RED RAG fortnightly 20p red rag, box 79, 17,Chatham st. co-ordinatodr, ring 666354 for details copy deadline sat 1 nov 6pm advertising, ring simon 666354 26 oct 8 nov - - - MOLESWORTH RAPES There have been peace camps at Molesworth for about 4 years. Numbers at the camps have varied enormously in that time and so have the locations of the camps. Until this February, when the People's Peace Camp was evicted, there were two camps, the People's Peace Camp on the West side of the base, and Peace Lane on the East. The People's Peace Camp has always attracted and had strong links with people from the Stonehenge convoy groups. It has always had many more men than women, as have all the Molesworth encampments. Molesworth has always been an open community - a state of affairs which has sometimes caused problems when potentially violent and hard to deal with men have turned up and sometimes stayed. Despite some violent incidents, only one man was ever asked to leave the camp before the first rape took place last Autumn. That rape happened in Peace Lane, to a woman who had been there for some time. Neither of the two men involved had been at the camp for long, although one of them was known to the campers. Peace Corner had, from April 85 until then, been a successful camp with fairly strong commitments to living peacefully and working together. The raped woman was badly shocked and didn't tell anybody for three days. When women friends of hers learned about it they called a meeting for the camp's men to talk about it. They were met mostly with shocked silence. Lengthy discussion of the rape produced a lot of opinions about how the woman should forgive the rapist. One man told them what he thought the reactions of a raped woman are; another threw things about. Another man suggested asking the rapists to leave the camp - he later raped a woman himself. The raped woman rejected that suggestion at the time. She was too shocked and didn't want to be responsible for bringing the camp's reputation into disrepute. The rapists were not there at that point anyway. The woman went away with friends for a few days. The rapists were in the meantime confronted separately (one denied it; the other said it was true if she said it was true - they later swapped accounts) and eventually they went to stay nearby. They have not returned and their exact whereabouts now are not known. For a while nothing much changed - the woman felt that the disruption was all her fault and it seemed that the other campers thought so too. Eventually she and other women started initiating talks about sexism and male violence in mixed groups, and encouraging men's meeting. They felt that their efforts were largely unsuccessful: the men were unresponsive and would take no initiative initiatives of their own. Rape Crisis leaflets the women distributed were drawn on and torn down. The women felt that the men were completely unwilling or even able to take the issue up for themselves, and to try to make changes that would help to guarantee women's safety at Molesworth. The women established a women's space in a van that a man who had left the camp gave to them. Bad feeling in the camp increased, with men ridiculing the women trying to make the changes and saying that they felt the "feminists" were destroying the camp. They felt that the raped woman in particular was being oppressive and bossy, while she felt that big decisions, like asking people to leave, were being left to her, and that nobody was supporting her. During xmas 85 a woman was assaulted by a man at the camp. Talk amongst the campers generated lots of anger, most of which ended up being directed at her for her weakness. By the beginning of this year the raped woman was feeling she had got nowhere and was dispirited enough for her to leave the camp. Another woman went with her, leaving three women there permanently. The rest of the camp had ceased taking notice of the rape; visitors were no longer being told of it; the camp was degenerating physically. Relationships between the remaining campers, sexual or otherwise, began to supersede everything else in importance. In February the two women went back and arranged, with other Molesworth women, to set up a women's camp at Alconbury. The women felt they were united in theory but not in reality. The Alconbury attempt fell apart very quickly, with the women arrested immediately and no other women coming to support them. It was felt that, as an episode, it illustrated the divisions in the camp between those trying to work against male violence and those interested in preserving the camp as it was. One woman involved has said that "a certain rhetoric" had evolved at the camp "which was acceptable, it had the words 'caring' and 'putting energy into' as part of it", but that in practice it meant little. Then in May a Molesworth woman staying in London with an ex-camper was raped by him. He said afterwards that it had been to "teach her a lesson". He also said that he hated Molesworth. "I hate everything it stands for - and you remind me of it". Two other men who walked in at one point told her afterwards (that they thought "she must have said something" to make him do it. She went back to the camp and told them what had happened. She got very little support - she eventually wrote a letter to try to make them understand about rape and to try to prevent it from happening again. She was sure it would. She sent handouts about the effects of rape on women to the camp which were later found dumped in the women's space. A letter she sent to a woman friend, begging her to come and see her and to talk to her, met with no response at all. The story travelled no farther for the next two weeks. By then she had left the camp. She expected the campers to visit her and support her but only one man did. It seems that the campers did not tell anyone, not even other campers who were absent, that another rape had happened. And then in July there was another rape. The woman, in shock, didn't know what to do, told nobody and just tried to avoid the rapist which wasn't easy because he was following her around. After five days she told the camp what had happened. She says it was only then that she realised it had been rape. Two men went to talk to the rapist and to ask him to leave. He immediately became very aggressive, demanding to know where she was. When he found out which caravan she was in, he stood outside it, shaking and thumping it and shouting at her. A woman who was in the caravan with her said that she found his reaction understandable, really. The raped woman was shortly afterwards arrested and held in custody for two days. When she came out she went back to Molesworth. She stayed, talking to the other campers and trying to get their support. Instead they were soon referring to it as a "misunderstanding". Campers excused the event by suggesting that she had "said no when she really meant yes" and that she really liked the man anyway. At the end of the two weeks she was having to justify, to herself and to them, why she had ever told them. She left determined to tell no one else - the camp had silenced her. Fortunately the friends she went to listened to her and supported her. By this time the raped women and their friends were feeling that something must be