good. Tuesday 15 April: Paradise - Stonehenge '86 benefit with the Masters of Disaster (ex Lonesome Crows) & Byopic Buldonis (mutant funk / experimental) & Ozric Tentacles (spacey, to say the least). £1:99 on the door, 9-1.30ish. Another Conspiracy evening. The Solstice festival is on by the way, but only if you want it to be. Tudor Arms, gay disco, mainly men, 8pm, free. Studio Bistro, London Rd - live music, 8ish, free. Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - live music, 8pm. BJ Moons as last Tuesday. SHP "A Zed and Two Noughts" again, 7.45pm: see yesterday's entry for details. SHP - jazz - ICQ: Britain's leading jazz / funk band, 8pm, £2:70. SHP - musical - Charlie Girl. 7.30pm. Wednesday 16 April: Queen to open the new Regatta HQ at Henley. Reading's a dead loss for going out today... unless you know different (& if you do, why not put it in the Rag?) SHP - "A Zed and Two Noughts" (15) as 14th. Final night. SHP - Charlie Girl, a 60s British musical: 7.30pm, £2 - £4. "Full of life & fun." Hmm... Thursday 17 April: Red Rag copy deadline 6pm Acorn, Box 79. Plus an open editorial at 8.15ish - phone number on cover. SHP Cellar Bar - Psycho Faction (psychobilly) 8-11 £1:0 / 75p. The usual at: Paradise, Cross Keys, Sportsman. The Rose, King St, Maidenhead - folk, 8pm. SHP Charlie Girl as yesterday. SHP video screening - free at 7.45pm - recent tapes by the SHP Bracknell video workshop. Friday 18 April: Paradise - Martin Rushment's new band. Tudor Arms, gay disco, 8pm, free, mainly men. The Lamb, Eversley - folk, 8ish. "Not finger in the ear." Cap & Gown, Kings Rd - live music, 8pm, £1. Don't know what though. Saturday 19 April: Paradise - Hot Tempa (ex Hot Steel & disco. Red Rag pasteup - phone co-ordinator for details. Red Rag printing. X1 to Wapping, 5.45 from Broad St. Majestic, Caversham Rd - Sean French (soul / funk) from noon - 4pm, £1. Pangbourne College - piano (Schubert, Chopin, etc) & soprano (Fuare, Mozart, Brahms, Walton). 7.30 tickets from Hickies. Hex - Marti Webb. Oh. St Giles Church, Southampton St - Reading Bach Choir. Tel. 478097. SHP - cinema & musical as yesterday. SHP folk - Aberjaber, 8pm, £1:80. Trad Welsh folk. Sunday 20 April: George, Broad St - folk, 7.30: Richard Cox-Smith. Same as last week dept - Readifolk, The Butler, Studio Bistro, News of the World. Caversham Park Village Social Club, Northbrook Rd, Jazz Faculty (jazz!) 8.30 - 10.45, 50p, freeish. Open day at Univ Plant Science Gardens, 2pm - 6pm (off Pepper Lane). Exhibition of "Third World" crops / food & of Oxfam, VSO, Action Aid, British Council work etc. Teas, home made cakes, stalls & games!! Hex - Crackerjack! SHP - Scottish Chamber Orchestra sponsored by a capitalist housebuilder. 7.30pm. SHP - "Mishima". 7.45pm. SHP poetry reading - Ken Smith, writer in residence at Wormwood Scrubs. Free. Coming soon: 22.4.86 - Paradise Club: Rivers St. Band (jazz) & Flying Patrol Group (rough terrain band) & A New Depth (poppy) - Brambles Farm Peace Festival benefit with 3 south coast bands. £2, from Acorn. A Conspiracy do. 26.4.86 - RCU - Mayday Benefit with the excellent Beat & The Devil (funk) & L'Affaire Discret & Naptali's One Love disco. £2 or £1:50 UB40. Tickets from Acorn. May & Mayday. Key: Paradise - Paradise Club, 112 London St, Reading: Rdg 576847 Hex - Hexagon Theatre, Queens Walk: tel 591591 RCU - Reading Centre for Unemployed, East St: tel 596639 SHP - South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell: tel Bracknell 484123 Angies, Milton Rd, Wokingham have live music Thurs -> Sun nights: tel 794256. Info / scandal / bribes / takeover bids to me on 868488 please! Take care, Mark xxx - - - (paid ad) The Conspiracy Presents 930 130 Monday £2 advance 14 April £3 on door THE THREE JOHNS & The Gathering Lifecan benefit for reading direct action movement & anti apartheid group Paradise Club london st, reading - - - HOW THE UNEMPLOYED CAN GO ON STRIKE 1) This is a manifesto to explain how the unemployed can go on strike. The aim is to reverse the balance of power to place it in the hands of the unemployed and force the government to pay us a realistic wage for being unemployed and to stamp out the oppression it is content to level at us at the moment. 2) An important condition of receiving unemployment benefit is that you enter into a contract whereby you must be "available for work". But this is a government bluff to create the illusion that the unemployed are still in the running for work and also as a measure whereby the government can instill fear of withdrawal of the unemployed person's lifeline However, as there is no work for us, it is of course meaningless, as is the so-called "right to work". 