RED RAG 4th-17th feb free - fortnightly Next Issue: Write to Red Rag, c/o Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St, Rdg. Coordinator - Sue 665806 Copy date - 14th Feb Distribution - 669562 Going Out - 782178 News - 665806 Events - 667060 - - - MINERS DISPUTE 70% are still on strike - said Arthur Scargill on a recent T.V interview. Misinformation: Despite the N.C.B. planned campaign of misinformation and suppression of the facts of the strike, the Miners remain solid in their resolve not to allow the strike to be broken. They reject totally the constant pressure by the media to force them to accept Pit Closures on Economic Grounds, which in effect, allows the N.C.B. to decide unilaterally and without consultation with the N.U.M. the future of a pit. (The N.C.B. economists would decide.) It is in effect a strategy which gives total control to the N.C.B. and bring about the end to the role of the N.U.M. in effectively protecting members interests, i.e. the destruction of the N.U.M. Falsification Campaign: The Board's falsification campaign is wearing thin, when they quote figures of Miners returning to work which do not add up. Out of 196,000 membership of the N.U.M., 140,000 are on strike (N.U.M. figures). So 56,000 are working. This is not one third of the total membership as the madia recently claimed had returned to work. The cost of the strike is becomming an embarrassment to the Government i.e. £5,000M, which amounts to £100 per man, woman and child in the whole country. Coal is now costing £250 per tonne where previously, under normal conditions it cost £40 to £100 per tonne. These extra costs are caused through policing, scab wages and bribes, expensive oil. Foriegn media report how the strike is causing the £ to devalue but here in the U.K. its its fall in value is attributed to the dollar. Again more misinformation. The Government is currently having to find an extra £300 million per month to rescue the pound. In this way Thatcher is steadily creating an economic noose for her Government. N.A.C.O.D.S. The Miners safety union is up in arms as a result of Thatchers recent statement on the box to impose the precondition on the current talks of insisting a closure of pits on uneconomic grounds, because this directly contravenes their own agreement with the N.C.B., and they are prepared to take what ever action they see as necessary to " protect the present existing agreements". They refuse to co-operate in Pit Closures. Links: At the recent "Open Forum of the Left" (Jan 29), Ken Selway (S.Wales N.U.M.) said "This last 11 months has been one of the most exciting periods of my life". The strike has been a period when links between people (which were hitherto unknown) have been forged. Confidence among the strikers and supporters to act to change the conditions in which they are living has grown. And those involved in this struggle have been made well and truly aware of the real face of the Thatcher government and the role of the media in backing them In their campaign to impose upon this country anti-popular, anti-humanitarian policies, whether in the Coal Industry, G.C.H.Q., Public Transport, Arms Industry, G.L.C. These policies reflect only the interests of a few, the Monetarists and which thereby directly conflict with the working people of this country. So the strike has by no means been lost, and even if the demand of No Pit Closures cannot be won, the Miners will not accept defeat, but will go on as will their supporters to fight this tide of destruction this Government has launched upon us. Reading Miners Support Group. February 85 Reading Miners Support Group Meetings / Benefits Feb. 7th Folk Evening - 8pm Horse 'n Barge Duke St. Rdg. Feb. 12th Dance Bands, Paradise Club 8-Late £2, £1 unwaged. Feb. 23rd A.U.E.W. Jumble Sale 2pm. 10p Feb. 26th Dance Bands Paradise Club, 8-Late £2, £1 unwaged. Regular Meetings T.G.W.U. Office Kings Rd. Thursdays 7.30pm - - - REMEMBER... Switching on at 6pm creates a daily peak of electricity demand and means that coal-fired power stations operating at a low level - or those in mothballs until winter - have to be brought into operation. That eats still further into coal stocks. It is also possible that a big enough switch-on would create an electricity blackout, registering massive support for the strike. Switch on at six every day. Cookers, toasters, irons, stoves, electric heaters, all use large amounts of electricity. Just change your pattern so that at 6pm each evening you use the appliances, and, if possible, keep going to 6.30pm. But the major point to remember is simple: Switch On at Six Each Day. And pass this message on to six other sympathetic people. It is also important to flush toilets at 6 p.m. This helps to activate sewage pumps which are very, heavy users of electricity. - - - RED RAG Red Rag is Readings only newspaper and is produced fortnightly by a collective of volunteers. It is free and can be picked up at any of the outlets listed below, or even delivered to your door by a dedicated distributor. Phone Guy on 669562 for this. It is financed entirely by readers donations, but the odd paying ad. is also taken (£7 / 1/4 page or £12 1/2 page). There is a standing order form somewhere in this issue, so you pay the painless way if you have a bank account. Most of the material is not written by the Red Rag collective, and views expressed are not necessarily the same as ours. We usually print anything sent in providing it is not racist, sexist or supportive of an oppressive religion, or boring. Poems stand little chance of getting in, but we'll try to pass them on to someone who can publish then elsewhere. If you can type, articles should be typed single spaced and 12cm. wide, then send copy to Box 79, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St./ Reading by the Thursday before production. Collective meetings are held every 6 weeks, all are welcome to coma and contribute. The next meeting is on Sun 24th. Feb 4pm. in the Top Flat, 117 Kendrick Road. - - - WARNING Because of problems with the computer which produces the Red Rag distribution list, there is a danger that we will not be able to distribute the next issue to all the usual addresses. If this happens, we will distribute to outlets only, so you will have to pick up your copy of the Rag from one of the following places: Acorn Bookshop, Chatham St Central Club, London St Centre for the Unemployed, East St Elephant Groceries and Off-licence, Derby St Eurofoods, Crown Colonnade, Cemetery Junction Fairview Community Centre, George St Fine Food Stores, 168 Oxford Rd Gill Newsagent, Caversham Rd Harrison's Newsagent, Caversham Rd Harvest Wholefoods, Harris Arcade, Friar St Jelly's Stores, Whitley St Kan's Kitchen, London Rd Ken's Shop, Students Union, Whiteknights Ling's Chinese Fish Bar, Wokingham Rd Listen Records, Butts centre Mo's Place, London St Music Market, Union St Number Sixty, Christchurch Green Pop Records, King's Rd Rag Doll, London St Reading Wholefoods, London Rd Sugar Bowl, Wokingham Rd Sutherlands, Erleigh Rd Tech College, King's Rd UB Cycles, London St - - - SMALL ADS Home wanted - for quiet, easy-going non-smoker with lots of books. Could pass for vegetarian. Please contact James on 473205. Trio AM-FM Stereo Tuner for sale - perfect condition. In box with instruction book. £30. 