done urgently. Attempts to tell and involve the camp, particularly the men, had repeated lost impact and degenerated. No undertakings to work on this problem, or to tell visitors, or to understand the effect of male violence on women, had ever been seen through. They had not been able to get the support of the rest of the peace movement, because of the camp's reluctance to tell people or even take it seriously. They had at various times kept the news contained so as not to make a fuss, and not to hurt the peace movement's reputation. The Molesworth camp and the wider movement was in effect being able to carry on unshaken, while three women continued to suffer for having been raped. So about two weeks after the third rape, a group of women including two of those raped, went to Molesworth to ask the men to leave the camp, to help guarantee the safety of women there - they felt there was no alternative. They found three women visitors at Peace Corner, who had not been told by campers about the rapes. There seemed at first to be nobody else there, but the two raped women eventually found a woman in a bender further up Peace Lane. They argued very angrily and ended up shouting at each other. The woman would not come out of her bender to talk. Other women were talking to other campers they met; two men agreed, after talking, to leave. Two men on rota in the Quaker caravan refused to come out and talk about the rapes, saying that they wouldn't rape anybody themselves, so it didn't involve them. When a woman started to saw down the Eirene Peace Chapel sign they immediately came out, saying that she couldn't damage something so many people had paid for. Women were angered that the men were prepared to make a fuss about that, while not being prepared even to talk about the rapes, and they said so. A woman went on to destroy the camp's postbox (letters to the rapists had been found, at the camp - one of then was apparently expected back), and to puncture water cans. Women painted RAPE on signs around the camp, and then all the women took down the bender where the last rape had taken place, making sure that nothing could be used again. Two women spent some time talking to the woman who had been in her bender earlier. Despite the fact that the three women visitors had said they were staying, she said that she felt she was being left on her own by the men's departure. As the entire issue was about women's vulnerability the women felt that it was now her choice to go if she felt unsafe, or to stay if she didn't. Her decision was still unresolved when the women left. The women put together a statement which they sent out to involved peace groups and women's groups. It declared their intention to make Molesworth a women's camp in order to make it safe for women, every other way they had tried having been unsuccessful. They thought at the time that there would be sufficient energy from Greenham and other women to support a Women's Camp at Molesworth - they later found out that there wasn't. A meeting at Greenham, to talk about the rapes, and what to do next, was called. In the event, because of some misunderstandings, two meetings happened on the same day. In the first, there was a feeling that women wanted to do something, and that they were prepared to go along with what the raped women wanted. The second meeting was going the same way when the two women remaining at Molesworth arrived. Disagreements between them and the raped women meant that the raped women left the meeting fairly soon afterwards. The raped women felt that the others were effectively protecting men by their attitude. Accounts of the meeting thereafter differ enormously. Some women say that the meeting then became an audience for the Molesworth women to divert attention away from the rapes and onto their difficulties in dealing with the men - but these women have said that they were "to a large extent ignored". In the end, the only decision was that women would go to Molesworth again. This decision came mostly from Orange and Yellow Gate women who'd wanted to go there and talk anyway. Twelve or thirteen women, including the three who had been raped, went to Molesworth the next day. When they arrived there were quite a lot of people there who had come for a meeting about the camp. Greenham women talked to people, trying to arrange things so that everybody could have their say. Some women felt that all of this, from the viability of mixed camps to the question of people's rights to tell other people to do things, had been discussed at length before, and had never yet produced results, so they left the discussion. Talk became more and more highly charged, but less and less constructive. One woman read out the letter she had written to the camp after her rapes, asking that the campers help to try to prevent more rapes. It produced no response. One of the raped women and her sister began to take down benders, and others began to spray paint. They wanted to make the camp unviable; it is not safe for women, men have left when asked and later returned, women felt that the remaining women are not committed to tackling the issue of the rapes, and male violence in general. The raped woman was told she was a Greenham woman acting like a bailiff. In the end, three benders were dismantled, one of them at the resident's request. More letters to the rapists were found. A Molesworth woman said afterwards that she couldn't have done it herself, but that she was glad the women had taken this action; she was asked to repeat it in front of other Molesworth campers, which she reluctantly did. The women left, leaving behind one woman who wanted to stay and continue talking. A few days later, the man who had been at Peace Corner for 4 years, came back to dismantle his caravan in support of the raped women. He said he wanted the cross at Peace Corner to be taken down because it gave a false impression of the camp. Three campers accordingly took it down. Men must learn to confront their sexism and to share their fears and feelings with other men, instead of backing out, covering up or feeling guilty and not doing anything about it. Get involved in direct action now. Start consciousness raising groups. Men must start confronting other men on their sexist attitudes. For more recent information contact: Box MW 3 Fletchers Terrace Cambridge Tel-Cambridge 213758(1-5 pm) Offers of support: raise money, help with publicity, letters of support, donations of any kind, forming a Molesworth Support Group - Keep this campaign going. This article appeared in Southern Resister. The present situation is this: There are no peace women at Molesworth, only a group of men (some of whom are the rapists), and their "girlfriends". They are planning their own campaign to deny any knowledge of the rapes and to blame the peace women for their accusations. Men of Molesworth, you are being exposed for what you are (with very few exceptions). All the women you have raped, abused, hit, threatened, made subject of sexist degradation at Molesworth are angry. The people who support Molesworth Peace Camp have a right to know how their money has been abused to protect male violence. - - - GREENHAM FOOD VAN The Ascot Meals on Wheels service, which provides a hot evening meal for every woman at Greenham