3) The unemployed person may go on strike by withholding this "availability for work". To have any impact this symbolic gesture must be carried out en masse. This clause is a very real hold the unemployed have over the government because once 4 1/2 million unemployed people have withdraw their "availability for work" the government would then be faced with the choice as to whether it was going to continue paying us or not, seeing as we would be in breach of contract. It would be very difficult for them to give us all the sack. 4) In effect, the government would have no choice but to continue paying the unemployed and so this single act of defiance is then transformed into a concrete power held in the hands of the unemployed. No longer will we fear the government and its oppression. The unemployed will become aware of their own strength. From here it will be a short route to a realistic dole payment. 5) The power of this idea is its own strength. Nothing can prevent such an idea spreading like a spark through tinderwood. So if you want to support this idea and give it form then do all you can to spread it. Then, in time, it will come about. Tell you friends, xerox this page and distribute it, send it to sympathetic newspapers and politicians. Smectymnuus - - - Reading Nicaragua FSLN Solidarity Group April 1986 PRESS RELEASE At an inaugural meeting just before Easter, the Reading Nicaragua Solidarity Group was established - bringing together supporters of the Sandinista revolution from political groups in the town, local trade unions, and students at the University and at Bulmershe College. The aims of the Group were laid down as follows: (1) to help defend the achievements of the Nicaraguan revolution; (2) to provide material support to the government and people of Nicaragua; (3) to promote twinning and other links between Reading and Nicaragua; (4) to contribute to a greater understanding and awareness of the present situation in Central America; (5) to liaise with other groups and organisations sympathetic to the struggle of the Nicaraguan people and similar struggles throughout the Third World. The Group will play a prominent part in the celebration of Reading May Day 1986 (on May 3rd). May Day this year is to have a Central American theme - and this will be reflected in the music, in the food, and in the political message. Nicaragua's great problem at the moment is the aggressive policy of the Reagan regime. The "Contras" supported by Mr Reagan are murderous, brutal bandits, who have no support anywhere in Nicaragua and who would fade out of existence within weeks if the money stopped coming to them from the USA. Here are some further simple facts about Nicaragua which the Reading Group will continue to publicise: - Nicaragua is a tiny country with a population of only three million people - hardly a threat to the USA! - The Americans have mined Nicaragua's ports and bombed Managua airport, but for all their attempts at "destabilisation" the Sandinista government has the overwhelming support of the Nicaraguan people. Observers from Britain and elsewhere declared the 1984 Nicaraguan elections to be free and fair: the Sandinistas obtained 67% of the vote. - Since coming to power in 1979, the Sandinistas have put great emphasis on teaching people to read and write. The Nicaraguan Literacy Crusade won the United Nations Literacy Award and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. - The Sandinistas have improved many aspects of Nicaraguan life since 1979, from wage-levels and trade union rights to education and health care. In 1983 the World Health Organisation named the Nicaraguan health service as a model for all Latin America to follow. - Membership of the Reading Nicargua Solidarity Group will be £2 waged / £l unwaged per year (trade union affiliation £5). Further details from: David Sutton (664976 evenings) or David Bales (860594 evenings) - - - "WE BLAME THE MEDIA..." Calling all anarchists / subversives / disgruntled elements etc... A secret anarchist picnic / demo against the media somewhere in London is being organised for royal wedding day (July 23rd), listen in to grapevine for details. ("Airstrip One Liberation Army") - - - (paid ad) GAY / LESBIAN SELF DEFENCE Starting 24th April, Thursdays 8-10pm for 8 weeks. 