665806 Wanted cheap of free - spin drier in working order. Phone 588459. Free to anyone who can collect - lift-top desk with large mirror inside lid, suitable for bedroom or sitting room. Phone 588459. Small ad of immense importance - desperate homeless fiddler (and cat if poss) urgently needs a place to live - unfurnished s/c if at all possible but will consider damned near anything but 6-a-side B&B. Ring Dave on 596639, drop round to Reading Centre for the Unimpressed or leave a message with Jo on 666681. Large puppy wanted for loving home. Contact Debbie on (Wokingham) 789065. 4 cute kittens will need a home soon, If interested ring 861305 - 6pm. Rebecca - "Happy 21st" Yip Yip Yip - Fred Fly Mike H - Your poem submitted to Red Rag - we've passed it on to "Earley Poetry", local mag. available at Acorn. Hope this is OK. - - - WORKERS' COOPERATIVES - Save jobs and create more - Are owned by their members - Give them control over their jobs - Are rooted in the local community Need - Specialist skills - Resources - Advice - Support Need a Cooperative Development Agency Interested? Open Meeting 7.30 Tues Feb 19th Reading Centre for the Unemployed, 4-6 East Street, Reading tel. 596639 Speakers - John Goodman, Coventry Coop Development Agency - Worker from GLEB Coops Development Unit - - - GOING OUT SHP - South Hill Park, Bracknell (0344 484123) RFT - Reading Film Theatre, Univ. Palmer Building Hex - Hexagon (591591) Sun 3rd Butler, Chatham St, free jazz at 8pm. Cav. Bridge Hotel - Readifolk, 8pm, free. Hexagon - Rodgers and Hammerstein Gala £5/£6. SHP - "Broadway Danny Rose (PG) 7.45. SHP - Bournemouth Sinfonietta, 7.30pm; Bach, Stravinsky, Haydn: £3.75/£2.75. Mon 4th Hex - "Way Upstream" (Alan Ayckbourn) 8pm, £3.50/£4/£4.50/concessions. SHP - "Broadway Danny Rose (PG) 7.45. Tue 5th Hex - as 4th, with concessions of up to £2 - phone 591591. Univ. Students Union - Hurrah!, Microdisney & the Dantees, £2.75, 1am bar. SHP - Bracknell Fusion Dance Night 8pm £2/1.50 SHP - "Broadway Danny Rose (PG) 7.45pm SHP - Humphrey Lyttleton Band, 8pm, £4. Wed 6th Progress Theatre, Christchurch Rd - Othello. 7.45pm, all tickets £3. RFT - "The Right Stuff", (15) 7.15pm; £1.10/£1.70. Hex - as 4th, with matinees at 2.30 too. SHP - "Broadway Danny Rose (PG) 7.45. Jive Dive at the New Yorker, Queens Walk. SHP - Ceremonies - "an exciting Anglo French theatre project", 7.30pm, £3. Thurs 7th Progress Theatre - as 6th SHP - Ceremonies, as 6th, but £4/// SHP - Video, Swindon. University - Faculty of Letters Senior Common Room - Jean Clause Barliocchi, £1, French popstar? RFT - as 6th (NB £1.10 with UB40) SHP - Flowers in the Dustbin - local band, £1.50/£1/50p. 8pm Univ. Campus Concert / Workshop - members of London Sinfonietta, 4.30, Dept Music. Horse & Barge - Miners Benefit: Folk / Blues / Irish Band / R&B. 8-11.30. £1.50/£1 unwaged Hex - as 4th Fri 8th Progress Theatre - as 6th Hex - as 4th Veggie Dining - Box Office Fairview multimedia eats... Paradise Club - Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8pm free Folk - the Lamb at Eversley. Target - Dealer, free. SHP - "Comfort & Joy" (PG) 7.45. SHP - Friday Live - local bands. SHP - Bernard Roberts: Beethoven piano sonatas season, 8pm. £3.25/£3. Sat 9th Hex - as 4th, with 4.30 show too. Progress - last night of Othello. Hex - Jazz Faculty, 12.15, free Target - Groundhogs. SHP - "Comfort & Joy" (PG) 7.45 & 11pm Central Club - Restriction & Enterprise sounds & 2 Bad Crew. Veggie food. 8pm - 2am, £3 on door. SHP folk "Come All Ye" 8pm £1.20/£1.50 SHP Wilde Theatre - Fans; new Barry Hart musical £2.50/£1.50, 8pm. Sun 10th SHP - "Comfort & Joy" (PG) 7.45pm Butler, Chatham St, free jazz at 8pm. Readifolk at Cav. Bridge Hotel 8pm Mon 11th SHP - "Comfort & Joy" (PG) 7.45pm Tue 12th Miners Benefit at Paradise - A Nation Mourns & reggae band & support. 8 til late, £2/£1. SHP - Jazz - Tommy Chase Quartet, 8pm, £? SHP - "Comfort & Joy" (PG) 7.45pm SHP Wilde Theatre - "Pamela" (Richardson). £3. Univ. Campus Concert by String Quartet: Brahms 1.10pm, Palmer Building. Hex - Shalamar, 8pm, £6. Tudor Arms, Gay Disco, free. Wed 13th Jive Dive at the New Yorker. RFT: "Il Bidone" (the Swindler) & "La Strada" (the Road) - Fellini 7.15pm. SHP Wilde Theatre - as 12th. SHP "Comfort & Joy" (PG) 7.45. Univ - Faculty of Letters theatre: "Ein Engel Kommt Nach Babylon" (F. Durrenmatt) - satirical comedy: 2.30 & 7.30. £1 from German dept. secretary. Thur 14th RFT - "E la Nave Va" (& the Ship Sails On) (PG) - Fellini, 7.15pm. Plus discussion. Univ F.o.L. theatre - as 13th, 7.30 only SHP Wilde Theatre - as 12th SHP - local bands £1.50/£1/50p: 0344 484123 SJP - Bracknell film society present "The Third Man" (PG) 7.45. Hex - The Italian Girl in Algiers by Rossini - opera, 7.30pm, £4/£5.50 tel 591591. Fri 15th Tudor Arms, Gay Disco, 8pm, free. Folk at the Lamb, Eversley. Univ RAGS - Divine & support, £3.50. 8pm-2am. Hex - opera: A Masked Ball, by Verdi. 7.30pm, as for 14th. SHP - Pamela as 12th, £4.50/£4/£3.50 SHP - Bernard Roberts, more Beethoven piano sonatas: 8pm, £3.25/£3. SHP - "This is Spinal Tap" (15) 7.45 & 11pm. SHP - Friday Live bands Old Town Hall - Benefit gig (for profoundly handicapped adults). Nick Turner's Inner City Limit & Magic Mushroom Band & disco. 8 - late. £2/£3. Univ FoL Theatre - as 14th. Paradise Club: ? Sat 16th Target - Larry Miller Band. Hex - Rossini opera as 14th. Hex - free music, 12.15pm SHP folk - Keeper's Gate Band, 8pm, £1.20/£1.50 SHP - "This is Spinal Tap" (15) 7.45 & 11pm. SHP Wilde Theatre - as 12th. Sun 17th Hex - Stu Francis & Crackerjack show. 2.30 & 5pm. All £3. Readifolk at Cav. Bridge Hotel, 8pm Free jazz at Butler, Chatham St, 8pm SHP - "This is Spinal Tap" (15) 7.45. Mon 18th Univ - RAGS: King Kurt & the Teenagers from Outer Space. 8 til 12, £3. Hex: "One for the Road" by Willy Russell: 8pm nightly with Wed and Sat matinees. Run til 23rd. £3.50 to £4.50. For details phone 591591/ SHP "Splash" (15) 2pm & 7.45pm Tues 19th Hex - as 18th SHP - Jazz: ICQ. 8pm, £2.50/£2. SHP Wilde Theatre: Twelfth Night, 7.30pm, all seats £3. Until 23rd. SHP "Splash" (15) 7.45pm. Tudor Arms, Gay Disco, free, at 8pm. Wed 20th University Opera: "The Elixir of Love" by Donizetti, 7.30pm, London Rd Great Hall. Tickets £1-£3.50. Runs til 23rd. Jive Dive at the New Yorker. RFT - The Company of Wolves (18)- Neil Jordan, 8pm. Also 21st (with UB40 discount.) Mark is now doing "Going Out" and would be pleased to receive any relevant news: phone 782178... - - - BOX OFFICE On the principle that the Cabaret at Reading's Most Exclusive Nite Spot (where you can hear the trains roll by between the flageolets and the tin whistles) has been getting a bit samey, and in the inescapable knowledge that there are finite limits to the DHSS's weekly grant aid to Community Arts in Reading, Box Office is making good its threat to Do Its Own Thing at VeggieDining. Cinsequontly, next Friday's (February 8th's) Veggie do at Fairview Community Centre will be a Big Box Office Benefit and Blowout, at which we will be providing not only impeccably animal-free edibles but a healthy dose of Big Brother Boffo's Real Live Community Arts - in other words, lots and lots of things you can entertain yourselves with. Exactly what is for you - and us - to find out on the night, but we're hoping to plan the meal so it doesn't take forever to cook and serve, leaving ample tine to have a go at playing lead