RED                                                               FREE
A
G

Reading's Homely Newspaper
Fortnightly, free
June 9-23 1985

Next issue:

Copy date: Thurs June 20
Co-ordinator: Jackie via 595605
Going out: Mark 782178
Distribution: Guy 669562
Events: Sue 665806

Red Rag has been produced since 1979 by a nebulous collective. 1600
copies are printed of each issue. Politically non-aligned (but much
maligned) it depends on its readers for money and articles. Send yours
to: Red Rag, Box 79, 17 Chatham Street, Reading.

This issue of Red Rag will be available on cassette for people with
sight problems. Phone 666681.

                                - - -

BOYCOTT THE TUDOR

On Monday May, 27th six wimmin walked out of Reading's only 'gay' pub
- The Tudor Arms in Greyfriars Road. We had been told by the landlord
that if we didn't like his littering the tables with pornographic
beermats, then we were not to bother drinking in his pub. We don't and
we won't be.

For several weeks we have been destroying these beermats and a lot of
people (male & female) have pointed out how offensive they found them
to the landlord. (They advertise a calendar of "french chambermaids"
in "sexy" uniforms). On the 27th 2 wimmin had torn up the 2 mats on
the table and filled the ashtray with the pieces as usual. Only this
time we must have over-stepped the mark as the landlord proceeded to
verbally attack us, refusing to allow argument by raising his voice so
the whole pub was forced to listen to him. We left after one woman had
finally managed to point out the disgust that we and others felt. In
the last week two men have also complained and been shouted at before
walking out. In this last incident the landlord claimed that the Tudor
is not a 'gay' pub, but one where anyone is welcome (unless you
complain, argue, laugh loudly and appear to enjoy yourself, are a
skinhead or a "dirty" greenham woman - people have been banned for all
these reasons)!

It appears to us that we should not have to put up with a blatantly
homophobic, racist, misogynist landlord at all, let alone any
longer. Reading, like the rest of Britain, does have pubs that are
desperate for new customers. Unfortunately most of these look as
shabby as the Tudor and are as badly positioned (no car park, away
from the town centre etc). However pub crawls are under way in search
of a real 'gay' pub. If you have been offended enough by this guy and
his attitudes, boycott the Tudor! After all it cannot compete well in
its present state with the other 'straight' pubs. Any welcoming pubs
will/can be reported to Gay Switchboard.

2 visible lesbians

                                - - -

STONEHENGE - DON'T GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

For many the "Battle of Stonehenge" was begun long ago. It is not so
much a fight to retain the solstice celebration but a significant
struggle for the right of freedom to assemble. To assemble without the
restrictions of established authority and conventional organization.
For the hardcore festival lifestyler it is a fight to live on the road
without constant harassment.

The festival road crew, particularly the Peace Convoy, have been
subjected to the type of police aggression seen in Wiltshire over the
last week for a number of years. Large scale evictions over the
non-festival months have been common-place. That from the Fargo
plantation near Stonehenge last year was typical involving large
numbers of riot police, armed officers and even a helicopter to escort
evicted vehicles out of the county. A Convoy member described to me
last summer how a detective at Fargo had pointed a pistol at his head
and expressed just now much he would have liked to have been able to
pull the trigger...

In August last year, at Nostell Priory in Yorkshire, hardline eviction
tactics were perhaps first used on a festival site. The event came at
the height of the Miner's strike in an area with large nunbers of the
police force on call for instant deployment. 500 officers entered the
walled grounds with 300 riot police in reserve. 200 travellers and
members of the Convoy had remained on the site for an extra two days
with our own vehicle among the 50 or so dotting the field.

The first contact of the police with outlying vehicles were enough to
convince everyone safety lay in numbers. Caravans were rocked on their
axles, glass exploded on coach windows and struggling occupants were
beaten to the ground in a flurry of truncheons.