50p per session. For further details contact: University Welfare Office, 860222 ext 205 in office hours or Helpline on 597269 Tues & Fris 8-10pm - - - STOP PRESS: Tuesday 15th April: Stonehenge Benefit, Paradise Club, Reading. Ozric Tentacles etc. £1:99. - - - STONEHENGE 86 CAMPAIGN APPEAL suspension of orders on 7th May - after that date we will not be able to do any more mail order or answer letters so support us by your order or donation now. Cheques or PO's to Polytantric. Please do not mail cash. Please reproduce this appeal. Free Stonehenge badge with over £5 order or donation. T-shirt 'Hawk & Stones' Yellow Red White Beige; Medium, Large, Xtra large £4:50 small £3 No..... Size Colour £££ enclosed.... Stickers /mixed/ £4 per 1000 No.... £££ enc..... Stonehenge Education Program from Magical Earth Dragon Society £l.50 No.... £££ enc..... Negatism - how language enslaves £l:50 No.... £££ enc..... Stonehenge Posters from Polytantric 84 & 85 £l:50 No..... Year... £ enc.... Press Releases 85 from Polytantric £l:50 No.... £££.... Participate In The Campaign I enclose SAE for info I can distribute or reprint stuff I can organise gigs - or play benefits I wish to be a local representative I enclose a donation of ........ I enclose £5 membership Name Address Date Total enclosed please allow 28 days delivery - - - EVENTS Monday 7th April Reading Branch Meeting of International Peace Year (UNA) 7.30pm, Caversham Heights Methodist Church, Highmoor Rd Reading Anti-Apartheid Campaign Meeting, 8pm, Paradise Club, London Street. Univ Gay & Lesbian Social / youth group 8.30pm, upstairs in Students' Union Tuesday 8th April Storytime for under-fives 2.30pm, Palmer Park Library Womens Dance Group 10.15 - 11.45, Central Club Reading Campaign Against Benefit Cuts: "Caversham Against Fowler". 7.30pm, Church House, Caversham Greenham Support Group. 8pm, Womens Centre, Abbey St. Berks Anti-Nuclear Campaign public meeting. 8pm, Friends Meeting House (in alley off London street). Wednesday 9th April RCU Womens Day, East Street: Video screenings, 1.30 - 3.30pm Fabric & yarn crafts, 10-3 Thursday 10th April RCU activities: Black & white photography Creative Writing Workshop Wildlife Garden Project (all 1 -3pm) Pre & post natal & relaxation classes 1 -2.30pm Abbey room, central library. Kings Road. £2:50 per class (reduction for unwaged). Creche available if booked in advance - 584191 or 61330 Friday 11th April RCU: Colour photography, 2-4pm PPU / Reading Pacifists meeting about action. 7.30pm, 44 Gosbrook Rd Caversham. Saturday 12th April Woodley Peace Group Jumble Sale, 10-4 Woodley Shopping Precinct. 661162. Reading Anti-Apartheid Campaign picket Tesco's Stu & Avril hitch up. Congrats and many happies from your pals in Reading. (Wot? - typist) Stonehenge Benefit Party. St Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, Visions & Aurora Sound & Light Show. £1. 7-11pm and party afterwards. Monday 14th April Binfield Dog Rescue - dog walkers needed 11-3pm. Phone Bracknell 421490 for details. Reading Anti-Apartheid Campaign Benefit. Paradise Club Campaign for the right of assembly & dissent (CROWD). Organising a lobby of Parliament. 5pm, London. Contact CROWD, 38 Mount Pleasant, London WC2. Univ Gay & Lesbian group as last Monday. Tuesday 15th April Womens Dance Group, Central Club, 10.15-11.45am RCU: East St Arts Exchange l-3pm (Wot is this, I wonder?) RCU: Key English, 10-2 West Berkshire Health Watch meeting - all welcome but you'll have to ring for time: 594477: In the boardroom, Battle Hospital! Reading Birth Centre lunch. 1202.30. Bring food to share and meet people and talk over a very informal lunch. Ring 584191 for venue Storytime for under-fives. 2.30pm, Palmer Park Library. Greenham Support Group, Womens Centre, Abbey St, 8pm. Wednesday 16th April. RCU Womens Day as last week Reading Anti-Apartheid campaign film show. St Marys Chain Street. National Trust: Birds & Fish from all over the world at Farham Bird & Underwater World. Leave 10am, return 5pm. Mrs T.Hill for details - 692275 Thursday 17th April RCU as last week Pre and Post-Natal Yoga classes as last week Red Rag Editorial meeting. Come along and see how we sift our brains into a collective decision on what not to omiy. Phone next issue's coordinator for venue. Friday 18th April RCU Colour photography as last week Reading Anti-Apartheid campaign public meeting: Andy Lavender of NUPE on Trade Union Action Against Apartheid. 