bonk tube with the East Street and All Comers Idiophonic Orkestra and do a variety of things with paper, cardboard, stickytape and whatnot - most especially whatnot, which can be squidgey so bring or wear squidgeable gear such as overalls, dungarees, boiler suits, lab coats or space suits. Your very own VeggiePlayscheme, yeah? See you! (And as usual forever and ever amen help is needed with cooking, serving and possibly mopping up the squidge.) - Box Office - - - A RED COLUMN - a different individual view of Reading and its surroundings Eh, Brian, What a .... Various blue moles assure me that the Reading Tories have fought their Mayoral battle to a standstill, and that the man left standing, for a mix of reasons, is Brian Fowles, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, who is now looking forward to a year of free nosh and soccer on the town. He is a man of parts: an early column recorded Ron Jewitt's attack on him as believing in "planning principles" which Ron (and John) believed were obstructing the great John Oliver Memorial Ice Rink (RIP). John and Brian in fact had several nasty little spats right there in the council chamber. Brian's principles, though, didn't force him to obey his conscience rather than his group and oppose the Beacontree bid for Richfield Avenue, but then the Mayoralty was coming up at the time! And his name will be that which the Tories put forward, claiming a second successive Mayoralty because of and to safeguard their majority of one. The question then is what happens to Ron Jewitt? In his old Chairmanship of Housing Tony "Readibus" Markham has convinced the Evening Post and at least some Tories that "a star is born" and he can hold his own. So the pressure on Ron will be to take a straight swap into the Planning seat. It'll be a hot one next year as the town centre plan is coming up for review and the Planning Committee will have to work out what to do when it runs out of sites to let its friends build offices on. With a Chairman who doesn't believe in planning principles it is anyone's guess what line they will take... Bondage Bright Tilehurst's non-Day Liberal, Janet Bond, last year's unsuccessful Lib/Lab nomination for Mayor, is, at least according to orange moles, determined to mount a challenge to Brian Fowles or indeed any other Tory this year. What's not sure is whether the Days agree. Watts Crisis As Freddie Laker pushes the privatisation of British Airways further and further into the distance (only a very odd Government would be diverted from its chosen direction by a demand from a bankrupt friend that "I want my airline back" but then this Government is odd that way) Thames Water Authority boss Roy Watts (ex-BA) is shouting down Ministers' ears that if they want £750,000,000 or so all they've got to do is privatise his Authority. And they will stop 190 Tory M.P.s for Thames Valley seats believing that they should have some influence over water rates. The plot boils well. Puffing Billy The attack of the M.P. for Wokingham, Sir William van etc., on a Battle Hospital doctor for publicising the effects of tobacco is totally unconnected with the fact that the said M.P. was revealed in the House of Commons last July to have shares in Grand Metropolitan, itself a tobacco company recently attacked by the British Medical Association. Fruits of Freedom It is-sad to record yet another victory for the Freedom Association in their battle to suppress freedom at Greenham Common. Their local gauleiter, Anthony Meyer of RAGE, has succeeded in getting the Greenham women erased from the electoral register on the grounds that their benders are "unlawful". In less advanced countries like those in South America there is this court-inflicted punishment for dissent called "suspension of civil rights". I've always wondered what it meant and now I know. It's when people opposed to the state are deprived of the right to vote and the right to stand for election. They have freedom in South America too. Earnie Does It The news that our neighbour and Defence Secretary Michael Hezeltine is going ahead with the Type 23 frigate, the first of which will be built by Swan Hunter, comes in the nick of time for "Sir Earnie" Harrison of Racal, whose shares had slumped 76p to 212p after a slump in profits and complaints that he had made misleadingly optimistic forecasts during the takeover battle for Chubb. Purely coincidental of course, but it was no doubt helpful to all concerned that Peter Levene, a former defence contractor who well understands companies' dependence on the MoD, is now in charge of Defence Procurement. Meanwhile, Earnie's Vodafone is proving less popular than BT's Cellnet, despite an earlier launch, and it will be interesting to see what pressure is brought upon "our" privatised BT to make room for a company which is after all the biggest single contributor to the Tories' TINA Fan Club. Till then, chew upon Earnie's promise when taking over Chubb: "We are intent on creating the most powerful security company in the world." Indeed. Trenchertown? John Norgate's unfortunate position outside Newbury's Rotary circles is causing him problems, planning problems. The self-styled millionaire's attempt to build a shiny new HQ for his Trencherwood empire in the centre of Newbury has been turned down by their planning committee, the Hon. Gerald Vane describing it as "a great brute of a building". No way to treat someone who has brought so many new bricks to the District. The only place they seem willing to allow him free rein is in Thatcham, where two huge new Trencherwood applications have been approved, probably because the Newbury Planning Committee don't know Thatcham all that well and care less. There's a growing feeling in Thatcham, fanned by the local Liberals, that they're not getting a square deal from Newbury - grants and sports pitches and so on go to the Torier areas to the West - and it won't be long before the said Liberals start calling for UDI from Newbury. Just like their colleagues in Woodley and Earley have been doing as they groan under Wokingham's velvet heel. And John Norgate will probably sponsor a Thatcham Elks of his very own. Valley of Tears As the Evening Post despairingly joins the call for a Minister of Technology, it is worth hitech folk reminding themselves that 1984 saw a doubling of bankruptcies in the computer industry with respect to 1983. Sheikh of Tay, Barratt of Bath It is not generally known that Barratt's major shareholders include the Kuwait Investment Office, which means that the Sheikh of Kuwait will soon have a 7% stake in the nice little development Barratt's are doing down at Tay Road. It's even less generally known that the Housing Association with which Barratt's is in partnership at Tay Road enjoys the active participation of a Tory Councillor from an outer London borough. And after all that trouble the GLC had with Housing Associations too! Meanwhile, mother Barratt, a former Reading Tory Alderman, has got together with a Housing Association too, this time to make some bread out of his decaying former home in Bath Road which they're trying to turn into a couple of dozen "old people's flats". There's money in mortar. K-k-keep it c-c-coming, Citizen Cain - - - THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE COLLECTIVITY I would like the opportunity to clear up some