The remainder gathered at the Convoy marquee in the centre of the
field and I rushed over to begin snapping away with a telephoto lens
on my camera. I had shots of a pregnant woman being dragged away while
her husband was savaged by a dog and beaten. I had pictures of a truck
attempting to leave the field while two riot vans hurtled over tents
and benders to ram it to a halt. A pity I have them no more. At the
first opportunity my camera was taken by a sergeant and two constables
and, in my presence, the film very unceremoniously removed.

We were herded with little resistance into waiting vans and taken to
the Bridewell in Leeds. So began long days of waiting with no access
to a phone or solicitor. We were crammed first 50 then 8 to a cell and
subjected to constant taunts from police on duty and later a hosing
down from fire appliances. Forty women, and children down to 18 months
old screamed and chanted from a cell down the corridor, we later
learned they had been refused the right to visit the toilet for 6
hours, by which time the sole policewoman on duty was reduced to
telling them to piss in their mouths. Male prisoners who enquired
about their wives and children were told that they would be released
that evening. "After we've finished shagging them" added a
constable. A near riot ensued from that comment with a cell door torn
from its hinges and used to ram the main holding-cell door almost to
breaking-point. Threats of tear-gas and clicks of riot sticks on the
wall calmed the fury, and food and water arrived quickly to quieten
the mob.

In the early hours of the next morning we were dispersed, in small
troups, to police stations through out the Leeds area. On the third
day in custody we were each asked to co-operate by being interviewed
by the Drug Squad. Still fuelled from a wonderful summer of roaring,
through the country's festivals in a converted coach I saw no reason
to present a false image to these experienced officers. Yes, I was a
dope-smoker and a muesli-eater and, no, the Convoy were not a bunch of
chain-saw wielding thugs or more particularly, a tight ring of
hardened heroin salesmen. After twenty minutes of convivial chat I was
told I could go. "Is there any charge on me?" I asked as I had been
held for so long. "Yes" they said, "we are about to give you one, for
possession of Cannabis." One was tempted to, and in fact did,
laugh. "It's not a laughable matter", said one D.C. as the air of
affability dissolved. "We both heard you state that you had smoked
constantly at Nostell Priory." "No," I corrected, "You only heard me
say I was a casual smoker." "Well," said the D.C., "there are two of
us present and unfortunately only you. You can fight us in court if
you want to."

And so I did, not bearing resentment for the other 60 charged on the
same tenuous grounds who pleaded guilty to the offence after being
placed on two weeks remand and paying perhaps the small price of
£25-35 for freedom.

My pleading not guilty has proved a little more expensive. Five visits
to Leeds courts and a limitation on my freedom of ludicrous bail
conditions: primarily £500 surety, a daily signing and a childish slap
on the wrist of having to reside with my parents. Now I am reduced, 10
months after the event, to residing at my accommodation in Reading and
signing weekly at the main police fortress.

I rapidly began to question the justification of such laughable
measures, considering that I had only one previous conviction for a
microscopic piece of hash way back in 1978.The more one analysed the
situation the more one had to arrive at the conclusion that the Convoy
had been singled out for unnecessary and unwarranted harassment.

Repeatedly in court the requests for bail swung around the question of
whether I was a member of the Convoy or not. It appeared from the
prosecuting solicitor that admitting one lived ones life on the road
with the festival crew was tantamount to admission of conspiracy or at
best, membership of a paramilitary group.

The reasons for the views of the judiciary, the police and many
sensible citizens on the Convoy and other festival groups is often
mystifying. One can only conclude that such narrow-minded notions
without the benefit of experience are derived from the popular press,
until recently the only source of misinformation about the festival
circuit. One must realise that papers such as the "Lies Of The World"
and "The Sin" have more far reaching effects than on their bigoted
readership. The front page headline in the "Mirror" during the Nostell
Priory festival read; "Armed Cult In Sex Terror." It went on to
describe the Convoy armed with chainsaws and shotguns, prostituting
their women in coach windows and forcing innocent Van Morrison fans to
buy heroin in their drugs supermarkets. It seemed significant that,
waile in custody we were questioned mainly about heroin, prostitution
and arms, and that, during the raid the three chain saws on site were
carried away from the debris immediately with great
importance. (Surprisingly a chain-saw also makes an excellent
wood-cutting implement, though perhaps the police had not advanced far
enough along the evolutionary scale to have discovered this remarkable
alternative tool strategy.)