every day throughout the winter, will soon be in action for the third year running. Ascot provides a van fitted out far the transport and heating of the food. Groups within 40 miles of Greenham join a rota and 'borrow' the van for one or two (consecutive) nights. The food is cooked by the group and taken to Greenham by 2 people (driver and helper), starting at 5pm, completing the whole camp within 1 1/2 - 2 hours. The van is then passed on to the next group on the rota. If enough groups join the rata, each group's commitment repeats every 6-8 weeks. The van also provides and exchanges dry blankets for wet; first aid; loo paper; personal toiletries, etc etc, anything that helps, in fact. If you would like to contribute to this much needed and much appreciated service there are a number of ways in which you can help. Ideally, women should go to Greenham and stay for a while, or do a night-watch now and then. But failing this, meals-on-wheels is the kind of practical support many people like to give. Cooking is obviously the main task and here you take an only what you can cope with. This might be cooking a batch of rice or baked potatoes, or a vege pie/quiche or some flapjacks or perhaps a yummie chocolate cake. But it must be vegan and you must check with the co-ordinator first to find out exactly what is needed and where to take it to etc etc. There's always a demand for drivers and reserve drivers, though you must be over 25 and have a blemmish-free licence to comply with the insurance regulations. There is a good network of volunteers covering the Reading area but it's rather patchy, with Caversham and West Reading being thinner than most. Anyone in these areas who would like to fill the gaps, should contact any of the co-ordinators for more information or whatever. Heedless to say, this all costs money. Some people are able to pay for things out of their own pockets as it were, but others need to be reimbursed, particularly for the petrol. There is a central fund to which groups around the country contribute. BANC (Berks Anti-Nukes / Reading CND) say they can meet some expenses but they don't have an arrangement with a shop as in previous years. Please direct your claims and questions on this aspect to me (Debbie) and I'll see what can be done. If you would prefer to just make a donation that would be OK too. Finally, the van will be in these places on these dates and these are the co-ordinators for this time around: Nov 3: S.Reading: Mike and Tracey: 862050 Nov 4: East Reading: Lynne & Wendy: 65955 Nov 5: Pangbourne: Jane: Pangbourne 4174 Reading Area Co-Ordinator: Debbie, 690924 - - - WICCA Women in Creative / Cultural Activity - this group was formed at the "Another Standard" conference in Sheffield in July. They are looking at how women are treated within community arts. Contact Katherine at "Them Wifies", 109 Pilgrim St, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6QF (091 261 4090). - - - START START - Free Community Arts Magazine: official voice of Reading's Community Arts Forum, now funded via Community Grants Panel. Supposed to appear quarterly but behind schedule this year. Full of useful information, reports on events and news. Could do with more creative writing, cartoons, drawings etc. Contributions / ideas welcome. Published by Twentieth Century Arts, Box 20, 17 Chatham St, Reading. - - - COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRES Thamesdown Community Arts c/o Jolliffe Studios at the Wyvern Theatre Theatre Square Swindon Tel - 0793 35534 The Hornpipe 143 Kingston Rd Portsmouth Tel - Portsmouth 828392 Bloomin' Arts East Oxford Community Centre Princess St Oxford Tel - 0865 245735 South Hill Park Bracknell - - - LIVE MUSIC If you are in a band and have gigs coming up, or if you are a promoter who wants free publicity, then send details of your event to the Going Out Gig Guide, Red Rag Box 79, 17 Chatham Street, Reading, to meet the copy deadlines which apply to the rest of the Rag. This listing does not even pretend to be comprehensive... the Rag needs someone to do a folk music listing... And for up to date info on soul and reggae in the Thames Valley area, then check out our "Original Rockers" section. Wed 22 Oct: * Paradise - Blyth Power (ex Zounds and The Mob ,well crafted anarcho power chord band) and Thatcher On Acid(...) 9-12.30am with late bar. £2adv. from Acorn/Listen or with UB40/£2:50. A Conspiracy evening to raise money for free radio. * Majestic - Reading's most capitalist venue presents The Complaints (the Evening Post recently called them psychedelic bop), Rubber Rubber Vortex and Lyxx. * Cap & Gown - r'n'b. Tamla, rare soul disco presented by Mark Nelson and Mark Bicknell + guests. £1:50, 2am bar Thurs 23 Oct: * SHP - Daz Odeum were booked-phone Bracknell 422395 to check. 8-llpm 75p/£1:50 * Cap & Gown - Rardogs (dunno) 2am bar and only £1:50. Fri 24 Oct: * Paradise - the Jive Dive - fun films and 60's soul and hip hop music from regular DJ The Cuban Heel. 8-2am £2. * Basingstoke Caribbean Assoc - Priestly Rd... The Plot thickens and presents Military Surplus (white roots reggae and spacey dub poetry from Hungerford) and Namoza (very dynamic rock / funk, moving on from their Talking Heads influences - played a brilliant set at the University on 11 Oct to a disgustingly mindless bunch of student jerks...) 8pm-lam, £2:50. * Cap & Gown - Beat Back Band - big, brassy soul/r'n'b'band. 8-2am. £1:50 * Palmer Theatre, university - violin and piano recital - Kreisler, Walton, Schubert, 7.30pm, £2/1. * And for all you ol1 Middle Earthers out there, there's the Crypt (Deptford High St) where the paisley flows freely and like, y'know, it's all reeealllly too much, with Webcore and Dreamclinic a mere £3 * Teach yourself psychobilly lesson three. Translate: I say, my good friend, the situation does appear to be deteriorating somewhat. Sat 25 Oct: * 0ne of Sawdy's rock nights at Woodley Community Centre, check posters for details. * Otherwise a quiet night... ideal for study, eg revision for your psychobilly oral exam. Answer to last translation: "Stroll back my man, that's a bit cat innit?" Sun 26 Oct: * Butler, Chatham St - jive, blues, jump music and more (records only though). * Cap & Gown - The Pressgang Club, organised by local folkrock group Pressgang. Check folk listing for details. * Radio 210 - Off the Wall with Jonothan Richards... local bands, gig info, demo tapes from 7pm-8pm. Mon 27 Oct: * Paradise Lost Weekend (songs of drinking and death, country blues style) plus Kiss the Idol (a new Reading band) and Just A Rumour(????!) £1:50, music til 12.30. Tues 28 Oct: * Cap & Gown - Jay(dunno). 