misunderstandings in Jackie's article 'The Personal Remains Political' of a few issues ago, and to clarify some of the points I made in my own, earlier, article 'The Cosmo Girl's Guide to Non-Monogamy'. I am aware that in airing one's personal opinions one is open to accusations of writing prescriptively. Apart from pointing out that the opinions expressed come from personal experience, which I did, I can think of no way of avoiding this problem (something Jackie, too, failed to achieve!) except to cease seeing it as a problem. Anyone who disagrees strongly enough will reply and put a different case. Anyway, I'd like to make one thing absolutely clear. I hold no brief for those who wish for standards by which to measure their sexual prowess (male or female). I am worried about the impact of celibacy as a trendy new way in which to cope with relating to people, but this does not mean that I in any way support the myth of the 'frigid' woman! I believe that the generalisation of such myths and the new tendency towards choosing celibacy as a way of life are both symptoms of and reactions to the same problem - ie the artificial primacy of sex in our society. Sex is important, but the whole of our self-esteem should not depend on it! Sexuality is very complex, and so, therefore, is celibacy. I think choosing celibacy is throwing the baby out with the bathwater(!). Monogamy Jackie sees monogamy as a condition - as 'the personal enactment of the power, control and ownership that exists in every "relationship" in this society'. I disagree. Monogamy does not in itself imply a power imbalance between the sexes (the finger can be pointed at the division of labour, sex roles and the nuclear family) although it is true that people use power in all kinds of relationships - including monogamy. Heterosexual monogamy is privileged and rewarded in our present-day society. But people who try out alternatives are equally subject to the pressure to play roles and participate in power games and struggles. Monogamy, like celibacy, is a choice amongst others. As long as we understand the implications of any choice we make, and bother to talk about fears and desires with each other, we stand some chance of avoiding some of these pitfalls. Sex, Love and All That Sexuality as it is constructed in our society carries a heavy emotional load, involving love, companionship, fear of loneliness, search for identity, need for security. I don't believe my self-esteem or my identity should depend on my sexuality any more than it should on my job. 'I' am many things. But given the complexity of our sexuality, I think the implications of celibacy should be considered as seriously. I think it is possible to see celibacy as being artificially constructed in the same way as our sexuality is. Defining celibacy is as problematic as defining sexuality. Where does affectionate friendliness end and sexual expression begin? Don't you love to flirt outrageously? Do you feel it's not allowed? (I'm not talking about using sexuality as a weapon in a power game.) Love is validated in certain recognised, social structures (girlfriend or boyfriend); but don't you find yourself 'in love' outside this closed system - with friends, comrades, a place, a movement... It is above all the feeling of connection with others - a feeling of intimacy and lust for life that I'm talking about. Yes, I am an autonomous individual, but without my connection with others I am nothing. Autonomy What does sexual and personal autonomy mean? If I am engaged in a monogamous relationship with someone, but not living with her/him and spending most of my time working on various projects with friends, does this mean I don't qualify as an autonomous individual? Does autonomy necessarily involve emotional and sexual celibacy as the basis of existence - with carefully controlled periods of sexual and/or emotional behaviour? Our society encourages emotional dependence on one partner-in-life. It needn't be like that. Human beings do depend on one another. 'Personal Autonomy' need not be the same as total emotional self-sufficiency. Even people who choose to remain 'celibate', I'm sure, receive emotional support from friends - and express themselves sexually, in all kinds of ways! I can't help seeing celibacy as a self-imposed sacrifice. Anything which implies a restraint on emotions and sexual feelings seems to me to be a numbing way of 'coping' with the system, rather than a way of breaking out of it. I don't want to become someone who doesn't appear to need anything or anybody. We spend so much time trying to appear like that anyway - it's called alienation. I want to be able to need other people, be 'weak' when I want to, admit failure and find supportive criticism instead of judgement. I want to give and seek pleasure and undermine alienation. I don't want to be an island. Propaganda I believe we realise ourselves in each other. I don't mean through each other, I mean in each other: in interactions with others we discover new aspects of our personalities, adventures, possibilities - it's what we do with friends. Why confine love and sexuality to lovers? Why not extend adventure to the realms of relationships? Jeanne D'arc - - - LETTER Dear Red Rag, Oh the Bright Young Female Sparks who keep putting all their fresh from the hand critiques on sexuality in Red Rag, so full of false mediations on useless occupations and paranoid fascinations on the untroubled sleep of monogamy - blind visions in stereo. Like middle class mystics, they augur new moral orders out of the hat and very much out of the hat and very much out of hand with the sleighting gesticulatory smoothness of a demagogue - all pen, paper and surface ideology - no substance and no depth, proffering to various panderers "Crawl Around My Brain" mystical impoverishment tours with noses pinocchio clean - locked in ideological synchromesh, oiling the wheels with slippery evasions and secretly instigating in certain cases a "Do Right" hierarchy of sexual relationships from the margins of monogamy and claiming this thrill of refusal/insecurity of submission is not a repressive alienation. All they're doing is banding about titles which smokescreen their complicity in sustaining the division of sexual labour. Take the "You Can Do What's Never Been Done" headings of the articles, The Cosmo Girl's Guide To Sexuality, The Personal Remains Political, The Song Remains The Same - the only difference is that they are ideological mirror images. And these are solutions? - what really hits is that they build these falsely contested fantasies on other people's hopes, frustration and despair, engaging in a petty bourgeois talking shop, while most of us are stuck between the unslightly and the serene, floundering in a love like blood and can do without "Lifelines" from nietzschean superwomen, unless it's to bring on the clowns in the twilight of idols. These new moral-sexual orders are just further bars on the cage, with so much confusion already a more the merrier attitude because of a desire to say something new leaves itself open to being recuperated into the Spectacular circus where everything has been said before; so they up their plans because it's a free ticket to "Babel-On" - the original plain of desire isn't anywhere around there.......... A Bestial Maniac. - - - GIG REVIEW Wallys Wasted