8pm, AUEW Hall, Oxford Road. Saturday 19th April Reading Anti-Apartheid campaign picket Barclays. Red Rag - pasting the next issue ready for printing. Help. Stonehenge '86 Benefit: Webcore, Ozric Tentacles, Treatment, Magic Mushroom Band, Zodiac Mindwarp, the Love Reaction. At the Clarendon upstairs, Hammersmith. Sunday 20th April Red Rag folding and collating and distribution 11am onwards International Peace Year: Open Day in aid of Third World charities at the Plant Sciences Botanical Gardens, Univ (Pepper Lane entrance) Monday 21st April Reading National Trust lecture: "Animal-powered machines" with slides and Mr Ken Major. 7.30pm, Palmer Building, Univ. Reading Acupuncturists: Talk & Open Evening. 7pm, Abbey room Central Library. Tea & Coffee afterwards, all welcome. This Events Diary appears to be filling up a little after a long cold winter? But there is plenty of room for more - let us know of anything you would like listed. - - - ANON-ANON. . . There is an expression in use..." I wished the earth would open up and swallow me". Is there anybody out there who doesn't have a personal understanding of what it means? Skipping over the Freudian implications, let us rephrase it as " All of a sudden there was me, apparently in full view of everybody, and not feeling happy about it". An overdose of that sort of experience is likely to drive you to drink, give you a very jaundiced view of humans en masse, and you could wind up writing anonymous articles for Red Rag. So be it! I reckon it's ok to appear daft in print. I also reckon that there is do such thing as pure objectivity. Any claims to the contrary can usefully be filed under 'Myth'. All human activity is interwoven with a constant flow of feelings, and the feelings become apparent to others via Actions. N.B. 'not doing anything' can usefully be filed under 'action'. As can 'Thinking'. Nick (I'm not a discordian) has issued an invitation to Zed Feecher and Paul Petard. "Convince me". They can't. They can offer up sequences of words (=action) but the final stage in the chain of cause and effect must come from Nick. What Paul or Zed can do is to attempt via their actions to evoke within Nick the feeling "This is a true description of the Real World", this will lead Nick to adopt such descriptions into his mental model of the world, and thus into his actions. In closing I would recommend that those of you with functioning eyes should stare for about half a minute at a 100W incandescent light bulb (frosted surface) from a distance of 3-4 feet. Then read this. In order to avoid me putting colours into your eyes please do not read this before staring at the light. About a year ago a TV religious program repotted that a large crowd of people had 'seen the sun turned blue', the TV crew showed us a picture of the sun. Guess what. It wasn't blue! Look forward to reading some of your actions. Most of you will now be aware of the existence of, if not the contents of the publication 'Today' most of its 'news' happened yesterday or before, to other people. Its feature articles were written who knows how long back. Almost all the TV programs advertised were recorded some indeterminate time in the past. And in fact the only relation it seems to have to me today is that I can buy it today and read it today. Can these statements be usefully filed under the Situationist term "Recuperation"? A.Non - - - RED RAG POSTIES Why not have Reading's only newspaper delivered by post? If you (or a friend) live outside the grass roots network community distribution area (write to Pogle on Distribution about this) but want to read Red Rag then:- 1) Write to Veronique at Box 79, 17 Chatham St., Reading, sending name and address and P.O. or cheque for postage. A pound will last for three months. Donations to cover printing also very welcome... - - - (paid ad) The Conspiracy Presents A "South Coast Special" BREAD NOT BOMBS River Street Band A New Depth The Flying Patrol Group Appearing at The Paradise Club, London Street, Reading Tues. April 22nd 9 'til late £2 tickets from Acorn, Chatham St, Reading - or on door. A Free Festival Benefit For Torpedo Town Peace Festival, Waterlooville, Hants. Aug 8-10. Stop Spearfish Stop stingray Stop tigerfish - - - SMALL ADS (FREE) Person wanted: (pref female) to share house with 3 cheerful unemployed people. Nice house, big garden. Expensive rent. Phone 665332. Wanted... a house for 4/5 people, in Reading somewhere. Must be in reasonable Nick. We'd prefer a whole house. If you know of one, please phone us on Reading 868488...... Tandem for sale or part exchange with single bike. Phone Paul 667085... Wanted: Articles for free, alternative, collectively run community newspaper. Send to Box 79 c/o Acorn... - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1986/1986-04-06.txt#3 $