8-2am £1:50 * Majestic - Jim Jiminny, Blues Cruise (yep that's blues) and Butch Minds The Baby(??) * University - Skint Video - 2 blokes who do songs and sketches which take the piss-out of a wide range of targets. Health Warning to right-on people, some of these jokes are too near to reality for your own karma. Recommended, but go to the Union one lunchtime to get a ticket. * Sloppy Joes, Station Hill - gay disco 9-2am, £1:50 with Helpline card. Weds 29 Oct: * Paradise - Marc Riley and the Creepers, plus The Heartthrobs. Marc Riley used to be with the Fall and the Creepers music is equally exciting and The Heartthrobs want to fuse pop with noise etc... sounds like a fine evening to me. Tickets £2 from Acorn, Listen, £2:50 on the night. A Conspiracy evening. * Majestic - The Jeremiahs, who are wonderful. Reflective but dynamic, sweet not sloppy, and they're all pretty. Reminds me of the Smiths, New Order Stars Of Heaven etc, but comparisons are unfair. Support by Sole Agents and Rare Blend. *Cap & Gown - as last Wed, a soul/r'n'b disco. Thurs 30 Oct: * Cap & Gown - Rock and roll party with The Mudcats (Garage rockabilly and blues) & The Larkins (ex Soft Dogs)... there probably won't be many psychobillies there on which to practice your phrases. Sounds like a great evening 2am bar, £1:50. * SHP - Butch Minds The Baby - 8-llpm, 75p or £1:50 if waged. Fri 31 Oct: * Halloween of course... * Reading Centre For The Unemployed - a benefit for Reading Womens Single Parent Group, with Eat & The Evil (that which remains of Beat And The Devil?) cabaret, and Naptali's One Love disco playing lots of Jah Shaka, Pablo etc (one hopes) 8-late. £2/2:50. * Basingstoke - Priestly Rd Caribbean Assoc: The Plot presents The Jeremiahs (I still think they're good) and The Particles, 8-lam, £2:50 on the door. * Paradise - The Jive Dive... regular club night with films, lots of fun and the hip hop and 60s soul selections of DJ The Cuban Heel. 8-2am, £2. * Newbury Arts Centre - T Jazz, a 6 piece Breton band mixing jazz and Breton music. * Cap & Gown - Ashley Holt Band, 2am bar, £1:50 * The Crypt, Deptf0rd High St - Ozric Tentacules and Escape From Burma. Eeeeekkkk! Sat 1 Nov: * Paradise - The Gathering - local band with a popular line in new guitar based rock. They've got a new mini LP out. They remind some people of U2, but I'm not sure about that. * Red Rag Copy Deadline 6pm at Acorn. * Local wonders Namoza are supporting the exceptionally mediocre Bad Manners in London tonight. Good luck... * Cap & Gown - Home And Abroad, pop/rock I think (vague!!) 2am bar £1:50. Sun 2 Nov: * The Fence, Radio 210, 7pm-8pm, features an interview with 2 people from local record label Criminal Damage, as well as gig news, demos etc. Check it out. * Cap & Gown - The Press Gang Club. See folk listing perhaps... Mon 3 Nov: * 0h... Tues 4 Nov: * Cap & Gown - The very wonderful Jeremiahs play tunes to tug your heart (poetry!) with lyrics to make you smile through the tears (boo hoo, this is well over the top). I must control myself and say: go and see them, it's only £1:50 and there is a 2am bar. Weds 5 Nov: * 0n which day we remember Guy Fawkes, the only person to enter Parliament with honest intentions. Now more than ever, it seems like he had the right idea alright. * Paradise - African Connexion is cancelled. Promoters The Conspiracy say sorry for any inconvenience caused... perhaps they will play later in the year. * Teach Yourself Psychobilly, revision lesson one: "The Meteors are better than The Stingrays" or "My willy is bigger than yours" 10,000 words maximum, typed if possible. Ask the supervisor for additional sheets if you need them. * Majestic - Dr Feelgood. Perhaps someone could carbon date them to find out their ages, to the nearest geological era. £3 * Next issue of Red Rag due out * Probably something dreary and drunken at the University put on as a Rag appeal fundraiser. Avoid. Thurs 6 Nov: * SHP - The Family Vault (gothic punk) 75p and £1:50, 8-llpm * ??? * Cap & Gown - Midnight Sun. Rock. Hmm. Fri 7 Nov: * Paradise - The Jive Dive, featuring The Cuban Heel (hiphop/60's soul Dj) and films. Very late bar, 8-2am £2. * Basingstoke - The Plot presents, well The Crypt comes to Babylonstoke... Ozric Tentacules and the Magic Mushroom Band. 8-lam, £2:50 on the door. Meanwhile at the Crypt itself (salubrious Deptford High St) is Voodoo Child and Full Moon, supported by Gandalf and The Blades. * Teach Yourself Psychobilly lesson 4 forming and maintaining social relationships; expressions of endearment include "My Man"(see lesson 1) and "My hairy arsed friend". Sat 8 Nov: * University - punk's not dead but it's not for the want of trying... The Damned. Get a ticket from the Ents Office at the Union one lunchtime to be sure of getting in. * Hex - The Juke Boys, 12.15, free. * Cap & Gown - rock band Fair Exchange, 2am bar and £1:50 to get in. Sun 9 Nov: * Remembrance Sunday. Now lots of good socialists, and even a few anarchists were killed in the 2 World Wars, but it doesn't make this televised jingoism any less nauseating. * Oxford - Jericho Tavern - Freelance, a 6 piece jazz combo with Reading's own virtuoso sax player and gastronome Tim Hill. * Cap & Gown - the Pressgang Club. * Radio 210 - Off The Wall, 7-8pm; local bands, gig guide, demos etc: check it. Info: * Paradise: Paradise Club 112 London St, Reading, Tel 576847. Disabled access good except for 2 steps down into the bar. * Majestic: Majestic, Caversham Rd, Reading. Tel 586093. Be careful of the door staff. Loony dress restrictions at times. * Cap & Gown: King's Road, Reading, tel 586006. Gigs are downstairs, which makes access for disabled people very bad. * SHP: South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell; tel 0344 484123. Gigs are in the Cellar Bar , so disabled access is not good. But there may be a side entrance. * University: Students Union, tel 860222, ask for Ents Office for Info. Good disabled access as there is a ramp from one level to the next. Can town people get in? * Hex - Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading tel 591591. Good access for disabled via basement level car park. Very bad from the main entrance. - - - (paid ad) KIDS AID BENEFIT 4-6, East St, Rdg Eat & The Evil One Love Disco Cabaret Friday 31st Oct 8 till late Cheap bar Good food £2:00 / £2:50 - - - (paid ad) A Conspiracy Benefit presents MIGHTY BALISTICS plus The Particles at the Paradise Club, 112 London St, Reading on Wednesday 12th Nov 9-12.30 Donations only - pay what you can. - - - (paid ad) THE GATHERING & support at: The Paradise Club London St Reading! on Sat 1st Nov 1986 for the meagre(?) price of £2:00 Time? 9.30 till late - - - SMALL ADS * Large centrally heated room in Wokingham to let from now. Vegetarian. We would prefer to provide food. Rent negotiable. Tel 782178 for more details... * Couple wanted to share large flat from end of December, £85 each pcm. Near Wargrave on the A4. (prefer veggies). Ring Mark on Reading 872087 - - - MUSIC FOR FOLK As if to prove the "dozy" epithet wrong, Readifolk had a smasheroo gig on Oct. 12th. The Oyster Band couldn't come, but quite apart from a range of local "floor singers" we were treated (right word) to 1/2 of Blowzabella, at very short notice. Only 3 of the 6-piece could get here - but they were so good! They take liberties with tunes from all over the place - Swedish polkas, French rondes & bourees, English hornpipes, a Bulgarian kopenitsa and more, on fiddle, cittern and a variety of pipes, shawms, recorder and soprano sax, plus a couple of songs. They don't use Scots bagpipes, incidentally, but English or Flemish; more subtle. The ballad "Lady Diamond" on bagpipes was amazing and the French tunes had feet tapping all over. It wasn't the infamous full "Wall of Sound" (N.B. latest album title on Plant Life), but with the complete band you can't always take in everything anyway. This was marginally subdued, but still boogied. All was strung together by Paul James' wacky and informative patter. Hope this doesn't mean we won't get the full combo in town before too long? Meanwhile, catch Blowzabella at Oxfolk's dance Nov 29 in Oxford & Aldershot Dec 13. At the same time as that lot, the new Cap & Gown club was opening in the King's Road - lousy timing, but our spies tell us it was certainly lively. This lot are keen, believe me! Can we have at least 2 folk gigs on in town every night, please? Seriously tho', for the people running the dos it's a worry to have clashes. It'd be a shame if the different styles get segregated because of being on the same night. I want to get to both! Anything vaguely to do with traditionally inspired music in the area can go in this column, OK? Details, please, to Folk Column, Box 79, 17, Chatham St, Reading, or ring Liz on 53437. Here we go. Fri 24: Comrades. Sat 25: Bracknell: Dave Coulder. Seasoned songwriter and steam train enthusiast; sensitive social comment. Honest! Oxfolk: Dance with Tiger Moth. Adventurous! Sun26: Readifolk: Singers' Night. 