Weelky Piece comes this week from the Paradise club where on 22nd January more bands played in front of a fullish house in aid of the Free festival that is going to happen in Reading this summer. To the music, if you weren't there you may think that Wally de Wombat tells untruths so I suggest you come to the next gig to make sure. Paradise Now a local band with a touch of the bizarre, theatre, emotion and a lot of work went into this piece of music they can also cope with the unmerciful hecklers that turned up. Cosmic Crucifixion Climax. Slave Dance the name of the band changing during the course of the evening. The worst thing possible is happening here. In silhouette the band played a fusion style that is very hard to describe to non participants, cos that's what its all about, Fun in the Festival of Life. The promotional poster stated "Your imagination can't take you here". U had to B there to have any idea. Musically this band were tight/together and the music was not only full of dance rhythms and head rhythms,it also had lyrics that made you think/angry/sad/happy and a load of other emotion/feeling. When you look up and see through some of the misty illusion that is/we place(d) around us/ourselves. No Defences, personally mine were shot to pieces by the time the band had struck their first chords and the rest of the show was spent on another plane of life. I enjoyed this band cos you can read the lyrics as their vocalist sings along with the rest of the audience via the synchronised tape/slide show ZipZ through your channels and canals. Mind and music in harmony and all I can say is if you weren't there how are you supposed to know what's going on or even what I'm going on about. Wally de Wombat - - - SMALL AD Singer Wanted We're looking for someone who is interested in singing Blues/Rock in local Pubs/Clubs etc. for a bit of fun, but semi-serious all the same. If you think you've got a voice, and you're into using it, call Paul or Trevor on 597368.. - - - DRESSING THE MAYPOLE This is a call for people to help a small local group of pagans plan the public dressing of a traditional maypole this summer, in one of Reading's parks. The plan so far is to concoct a tradition for it which involves public participation, not just spectacle-watching, either in dressing the pole, or dancing around it afterwards, or both. Ideas for other things that could happen at the same event include: the treading of a maze (like the one at Cemetery Junction but larger and possibly cut directly into turf as a permanent feature), morris dancing, musicians (accoustic), street theatre, crafts, stalls, workshops and other items of a wondrous and - ideally - participatory nature. Maybe veggie food, maybe a beer tent, maybe a fire in the evening..... (And it's never too late to have a happy childhood.) We're thinking of doing all this on Saturday May 11th (the first day of the Festival Fringe and also more or less the Mayday of the Old Calendar). There's a chance of it coinciding with a town centre procession (floats, clowns, jugglers,....) in the morning and a ceilidh somewhere in the evening. But right now it's all rather vague. We need people to suss a suitable way of getting members of the public to dress - and dance around - a maypole, people to persuade stallholders and performers and so on to be there, people to obtain the various permissions required... In short, there are not yet enough of us to co-ordinate the event. No doubt we could get something together anyway but if we end up doing it alone it's not going to be very good. If you have any ideas of what we could do and how we might go about it, we'd love to hear from you - ring the number below. Or if you might possibly be interested in helping organise, there'll be a meeting at 24 Norwood Road on Sunday 10th at 3pm; we'll decide then whether the plan has enough support to go ahead. Interested in seeing this happen? Nick (666681) - - - (paid ad.) JIM CROCKATT Carpenter Pococks Cottage, Mariners Lane Bradfield. Berks. Bradfield 744728 - - - ANARCHIST VIDEO SHOW Free The Crown Pub Crown Street Thurs. Feb 7th - 8pm Stop The City - March 1984 50 mins Pre-release roughcut version Call It Sleep - US 40 mins Mainly US television visuals with a new sound-track which leaves no-one feeling entirely comfortable. - - - C.H.A.O.S. Long, Long Ago*, in the fairy-tale land, of Reading University, there was born an idea. This idea grew rapidly into a concept and the concept matured into a society. Thus C.H.A.O.S. came into the land, and there was much rejoicing. Sadly the society was ravaged by the evil 'zaminations that lurked on the borders of the land and its members were scattered to the five corners of the world. For many years the idea lay all but dead, remembered by only a handfull of its more faithful members. But now, in the International Year Of The Hug, the time has come for C.H.A.O.S. to arise reborn and claim its rightful place in World History.... Proclamation We, The Powers That Be, do hereby invite All and sundry to Join and Take Part In C.H.A.O.S. Being Cuddle Hug And Otherwise Socialise Rules and Regulations: C.H.A.O.S. has neither rules nor regulations, however it does have... Guiding Principles: (1) It is recognised by C.H.A.O.S. members that a large part of the miseries and ailments that beset mankind are caused by insufficient physical contact and that too little hugging may cause, the spine to shrivel up. Therefore... (2) It is the duty of C.H.A.O.S. members, whenever another member is encountered, to greet them with some form of friendly physical contact such as a hug. The actual degree of friendliness and physical contact to be agreed by mutual consent. (3) All members should try to get a minimum quota of 3 hugs each day, for their own physical and mental well being. (4) Members should try to spread the philosophy of C.H.A.O.S. to non members, but are cautioned not to be too pushy about it. (5) When a new person is recruited to C.H.A.O.S. it is usual (but not obligatory) for the member who recruited him/her to give her/him a formal initiation by getting together as many other members as possible and holding a Hug-In. How To Join: (1) Decide to join. (2) Announce your decision to the world by constructing and wearing an emblem of C.H.A.O.S. The traditional emblem was simply a badge with the word 'C.H.A.O.S.' on it in technicolour. However feel free to be as creative as you like - teeshirts, hats, tattoos etc are all acceptable. All that is required is that the word C.H.A.O.S. be clearly visible. (3) Follow the 'Guiding principles' as set out above. Happy Hugging Kubla Koan (C.H.A.O.S., H.M.S.H. and Bar.) * About 1979. - - - VEGGIE DINING How It Has Worked In The Past ... How. Can It Work In The Future? Due to other commitments, I am no longer prepared to ensure that Veggie Dining takes place, and would like to see either groups and individuals co-ordinate it in the future. The origins of Veggie Dining are somewhat obscure these days. It started with talk of preparing vegan food so that everyone can eat it and to show that it can be wholesome, cheap, satisfying and delicious. Another intention was to make it educational and to involve people who have no idea of veganism. Over the past year or so it has been regular, fortninghtly, fulfilling and somewhat hectic. It has occurred in places other than Fairview