Later in 1984 insignificant for some), other Convoy sanctuaries were
raided, Hay Bluff twice and later Molesworth. The scene for Stonehenge
was set and months ago it was obviously going to be, at best, a nasty
confrontation.

The constant insistence that the police are only protecting the
monument is a transparent excuse. The army, with its military
installations and tanks chewing the Sailsbury plain has done far more
damage to the outlying archaeological sites than the pad of 30,000
bare feet a year. The police are hiding behind the stately-homism
banner of the National Trust with their riot-sticks for more
deep-rooted motives. What seems odd is that there is very little
evidence of actual violence, confrontation and hard crime among the
festival groups. Other thugs in our country are condemned after the
event. The Convoy collect their crimes without trial, their
victimisation due only to the authorities supposition of what might
be. The governing bodies are terrified of freedom. Terrified that tens
of thousands of people can gather without the reins of power, that we
can organize ourselves. That there is a working alternative. Let us
hope that we are given the room to explore such alternatives in true
eccentricity. We can and must be responsible. Stonehenge and its
festival circuit is not only an excuse to indulge in exotic drug
cocktails or tear the forest apart for firewood, it is an excuse to
take charge of ourselves.

Ant

                                - - -

A (SHORT) GREEN COLUMN

Now that everything's growing, those of you who hadn't bothered with
gardening may be moved to start. Well, it's never the wrong time of
year, whatever the 'experts' say. If you make it known that you want
some plants, any gardener is currently throwing away tons of unwanted
seedlings and spare tomato plants and so on. Get in on it quick! Also
plant sales abound, if you don't mind spending a bit. At the moment
(thunderstorm raging as I write) there's enough rain to make it easy
for things to stay alive. But a word of warning before you start
digging. If the soil is heavy with rain, or alternatively very hard
once dried out, be gentle with yourselves. It's easy to feel a bit
silly digging at this time of year and rush at it, all tense while the
neighbours shake their heads in wonder. That's when you do your back
in. A general guide for any gardening is to bend over as little as
possible. It should very rarely be necessary. Instead bend at the
knees, with the knees wide open and squat, or kneel, or even sit. And
when digging, straighten up between each stroke. It feels so good
you'll wonder why you never did it before.

And that goes for gardening too!

Ladybird.

                                - - -

LETTERS

Bash The Rich - Henley Regatta July 6th

We've put the shits up the scumbags! Last month the first national
'Bash the Rich' march took place through the better-off parts of
Kensington (if you weren't there you would never have known - not one
of the national papers covered it, not even the ones who had so
forcefully warned that it was being planned).

So here's some details of the demo they are really keen for you not to
go on. Every July the idle rich flaunt their wealth and privilege on
the streets of Henley. This year it will be different because we will
be there. Even if we don't block the bridge or get into the champagne
enclosure, us just being there will piss them off no end. Just knowing
that we are in 'their' town will spoil their day.

Later it gets tougher for the cops when we appear in disguise - as the
hooray henries get pissed and start 'pranking up' the place the cops
will have to ask, "Excuse me sirs and madams, are you rich bastards
having a bit of boisterous fun or are you filthy anarchists wrecking
the place?"

Hertz van Rental


Dear Red Rag,

We like most of what you offer, and hope you will go on for a good
long time. However, if you find yourselves getting into a heavy and
meaningful relationship with the local constabulary, you will have
only yourselves to blame.

I refer of course to that drivel about 'sport' in Henley, a bout
'bashing the rich' and 'makeshift tools and weapons'. If people get
hurt, rich or poor, you'll have something to answer for.

Either some of you are more foolish than I thought possible, or you
are being used by the kind of people who plan football violence. It
has happened. National Front and their allies are fond of infiltrating
Anarchist groups etc. Anyone welcome, turn up if you feel like it,
right?