50p Anything can happen..... Cap & Gown: Ian Main. Scottish singer with varied repertoire. Plus DJ from the Mean Fiddler (I'm told) Mon 27: Nettlebed: Dave Houldern & Tony O'Neill. Traditional song. Tues 28: Bistro: Richard Cox-Smith; dazzling guitar work. Fleet: Martin Carthy. Went down a storm at Readifolk in August. Archetypal man-with-guitar. Oxford: Jo-Ann Kelly, with Pete Emery. He's a nifty guitarist, but she's the white blues singer. What a voice. Also Anonyma, 2 women doing women-oriented songs. Wed 29: Oxford: Ti Jaz - mixture of trad Breton folk and Parisian cafe jazz. Coo! Use, amongst other things, a bass clarinet. Very special See below. Thurs 30: M'head: Dave Walters; powerful singer and songwriter, fine guitar arrangements. Newbury: Ti Jaz. see above. Fri 31: Comrades. University Buttery, Whiteknights Park, Shinfield Rd. Ceilidh with Keeper's Gate Band, who are dead good. Tickets £2 or so are on sale at Readifolk and the Bistro. Might be tricky for non-studes to get in without? Sat 1st Nov: Aldershot: Celtic music night with (Irish) Jackie Daly, accordeon, of De Danann and Jimmie Crowley, voice S guitar and (Breton) Ti Jaz. Again! Bracknell: To be confirmed. Rosbif; French tunes on a multitude of instruments. This lot are actually British! Sun 2: Readifolk: Ministry of Humour; very popular leftist trio. Cap & Gown: (Unconfirmed) Rory McLeod. Farnham Maltings: (which is on the edge of Farnham town centre, OK?) The 2nd monthly bash organised by "Folk Roots" magazine. Kathryn Tickell on fiddle and Northumbrian pipes and the 3 Mustaphas 3 - cult band, from the Balkans (to your heart) with passports. Mon 3: Nettlebed: Fred Wedlock. Long-established traditional singer. Albany Empire Theatre, Deptford: OK, so it's London. Got a birthday? Anniversary? Just split up? Who needs an excuse, it's Sweet Honey in the Rock, 5 black women whose singing gives you more than you thought possible. £5/6. Also Tues at Sadlers Wells Theatre. Tues 4: Bistro: Jacko Lantern. Dunno. Oxford: (Jericho): Jimmie Crowley & Jackie Daly see Sat 1st. £l:75/2/2:25. Wed 5: Sing songs round the bonfire? Fri 7: Comrades. Sat 8: Oxford: percussion workshop with Hassan Erraji, a Moroccan master musician now living in London. Can get you doing complex rhythms alarmingly quickly. 0865 511620 for details. Bracknell: Keith Marsden - of Cockersdale group. Self-penned songs about dying industries in the north; fine voice. Sun 9: Readifolk: Oxbow Dash. Irish music. Overlaps with the sessions at the Kennet Arms, so can't be bad! Cap & Gown: ??? Mon 10: Nettlebed: Nigel Chippendale Music Hall. Nigel Chippendale was an outstanding multi-instrumental wizard who died, under 30, earlier this year. I haven't tracked down details of who or what the NCMH are/is, but if it's done in the spirit of the man it'll be very fine. Tues 11: Bistro. Singers' night. Always relaxed. A good place to have a go yourself. Oxford: (Jericho) Patrick Le-Mercier and Marc Rabine. French singer/songwriter/guitarist and fiddler. Apparently wonderful. Vaut le voyage, as the Michelin guide would say. £1:75/2/2:25. Fleet: Jacko Lantern. You spotted it - I haven't a clue! Wed 12:Eversley. Knowe O'Deil, from Orkney, cittern, guitars, smallpipes, whistle and songs. P.S. The regular out-of-Reading clubs (Oxford, Eversley X, Fleet, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Nettlebed) only get a mention here when they've got guests. Take it that they happen every week. For a quick handy guide to all except Oxford, Cap & Gown and the one-offs get yourself a Broadsheet at the Bistro or Readifolk clubs. 3 month's events, minimal detail, at a glance. Forthcomings: Sat 15: Whippersnapper at Bracknell. Acoustic wizardry and increasingly lovely vocals. Sun 16: June Tabor & Martin Simpson at Readifolk. The & the guitarist. Venue key Comrades = Comrades Club above BSM, Oxford Rd. Bracknell = South Hill Park, Cellar Bar. Oxfolk = Clarendon Press Centre, Walton St, Oxford. Readifolk = George Hotel, corner of Broad St & Minster St. M'ship £l. Cap & Gown = King's Rd, opp. Tech College. Nettlebed = The Bull, High St, N'bed. Bistro = Studio Bistro, London Rd Oxford = Jericho Tavern/St. Paul's Arts Centre, Walton St. Fleet = The Fox & Hounds, Fleet. Eversley = The Toad & Stumps, EversleyCross, opp. Cricket ground. Maidenhead = The Rose, King St, M'head. Kennet Arms, Pell St Mondays for Irish music. Newbury Arts Workshop - er, it's down a wee side road just by that dinky bridge in the middle of Newbury; I think it's called Northfield Road. Or Lane? Ooops, sorry folks. Aldershot West End Centre, Queens Rd, A'shot, nr Catholic Church & drum shop. - - - CARIBBEAN FOCUS BRINGS WRITERS TO READING LIBRARY Two definite dates for your diary are Monday 27 October and Friday 14 November, when writers from the Caribbean will be reading their work at Reading Central Library. On Monday 27 October, Eintou Pearl Stringer, an actress, poet and playwright from Trinidad will read her work. Her first book of poems has just been published. The second evening, Friday 14 November, features three Caribbean poets - James Berry, Amyrl Johnson and Grace Nicholls. Ms Johnson has already led 2 poetry writing workshops for schools at the Library. Both the sessions have been organised by Reading Caribbean Focus with the Library service, and both start at 7.30pm. Admission for 27 October is £1, and for the 14 November, £2 (to include refreshments). Venues within the Library are the Abbey Room for Eintou Pearl Stringer and the Music and Drama Library for the "three poets" evening. At both evenings there will be an exhibition by the Reading Black Artists Croup, and there will also be a book exhibition. Copies of works by Amryl Johnson, James Berry and Grace Nicholls are also available from Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street, tel 584425... - - - RED RAG COLLECTIVE MEETING Minutes of Red Rag meeting, Sun 12th October. One of us lives here, the other gallanty cycled the width of Reading to deliver a Treasurers report; before the first paid issue was printed, the Rag was £10 in the red. Since then £67 has come in from the donation-only benefit, plus £83 from advertising and subscriptions. So we start our capitalist compromises in the black. Due to lack of positive energy, we only