community centre, has made money for various causes and has lost to freeloaders. It has always fallen together despite my involvement with it, but is now in danger of falling apart. It has always worked because someone has taken the responsibility for co-ordinating each event. Co-ordination requires a group of cooks to decide who is cooking what, musicians to volunteer to "sing for their supper", helpers to lay tables and clean up, booking of the hall, paying for it, collecting the keys, and locking up at the end of an evening. Cooking can take place at home or at the centre. Veggie Dining has a kitty to pay for food and equipment and various expenses as required (e.g. taxis, booking, candles etc.) Fairview is usually opened at 6.00pm, the food is prepared, tables are set up, indulgence takes place. Letting is only supposed to run till 10pm but there is always loads of cleaning to do, sweeping the floor, washing up, cleaning the top of the cooker. Then the hall is closed and the keys returnee to their guardian. Tea towels are taken home and washed and someone looks after the knife cos we don't want it nicked. Nothing to it really. The pots, pans, cutlery, durable food etc. are stored at Fairview. Any group can take it on. There is no shortage of consumers but there are relatively few cooks who are prepared to commit themselves to a dish regularly. Therefore there will soon be a rota-list held at Acorn to display the status of any future veggie dining, if you want to co-ordinate, claim a date on the rota, leave your name and contact index, contact cooks, have a meeting or both. Book the hall and let it happen. Veggie dining is an open collective community resource to be used by whoever can do whatever. Do it. Tickets are sold by Acorn where there is a blue book in which financial comings and goings are recorded. No-one I know of takes money out for their own gratification and no-one keeps accounts. Those who do the stuff get free food, those who don't have to pay. Seems fair but none the less it can be hard work and a long day. Maybe some sort of workers' co-op, hic! The next veggie dining will be on the 8th Feb, a "Box Office Event". See elsewhere in Rag. If you would like to do a subsequent one and want more details, phone Mike (588459) or Gill at Fairview (576598). There will definitely be a veggie dining on Saturday 9th Feb at the Central club. No tickets but what could be Fast Food from a counter: proceeds to go to the Free Festival Fund. Restretion, amongst others, will be drawing the crowd, and help with the food is welcome. We aim to feed up to 350 bods, for about four hours in the evening. There is an excellent kitchen and large, food bar. Phone 58845. Mike - - - EVENTS Key: S.H.P. = South Hill Park (Bracknell) P.P.U. = Peace Pledge Union B.A.N.C. = Berks Anti Nuclear Campaign mon 4th feb South Reading Leisure Centre opens for public use. Pool, Sports Hall, Squash, lots of courses. Tel 864910 for full details. Museum: Exhibition of photographs of Reading by Jim Harold and Geoff Weston. Adm. free, 10-5.30 weekdays, 10-5 Saturdays, Blagrave St. (till 16th) SHP: Landmarks - an exhibition of photographs by Paul Hill. For details ring 0344 427272. Hexagon: Group Six Photography - contrasts work of 3 photographers with individual styles. (till 17th) tues 5th Reading Waterways Group: 6.30 Civic Offices. Vegan Talk: "The Vegan way of life". By Laurence Main (sec. of Vegan Soc.) At St. Mary's Centre, Chain St. 7.30 prompt. wed 6th PPU meeting at Val and Derick's, 44 Gosport Rd., Caversham at 8pm. thurs 7th Anarchistic Video Show: "Stop The City" and "Call it Sleep", at The Crown, Crown St. Free! Policy Committee: 5.30pm Civic Offices. Reading and District Philately Society: Auction at Southcote Hall, Southcote Library, Southcote Lane, at 7.15 for 7.45. Reading Shelter Group: AGM at the RCU for 8pm. Transcendental Meditation - free introductory talk at 8pm, Civic Offices. For enquiries tel. 67236. fri 8th / sat 9th One has to think of something to do oneself! ... and keep it up! sun 10th Reading Cycle Campaign: leisure ride to Cockpole Green - meet 10.30 at Caversham Bridge with the Cyclist Touring Club. (25m.) Maypole Festival: Planning meeting, 24 Norwood Road 3pm. See article in this issue. Phone 66668 for details. Reading Recreation: Taster Courses for working with children. Drama for kids or Printing and Painting in the morning. Lunchtime video. Silly sports or Skills and Craft. Takeaway in the afternoon. At the Community Centre, Northumberland Avenue, Whitley. Lunch £1.50, creche and courses free. Contact Civic Offices for application form. mon 11th Reading Cycle Campaign: Business meeting, 8pm at UB Cycles. SERTUC Day of Action. Miners Picket - at Didcot - coach is to be arranged. Leave Reading 6am; return for work 9am. Ring TGWU office, 590311, daytime, for details. tues 12th BANC: Open Meeting at the RCU, 8pm. Speaker: Dan Smith (international researcher into war and weapons). Talks about Trident. Women's Writing Group - Open Meeting - Women's Centre, 7.30pm. All interested women welcome. Public lecture: "How to live with Earthquakes" Dr. R.D. Adams, G.10 Palmer Building, Whiteknights, 8pm. Youth Training Scheme Exhibition: Local YTS will be represented and current YTS trainees will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the wide range of training available through the scheme. This event will be of particular interest to 1985 school leavers and their parents. Reading Old Town Hall, Blagrave St., Reading. 10.30am-5.00pm and 7.00pm-9.00pm. Admission free. wed 13th Reading Tree Club: "Nurseries in the Nineties", a discussion meeting with introduction by R.H. Coates (manager, Wisley Plant Centre) LT4, Old Library Building, University of Reading, London Road, at 7.30pm. For details contact Catherine Olver, tel. Rdg 874347. AUEW Hall, Oxford Rd, Reading. 7.30pm. British Soviet Friendship Society (Reading branch) - discussion on Peace with speaker Cynthia Roberts. All friends, supporters, non-members welcome. thurs 14th Reading and District Beekeepers Association: "A Woman's Role in Beekeeping" by Mrs. Oonagh Gabriel, St. Andrews Church Hall, London Road, Reading at 7.30pm. Red Rag Editorial Meeting: Come and sort out what's going in the next ish. Phone Sue (no. on over) for details. fri 15th Planning Committee: 2.30pm Civic Offices. Red Rag headlines, typing, etc. Phone Sue (as above). Reading and District Philately Society: "Montserrat" by A. Member, Southcote Hall, Southcote Library, Southcote Lane, at 7.15 for 7.45. sat 16th Red Rag paste-up typing etc. (Phone Sue as for Thurs.) Reading Astronomical Society: "Amateur Solar Astronomy" by guest speaker Mr. Ken Medway (former director, Solar Section B.A.A.) St. Peter's Church Hall, Church Rd, Earley at 7/00pm. Secretary Mrs. M. Wrigley, tel Rdng 62180. Reading Flea Market: All Saints Church Hall, Downshires Square (off Bath Road). 10.30-4.30, admission 10p, enquiries tel Rdng 479852. Leukaemia Research Sponsored Swim: Central Swimming Pool, Battle St., Reading. 6.30-9.30pm. The Historical Association (Reading branch): A talk by Dr. P. Preston. Bulmershe College, Woodlands Avenue, Earley, at 7.30pm. sun 17th Red Rag - Folding, Distribution. (As above!) Reading Recreation: Taster Courses for working with children. Working with girls, video and discussion or New Games in the morning. Lunchtime video. Junk Music and games from other countries or Scrapwork - making things with junk in the afternoon. At the Community Centre, Northumberland Avenue, Whitley. Lunch £1.50, creche and courses free. Contact Civic Offices for application forms. Cyclist's Touring Club: Ride to Central London with Peter Flinch (30m). Car assisted start. Meet at 8.45am at Reading Station. - - - REGULAR EVENTS Box office community arts workshop: Mon-Fri at the RCU, Jo & Dave can be contacted at 596639 or occasionally on 666681. Tai Chi Classes: Every Wed. at R.U. Students Union in the Main Hall. 16/1-20/3. 12-lpm Long form (intermediates) and 1-2.30pm Short form & General practice (everyone). Contact Nick Booth on 873672 or 875123 ex 6221. Vegans: meet 1st. Sun of month at 1 Orrin Close, Tilehurst. Contact Liz & Steve on 21651. Greenham Support Group (Women): meets fortnightly. Nightwatch every Thurs. Contact via Womens Centre, Abbey St. Reading Recreation Arts Centres: painting for pleasure at Town Hall, Blagrave St. Mon 7-9 Tues 10-12. Details 55911 or 861289. National Council for Civil Lib: meets 2nd Mon of month at St Marys Centre Chain St. Ring Paul 861582. Peace Pledge Union (PPU): meets monthly. Pacifist group. Contact 588459, 374532 or Box 10 Acorn. Traditional Festival Dance: Every Wednesday, at the Friends Meeting Hse, 6 Church St. From 7.45-10. Adm 75p. Ring Anna on 864665 for details. Dance: Penny Bodman welcomes all women who want to improve their self awareness and confidence. Every Wednesday at 8pm at the Womens Centre. Reading Gay Switchboard: Tues & Fri 8-lOpm 597269. Carpentry: Learn to use woodworking tools and chose your own project. Mon. l-3pm at the Wilson Centre. Wilson Rd. Sahaja Yoga Meetings: Every Fri. At 7.30pm approx. At St. Davids Hall 26, London Rd. Rm. 3. All welcome, no charge (we apologise to all those who turned up before to find no meeting but they will definitely start from the l8th/l/85.) Reading Cycle Campaign: meets 2nd Mon of month at UB Cycles London St 8pm. Membership enquiries ring Chris Mayers 589178. General enquiries John Nixon 483183 or John Rigby 64667. Reading Shelter Group: meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Centre for the Unimpressed, South St. 8.00pm Start. Details Mark Goldup 863153. Women's Centre: open Tues 10-2 Wed 10-2 Sat 11-3. All women & kids welcome. Free pregnancy testing Tues 7-9. Bring urine sample from 1st Pee of the day. At the basement, Old Shire Hall, Abbey St. Beside Abbey Gateway. Reading Organisation for Animal Rights (ROAR): 1st Tues of month at the Crown, Crown St. Details from Dave 54098 or Jeff 476529. Socialist Workers Party: meets every Wed at the Red Lion Southampton St. 8pm. Reading Birth Centre: meets 3rd Tues of month for food and chat Ring 61330 for venue. Silkscreen Workshops: at Community House, 117 Cumberland Rd. Details from Clive 662302. Drinking or Gambling Problem? Feel you cannot talk? Alone & lonely? Then you may want to talk to Michael at RCU, who will be pleased to talk in strictest confidence. Every Tues 2-4pm. - - - SHELTER National Campaign for the Homeless Shelter, nationally, was founded in 1967, as a response to the then growing problem of homelessness. Shelter has always used the term "homelessness" in the widest possible sense i.e. the lack of a home. A "home" is a difficult concept to define, but it must include ideas of security, privacy, independence, and a degree of control over one's own environment, as well as a level of physical standards. In this way the homeless are not just those who sleep on the streets, but also those who live in hostels, guest houses, and run-down houses in multiple occupation. They must include those who are forced to share unwillingly, and those who are harassed by their landlords. It is for all these people that Shelter campaigns. The housing situation nationally is deteriorating rapidly. The Government is committed to putting all its resources into the expansion of owner-occupation. The substantial numbers of the population who cannot afford this form of housing are increasingly getting less and less. Public housing starts are at their lowest for 50 years. Swinging cuts in the amount that local authorities can spend on replenishing and repairing their stock ( 80% in the last 6 years) are out of proportion to other cuts and indicate a clear ideological contempt for the idea of public housing. Now the Government is saying that only 20% of the money raised by the sale of Council houses can be spent - the other 80% has to sit in the bank. There is still a long way to go, in changing public attitudes yet alone reversing government policy. There is still alot of ignorance about the enormity of actual government policies, and too much attention on the symptoms of homelessness rather than the causes. It is in this context that the Reading Shelter Group, which was formed 6 months ago, is seeking to work. The Group has a clear educational role, both for the general public and policy-makers unaware of the consequences of their decisions. It will also seek to put forward pragmatic solutions to some of the more immediate housing problems in the Borough. The following are some of the areas that the Group are involved in:- 1) The wide circulation of a petition calling for a re-start in the council housing building programme. This is designed as a consciousness-raising exercise. 2) The production of a detailed housing strategy statement, as an alternative to that of the Borough Council. This will hopefully include some practical suggestions, feasible even within the current financial climate. 3) A campaign to try and bring some of Reading's empty properties (Council and privately owned) back into use. 4) A campaign on the use of bed and breakfast accommodation under the Homeless Persons Act. A survey has already been completed, and now some follow-up work will need to be done. At the same time the Group will continue to take on the ongoing work of lobbying, pressurising etc to ensure that M.P.s and Councillors are continually brought face to face with the consequences of current and planned policies. To have any impact the Group is going to need a number of people willing to help in whatever way that they can. If the growing problem of homelessness concerns you at all then I would urge you to come along to the Shelter A.G.M. at 8pm at the Reading Centre for the Unemployed, East St. on Thursday February 7th. Mark Goldup. - - - Live at Reading's Old Town Hall in Blagrave Street HAWKWIND'S NIK TURNER + Inner City Unit The Magic Mushroom Band plus Disco, Lightshow & late bar. 7.45pm 'till late on Fri 15th Feb '85. No admission after 10.30pm Tickets (in advance) £3.00 (waged) £2.00 (unwaged) from: Acorn Bookshop - 17, Chatham St. Pop Records - Kings Road Music Market - "Smelly" Alley Tickets (on night) £3.25 (waged) £2.25 (unwaged) Proceeds will be for a holiday for profoundly handicapped adults - - - READING CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED 4-6 East Street Courses at R.C.U. Silkscreen Printing - Come and learn to colour print your own posters, cards and T-shirts in a friendly, informal atmosphere. Tuesday afternoons, 1-3pm. Women's Self Defence - For all women - no matter what age or level of fitness. Wednesdays, 10-12 noon Dance Fitness - For those who like the idea of expressing themselves in movement, and getting fit at the same time. Thursdays, 10-12 noon. Women's Confidence Building - Fridays, 1-3pm. Carpentry - Men and Women welcome. Fridays, Wilson Centre, Wilson Rd. 1-3pm. Coming Soon :- Cartooning, Living In A Multi-Racial Society, Running An Allotment, Alternative Medicine, Photography, Unemployment: Whose Problem?, Women's Performance Group, Writer's Workshop, Motorcycle Maintenance. No need to enrol - just come along. All our courses are free to those out of paid work, and there is a free Creche available. It's your centre - use it! Tel. 596639 Women's activities .. create your own job .. welfare rights .. free childcare facilities .. resource centre .. education .. snack bar - - - COURSES AT THE CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED All courses are free to the unemployed. No enrolment, just turn up. Free creche available. Writers Workshop: Every Thursday l-3pm. l0 sessions. Women's Discussion Group: 10.30 am every Wednesday in Room 1. Dance Fitness: Learn basic routines, and develop your creativity and fitness. Men & Women welcome. Thurs. 