dealt with one other item; date of next meeting Monday 27th October at 7.30pm. Ring 666354 for venue. - - - A GIG PREVIEW The Conspiracy presents its fourth admission by donation only - "Pay what you can" - Gig - The venue, the Paradise Club - The date - Wednesday, 12th November,1986 - The time 9.p.m. - Late bar and Light show (A fluorescent evening - brush your teeth!) - The music The Mighty Ballistics - play a mixture of Rock and Reggae - described (by Phil Broadhurst writing in Utterance) as "Haunting, Hounding, Rhythmic Reggae, what makes this band well worth seeing is their tight, never-wasted percussion with brilliant piano and Chris and Trevor's gutsy vocals." A rare chance to see this Kilburn-based, ex-Beading band. Plus - The Particles, a well-rated Oxford band, making their debut for The Conspiracy. A 9-piece, highly original and sophisticated rock band. The band consists of male and female vocals, guitar, bass, drums, sax, violin, congas and flute - all instruments and blend and weave distinctive musical patterns which are hard to forget. The lyrical content of their songs reveal a fairly deep understanding of the difference between that which appears to be, and that which actually exists in everyday life. In short a delightfully entertaining and intelligent band. So if it sounds right - Come on Down, and have some Fun! See you there, 0X0 The Conspiracy... - - - CAMPAIGN FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HANDICAPS Campaign for People with Mental Handicaps 16 Fitzroy Square London W1P SHQ 01 387 9571 - For literature and information, reading list etc. There is a branch of CMH in Portsmouth and apparently in other areas of the county. CMH questions our attitudes towards mentally handicapped people, who for the most part, are treated like prisoners. CMH would like to see most mentally handicapped people integrated into the community. - - - READING VOLUNTEER BUREAU VSC / Reading Volunteer Bureau provide support for voluntary groups. Has facilities like typewriters, photocopier etc, and advice to offer. Occasionally produces a directory of community groups. Desperately needs a computer, (they're funded by BCC and can't afford one!). Contact Jenny, Brenda(VSC),or Alison(RVB), at 24 Westcote Rd. - - - (paid ad) THE JEREMIAHS 29th Oct... Majestic Club Reading. 31st Oct... Carribean Club Basingstoke. 4th Nov... Cap 'n' Gown Reading. - - - GIG REVIEW Date: 11th October Venue: Windsor Hall, Reading University Acts: The Jeremiahs + JoJo Namoza. Funny things, University gigs; I can never make out whether people come to see the bands or for the cheap beer. But a sizeable crowd did make it from the bar to the hall to witness fine sets from both JoJo Namoza and The Jeremiahs. There are moments when JoJo Xaraoza can be quite breathtaking. Their vocalist not only has a brilliant voice, but his charisma stretches to all 4 corners of the hall, and you could not help but get involved. The rest of the band compliment him with their musicianship. The only problem was that they do sound uncannily like Talking Heads. It soon dawned on me that the band were also aware of this fact; the vocalist danced like David Byrne, and they did a Talking Heads cover version as an encore. Personally this resemblance did not bother me as I am quite partial to a bit of Talking Heads now and again, but when this band start looking for some national press, even though some of their newer numbers are exploring new musical areas, this fact will not go unnoticed. Second on were the Jeremiahs, who are a young but very talented band. They have only recently started to make an impact on the local scene. Tonight they had the elements against them. They went on at 11 o'clock, which was too late, only to find they were confronted by a bunch of pissed football supporters, at the front who insisted on reciting their favourite tunes and jumping on each others heads. Nevertheless, this four-piece from Tadley knocked out a fine set of guitar-based songs. These boys can really play. They glided effortlessly from upbeat controlled thrash into moments of style and melody. Definitely a talent to watch out for. Tim Paton. - - - ORIGINAL ROCKERS, Red Rag's soul & reggae listing, is not in this issue due to production difficulties, but will be back in the next Rag... One Love. - - - FILM AND VIDEO Info: * Reading Film Theatre (RFT) is in the Palmer Building, Whiteknights Park .Adm. £1:90, (members, senior citizens & UB40s £1:20). * South Hill Bark cinema (SHP) is in Bracknell. Prices vary. Substantial discounts for UB40s etc. * ABC Reading: tel 53931 for details. * Odeon Reading: tel 507887 does bargain shows for 4.55 screening - all seats £1:40. RCU, Reading Centre For The Unemployed, - 4-6 East St. WEA, Workers Education Assoc. Fri 24 Oct * Vagabonde (15); SHP 7.45, 10.30 FR 1985 dir Agnes Varda. 105 min sub-titles. S. France in winter lends a bleak documentary feel to what might otherwise be a romanticised tale of vagabonde 'Mona'. Sat 25 Oct * Vagabonde SHP 7.45 & 10.30 * Advanced Video Editing course; SHP 10-5.30 also Sun £40 (concs available) Sun 26 Oct * Vagabonde SHP, 7.45 only * Advanced editing as Sat Mon 27 Oct * Legend (PG) SHP 2pm & 7.45 US 1985 dir Ridley Scott 94 min. Goblins, elves, unicorns, pixies in good v. evil pseudo Hobbit romp. Tues 28 Oct * Legend SHP 2pm & 7.45 Wed 29 Oct * No Surrender (15) RFT, 8pm GB 1985 dir Petr Smith 104 min. A savagely satirical & disturbing film written by Alan Bleasdale set in a seedy Liverpool/Irish club. Sectarian divides & surreal situations. * Legend SHP 2pm & 7.45 * Womens Video Course. RCU 10-12 all women welcome. * The language of TV. WEA course 7.30-9.30 Waingels Copse School. 663857 for details. Thur 30 Oct * No surrender RFT * Legend SHP Fri 31 Oct * Legend SHP Sat 1 & Sun 2 Nov * Introducing Video course SHP. 10-5.30 £40 (concs) * Legend SHP Mon 3 Nov & Tues 4 Nov * Police (15); SHP, 7.45 Fr. 1985 dir Maurice Pialot 113 min. Tension, conflict & hostility between a cop trying to break a drugs ring & a woman who has stolen a suitcase of money; & with whom he becomes involved. Wed 5 Nov * Police SHP * Ran (15); RFT, 7.30 Japan/Fr 1985 sub-titles dir Akira Kurosawa 160 min. King Lear transposed to civil war torn 16 century Japan. An epic in every sense, Ran (meaning chaos) interweaves the elements of Japenese tradition including Noh theatre, into the Bard's plot, to give an apocolyptic vision of the conflict of our own times. * Womens Video course, RCU 10am-noon * The Language of TV as 29 oct Thur 6 Nov * Ran RFT * Video screening SHP. 7.45 free. A tape about problems in the water industry. Fri 7 Nov * Anne Devlin (PG): RFT 8pm Eire 1984 dir Pat Murphy. Despite her imprisonment & threat of execution, Anne Devlin the house keeper of an Irish Republican leader of the rising of 1798 , refuses to betray her fellow conspirators. * Freddies Revenge(l8); SHP 7.45 US 1986 sequel to the thriller 'A nightmare on Elm St'. Also Sat 8 Nov 7.45 & 10.30 runs til Wed 12 - - - CONSPIRACY GIG Marc Riley with The Creepers come to Reading!? Hailing from the wild and distant North, Marc Riley with The Creepers will be playing at the Paradise Club, 112 London St on Wednesday 29th October. The band formed three years ago, and is fronted by Mare Riley himself. Before The Creepers, Marc Riley was an important member of The Fall for five years, and was instrumental in fashioning their highly influential and respected sound. Popular live band The Creepers play fast, energetic, garagy music with a slightly Northern humorous edge. Influences include Iggy and The Stooges, T.Rex and of course The Fall. Their new single is a version of the classic Brian Eno song "Baby's On Fire", and is currently well placed in the Independent singles chart. The single features the new line up of Mark Tilton on guitar and Phil Roberts on bass, alongside Marc Riley and Eddie Fenn on drums. In Support - The Heart Throbs Based in Reading, The Heart Throbs are small girls on guitars and vocals, and tall boys on drums and keyboards. Taking shape in late '85, and emerging from their cocoons in summer '86, they have been playing live locally and in London with the likes of The Shop Assistants, Primal Scream and Stump. Their aim is to fuse pop with noise, mayhem with melody, and to be both explosive and enchanting. Can they succeed where so many hove failed? Discover the truth for yourselves. The gig is being promoted by The Conspiracy. Admission is £2:50 on the night, and £2 in advance - tickets being available from Acorn Bookshop, Chatham St. and Listen Records in the Butts Centre. - - - EVENTS Wed Peter Barton - The Mountain Experience. An exhibition of paint on laminate, mountain flavour. Very evocative. Reading Museum and Art Callery, Blargarve St. Free, till 1st November. Mon-Fri 10-5.30pm Sat 10-5pm. Peter Arnold Van Praag - urgent and vigorous figuritive paintings at S.H.P. Also a Winchester Folio, ten poems and etching. A collaboration of poets with student printmakers from Winchester School of Art. Finally Photo portraits of Britain by David Hatful from Newbury. All till 9th November. Wed 22nd Oct * L.Y.P.S. Music who Profits, meeting 8pm Fairview Community Centre George St * B.A.N.C. Planning meeting 8pm Friends Meeting House, Church St. "For the next couple of months", come and plan. Fri 24th Oct * United Nations Day. Sat 25th Oct * U.N.A./U.N.C.E.F Flag Day in Woodley. Help Dr. Hughes tel. 473122 * As reported in the last Rag; Anti-apartheid leafletting outside...? * Jumble Sale in aid of Rdg Branch Athritus Care at Grange Free Church, Southcote 2-4pm Adm 10p. * Conference on Peace and Developement, Oxfam/Christian Aid. Frank Judd and other speakers on South Africa, Tigray and Nicaragua. Not in Reading but in Aylesbury. For details Eve Thomas Aylesbury 23647. Sun 26th Oct * Berkshire Conservation Volunteers. Meet at Reading Station at 9am for pond work at S.H.P. contact P.O. box 165. * Ramblers meet at Hungerford Railway Station to walk 7 miles in Chiltern Park, 2pm. Enquiries Mike Newbury 42198. Mon 27th Oct * Hexagon - Framework, contemporary photos which enthuse quality and creativity....? till 22nd. * A talk, A Transport Miscellany by the Railway Correspondence and Travel Soc. D.F Cole. Marys Centre Chain St. 7.30pm. Do these people exist? * Sententencing Justice for Whom? George Whiteside Clerk to the Justices of Woking(ham) 8pm for the Romilly Association, Faculty of Letters, Whiteknights. Tues 28th Oct * Yoga at the central library 7pm 2nd floor bring a blanket or towel. * Hexagon - Kids Korner Club- Leslie Dee entertainment for under 5s 12.30-1.30. Wed 29th Oct * L.Y.P.S. Stand down Thatcher we want work, at AUEW Hall 121 Oxford Rd. * C.R.0.W. Task at Curtis Wood Tilehurst ring 668636 or 413934, transport provided. * Talk "Readings Breweries Old and New" Mr L Harrison of Courages, P.R. illustrating run down of employment and quality under the heading "history" for Civic Society. Kennett Rm. Civic Offices 8pm. non members welcome. Thurs 30th Oct * Last day to complain, to the chief executive and town clerk about the issue of a sex shop licence to Jeremy Bayley (Two Ways, Oak End Kay, Padworth) for 328 Oxford Rd, You know it's wrong so write! Fri 31st Oct * Halloween and Pagans beware of the Y.H.A Witch hunt. * Talk Tracing History of a House by Judith Hunter at the Park United Reformed Ch. Hall, Wokingham Rd. 7.45. * A Berks family hist, soc meeting details tel 415169. * Every Friday a pre-school storytime 10.30am for 3-5 yr olds. Contact Jenny Kinnear at the library 509241. Sat 1st Nov * Red Rag copy deadline at 6pm, ring 666354 for details. How about an editorial .. collective! Everything to box 79 at Acorn. Remember 20p doesn't write interesting informitive Rag. Get involved now especially as events person/s needed. * Collection in town centre 9.30-4.30 for redevelopement and rehabilration in Ethiopia. Collectors needed ring Vernon Welch 873163 or try Oxfam shop. * Red Weekend. L.Y.P.S. At 121 Oxford Rd. Actions, debates and social Sat. * SWAG collection of wastepaper. Skips at Honey End Lane, Palmer Park, Northumberland Ave., St Martin's Precinct, Recreation Rd, and Cattle Market, Gt Knolley's St. 8.30am-12.30pm. Support your local scouts amongst others more deserving. * Firework Display plus disco. Hot food available at reasonable prices. East Reading Adventure Playground, Palmer Park.6-8pm. Advance tickets £1:00 Adults (from P/ground) £0:50 Children. On door £1:25/75p Sun 2nd Nov * National Trust is to build a bomb shelter Volunteers. Task at Runneymede with dead flesh after. Contact Diana Crump on 665300. * Berkshire Conservation Volunteers, coppicing at Warburg Reserve, Bix, nr Henley. Meet at Station 9am. * Ramble fron Aldermaston railway station to Channel wood and Beenham, 5 miles. 2pm. See the bomb factory. Enquiries - Jim Arnott 595575. Monday 3rd Nov * RSPB Talk by Tony Soper. 7.30 pm Palmer building, Whiteknights. Tickets from Halifax building soc. Details tel Tadley 6181. Wed 5th Nov LPYS meeting, "Youth before bombs", Fairview Community Centre, George St. Woodley Peace group meeting, 36 Hazel dr Woodley, 8pm. Thurs 6th Nov * RUWG General Meeting, 7.30 pm. CEE offices London Rd. Reading Univ. Entrance Acacia Rd. Fri 7th Nov The prophecy is true: Veggie Dining returns. Mid Eastern in flavour, a four course vegan stuffing at the centre for the Unemployed, East St. Tickets only available at Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. Offers of music, entertainment, cooks etc result in a free meal! Contact Marcus on 667060, or meet at the planning meeting 7.30 pm Tues 4th at 141 Cumberland Rd. Sat 8th Nov * Workshop on Development during Oxfam's 3rd National Fast. St Mary's Church Hall, St Mary's Butts. Fast sponsorship forms available from Oxfam shops. Details - Sue Errington 874515. * "Stop the rot", conservation in museums and art galleries. Reading Museum, Blagrave St. * Changes at the Junction. Pictures and plans of how the area has changed over the last 100 yrs. l0-4pm at Wycliffe Baptist Church new rear hall. Free. - - - (paid ad) FIYAZ 60-62 Manchester Rd General Store / Off license / Newsagent / Friendly neighbourhood service / groceries Outlet for Red Rag - - - (paid ad) POP RECORDS 6 Yield Hall Place and 172 King's Road Reading's only shop for second-hand records. We buy albums for about £1 and sell them at between £2 and £2:90 unless they are really crap ones. We've also got thousands of singles from 10p-90p each. About 15,000 discs to look through. Open Mon-Sat 9-5pm Jazz - Rock - Soul - New Wave - R&B etc - - - OUTLETS * Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St, Reading. * Blue Moon Arts and Crafts, upstairs at the Emporium, Merchants Place (off Friar St), Reading. * Communication and Liaison Office Students Union, Reading Univ. * Eurofoods, Crown Colonnade, Cemetery Junction, Reading. * Harvest Wholefoods, Harris Arcade (off Friar St), Reading. * Pan Bookshop, upstairs in the Butts Shopping Centre, Reading. * UB Cycles, London St. Reading. * Filyaz, 60-62 Manchester Rd. Rdg * Pop Records, Yield Hall Place - - - LEARNING TO COUNT IN READING 1. How many B&B houses are there in Reading? 