10-12noon Skills for Co-ops: A 10 week course starting in the beginning of Feb. Market research, Raising finance, & Financial records and control. Contact Maureen Cotter on 596639. Women's Confidence Building: Gain confidence in your own abilities working in a supportive group. Friday 1-3pm. Women's Self Defence: Learn to value and defend yourself in the supportive group. Wed 10am - 12 noon. Silkscreen: Come and print your own posters, cards, etc. Tuesday 1-3pm. Also, coming shortly: Improve your English / Improve your Maths, Alternative Medicine, Basic Photography, Living in a multi-racial Society, Running an allotment (end of February), Unemployment: Whose problem?, Womens Performance Group, (Sats. March), Motorcycle Maintenance, Operating a small offset-litho printing press, Clothes-making, Cartooning, Outing planned to Nature Reserves (March). - - - RESTRICTION & Sounds by Enterprise and 2 Bad Crew Late Bar and Food Central Club, London Street Sat Feb. 9th, 8pm - 2am £3 on door. - - - 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. - - - MONEY It has been fairly healthy recently, but it is rapidly getting less so. A donation of 10p per copy would be sufficient to cover printing costs. But as we don't believe in miracles, we'll just ask you to fill out the standing order form in this issue. Surely you can afford £1 per month? And don't forget the collecting boxes in the outlets? - - - LETTERS Dear Red Rag, There is in this area a group of people calling themselves the 'Anti-CND'. Their sole achievement to date, to my knowledge, has been to rob, threaten and now make homeless a bus dweller at Burghfield. (His bus has been burnt out, on the day threatened.) The typed communication sent to him previously was not very coherent, but vicious. His friends, understandably, are very angry. Just so's you know. A.L. Dear Red Rag, Writing Women (and would-be writing women). If you think you'd be interested in joining the Reading women's writing group, come along to our next Open meeting At the Women's Centre, Abbey St., 7.30pm. Tuesday 12 February. We meet weekly, to share our writing, give each other help and incentive, and discuss whatever seems important. If you like, phone Elizabeth (507065) or Sue (473296) first. Elizabeth James Dear Red Rag, We were frankly astonished to read of a Vegan Ramble in last weeks Red Rag. Unfortunately the item didn't explain properly what it was that made it a Vegan Ramble. Do they check your sandwich box for salami sarnies first or do they insist that you ramble in animal product free footwear (plastic boots)? We are, to put it mildly, intrigued. Yours sincerely, Grub Lust & Gilbert White - - - JOB ADS Playworkers for Easter Playschemes Reading Borough Council needs enthusiastic, reliable creative and caring people - preferably with some experience of working with children aged 5 to 11 or young people. Playscheme dates: April 9-12 Playtraining weekend: March 30 - 31 Working hours: 7 1/2 per day Pay: basic rate of £2.05 per hour For further details and application forms please contact Michael Champion on 55911, ext. 2069. Closing date: Friday Feb 15. Assistant Activities Officer Reading Borough Council requires immediately a person to assist in the running of holiday playschemes. This post is only temporary and will be 24 hours per week. Pay per hour is £3.06. This person will be required to undertake the ordering of equipment, store management, distribution of playstore equipment. Administrative experience, some knowledge of children's play and ability to drive will be advantageous. For more details contact Michael Champion 55911 ext. 2069 immediately. This post must be filled before Feb 8. Employment Vacancies: World Education Berkshire (Haymill Centre, Burnham Lane, Slough, SL1 6LZ. Burnham 67401) have two part time posts on the W.E.B Bus Project, which is a MSC Community Programme Scheme concerned with the promotion of development education, and as such is subject to the eligibility conditions of this scheme. Fieldworker 22Hrs (3 days per week) @ £52.80 Preferably with some teaching experience, but not essential. To work as a team member for a mobile development education centre (a converted double-decker bus). Both posts require well motivated people with a flexible attitude to both life & work, and an awareness of global issues. Please contact Martin Mikhail at the above address for an informal chat. W.E.B say that they will have about 20 vacancies this June, some of which will be full time. Unemployed Tutors wanted for Photography (basic) and Home Maintenance. - - - ACORN Update - (No more Rumours!) If you have been finding lately that there are more workers than customers in Acorn, that's because there are! (Well most of the time). We are currently 5 (Ian, Liz, Maggie, Mark & Vessa) but this is not a permanent situation. What's happening is: both Ian & Liz are leaving, in the next few months, to do other things. The large workforce is because we need to overlap for a while so all the necessary info and skills can be passed on to the new collective of 3. It's not a sign of prosperity, incidentally. We need your support for the whole thing to work. We are now a co-operative on paper as well as in spirit, so that makes 2 trading retail co-ops in Reading, along with UB Cycles. Acorn Bookshop, your community bookshop 17 Chatham Street, (under the car park) Reading. Telephone: Rdg 584425. - - - PRESS RELEASE Rush Job Promotions Present... Nik Turner (from Hawkwind), Inner City Unit and Magic Mushroom Band. Hawkwind and space rock fans will be pleased to know that Nik Turner, currently on tour with Hawkwind, and his band, Inner City Unit, will be playing at Reading Town Hall on Friday, 15th February, 1985, 8.00p.m. till late. There will be a late bar at non-extortionate prices, a light show, plus El Groova Disco!!! See ad. elsewhere in this issue for ticket prices and availability. Profits from this gig will go towards the cost of a holiday for profoundly, mentally and physically handicapped adults, attending Reading Adult Training Centre, many of whom live in our local community. An amazing audio-visual experience guaranteed for all. See ya there folks! OXO Alan Rush and Paul Job - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1985/1985-02-03.txt#4 $