2. How many people per room (average)? 3. How many offices are there in Reading? 4. How many more are planned? 5. How many have been empty for 2 years or more? 6. How many bricks does it take to pave the area outside the Butts shopping centre? 7. How many entrances are there to Woolies? 8. How many shoe shops can Broad St. take? 9. How many building societies are there on Friar St? 10. How many number 17 buses can you spot at 9.30 in the morning and why are they empty? 11. How many roads must a man walk down before he can etc etc? Answers: 1-5: too many 6: it doesn't really matter now they're no longer building houses with them 7: don't know as I don't shop there 8: there seems to be no limit 9: same as question 8 10: give in? I do. But the drivers seem to outnumber the passengers 11: the answer, my friend, is etc etc etc - - - RED RAG STANDING ORDERS Have you at some time in the past filled in a standing order for Red Rag? Well, if so, thanks for your support - without it the Rag couldn't have remained free of charge for as long as it did!! Now that the Rag has a cover price, however, and now that people are taking out six month subscriptions for £4, (see form in this issue), do you want to change your standing order? Do you want to convert your standing order to a £4/six month subscription? Do you want to cancel your standing order and pick up the Rag from an outlet once a fortnight? Do you feel like making a regular donation to the Rag over and above the Rags you buy? Whatever you want to do about your standing order, could you please let Red Rag know by writing to Box 79 (Standing Orders), 17 Chatham St, Reading. - - - RED RAG SUBSCRIPTIONS Fill in the form below, enclose £4 and we will send you the next twelve issues of Red Rag fortnightly, reminding you when your money runs out. Please send me six months subscription to Red Rag including postage I enclose £4 Name: Address: Cheques payable to Red Rag. Send to Box 79, 17 Chatham St, Reading - - - THE RIGHT TO WORK Over the summer the Unemployment Benefit Offices in a number of pilot areas have been testing unemployed people's "availability for work" in a more severe way than they did previously. Now that tighter test is to be applied to the whole country. The significance of any test on whether someone is available for work is that the U.B.O. see giving you dole as part of a contract between claimant and State... you only get the money if you are "available for full time employment" and are actively looking for work. As a result, a government hell bent on reducing the number of people registered as unemployed, are making the "availability testing" more severe. What happens is that after 6 weeks on the dole, claimants are asked to fill out a questionnaire, form UB671A, whether or not they satisfied the pre-existing, easier availability test. They are also given a copy of the Manpower Services Commission "Jobhunting" propaganda book. An internal memo on this new test states that "no claim should be treated as straightforward if answers to questions on the claim forms or a claimants attitude cast doubt on his (sic) availability." So, if you don't get the right answers they will try and attack the benefit due to you as of right. The questionnaire reads as follows (with "right" answers supplied):- * 1: What are you doing to find work? You must show some effort is being made, eg use of the Jobcentre, applications to employers. Photocopies of applications and letters would come in useful. * 2 Can you start work today? You must answer yes. * 3 If not, why not? unanswered. * 4 What kind of work do you normally do? The Jobcentre and dole office will ignore whatever you put in this section. This comes from the idea that you are not to restrict your chances of getting a job by sticking to what you know. * 5 Are you able and willing to take any full time job? You must answer that you are willing and able to take any such job. There is a space for reasons why you cannot; you can get away with a "no" only if you clearly show that your job prospects are limited for health reasons, or if you show you are in a specialised occupation / have recently taken a training course for that. Any other restrictions will mean your benefit could be suspended, eg the limitation on hours which forms part of the questionnaire. * 6 Are you willing to work beyond your home town? Yes is the answer you are supposed to give. "No" could get your claim referred to the Jobcentre and then perhaps suspended. * 7 Are you willing to work beyond daily travelling distance? Again you are to say yes - to saying you'll take a job which might be so far away that you can't travel home every evening. * 8 Do you have any adults or children to care for during working hours? Many people, especially women with children are treated as "unavailable for work" because the State thinks such commitments make a person unemployable. Hence many people find it hard to get any benefit at all, and the availability test uses the same logic. One is meant to say No to this question, or, if you have got this kind of responsibility, that you can make immediate arrangements for their care if you do get a job. * 9 What was your weekly wage/salary in your last job? * 10 What is the minimum weekly wage/salary you are willing to take? These 2 are taken together - the amount in question 10 must not be more than the answer you gave to question 9. The idea is to stop people getting benefit if they put down a wage which is a fair reflection of their value. Right, so these are the answers the UBO want to see. They will check one out of ten forms which are filled in "properly" because they don't trust anyone. If your answers are not "straightforward" then you will be interviewed by a creep from the Unemployment Benefit Office, or from The Jobcentre. They will try to get more information out of you, to decide whether to suspend your benefit... but until you actually turn up for such an interview your benefit is suspended anyway, according to the U.B.O's "Availability memo *2" If you are presented with one of these questionnaires - which is likely after you have been signing after a mere six weeks if the scheme applies to Reading - then use this as a guide to filling it in. And tell your local Unemployment Centre as well so that they can inform other claimants if they want to. Billy Whizz - - - ADVERTISING RATES Single column (6cm) by 10cm... £3:50 Double column (12cm) by 10cm... £7 Half page... £12 Smaller ads 40p per column cm - - - COPY WIDTH Red Rag is now 3 columns wide copy should be typed single space, to a width of 8cm to be reduced to 6cm. - - - published by the red rag collective printed by acorn, 17 Chatham st. $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1986/1986-10-21.txt#3 $