I don't know the score locally, and don't want to study anyone's boot
at close quarters, so I'm not signing this. Still, you can undo some
of the damage to your prospects, and perhaps reduce the risks of
bloodshed, in your next issue.

Just print this.


Dear Red Rag readers,

As a long-term resident of the Peace Camp at Upper Heyford (Kansas
City!) I should like to draw readers' attentions to the fact that the
camp is very much alive in spite of increasing harassment from some of
its closest neighbours, and the constant threat of eviction. Recently,
stones and bricks have been thrown and there are pellet marks on one
of the caravans to show that a gun has been used. Also there have been
verbal threats of arson. (Otherwise all is well with us in the camp.)
I recently went to see the Commander of the base to tell him of these
threats which I believe to have been made by U.S. serviceman, but he
refused to see me. I also reported the events to Bicester police so
that an official report could be made to the Commander.

Upper Heyford is arguably a greater threat to peace than Greenham or
Molesworth. F-IIIs armed with nuclear weapons are always at the ready,
and now new F-111s with radar jamming devices are in service there
making it possible to use the F-IIIs as First Strike weapons. There
are also plans to store Binary Wave gas at this base.

There are large numbers of American Personnel living there, insulated
to a large extent from the British community because they have their
own schools, shops, newspapers, even radio stations. But don't forget
what a threat they represent just because they are less visible than
their compatriots at Molesworth or Greenham.

We need your support, come and stay or visit, but we most urgently
need people to be here late on Friday and Saturday nights when the
pubs close. This is the time when we are most vulnerable to
arson. Come and sit with us round our fire, show your opposition to
this base and others of its kind,

Yours in Peace,

Stan.

P.S. we're keen to do the night watch on Friday nights. Anyone
interested in coming along with us? Reading women do a regular
nightwatch at Greenham on a rota basis, perhaps we (men and women)
could do something along similar lines at Upper Heyford. They also
need firewood desperately for cooking and anything else that is useful
for camp life.

Yours in Peace,

Dave and Derek.

Tel. Reading, 483416.

                                - - -

DISTRIBUTION

I am giving up distribution soon, so if there is anyone who wants to
take over, now is the time to step forward.

Basically 'distribution' means

- making sure the list of around 400 addresses is up-to-date (there
  are usually three or four changes each issue), and keeping an
  up-to-date list of outlets;

- photocopying the list onto labels at Acorn ready for each issue;

- finding new distributors when people retire or move away, or finding
  an emergency distributor when people are ill or on holiday.

You will need a telephone, and either a map or a comprehensive
knowledge of Reading's street plan.

love Guy (more info tel 669562)

                                - - -

GOING OUT

Going out goes on, taking you to places you wish you'd never been,
spicing up the bread and circuses and filling in those oh-so-tiresome
empty hours 'twixt evening fodder and innocent slumber...

Sunday June 9

Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, Singers Night, 8pm free.

Butler, Chatham St. - Jazz, Clem Adelman Duo, 8pm, free.

Caversham Park Village Social Club - The Eldonaires (jazz / punk),
9pm, 50p entry.

Prospect Park - Caribbean Music Festival, 2-7.30pm.

South Hill Park, Bracknell - "Repoman" (18) 7.45pm.


Monday June 10

Albion, Oxford Rd - Pete James Original Jubilee Band, free, 8pm.

University Students Union - jazz, free, 9pm-ish.

Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley - funk / soul, 8-12, free.

Silks, Bath Rd, Thatcham - Mamath, 8pm, £2 - tickets from Listen.

Bull, High St., Nettlebed - Folk Club, 8pm, free.

Angies, Cantley Hall, Milton Rd, Wokingham -

Forbury Gardens - Scottish dancing & pipe band, 7pm - dusk.

S.H.P. - "The Bostonians" (PG) 7.45pm.


Tuesday June 11

Paradise Club, London St. Reading - Free Festival Benefit - Kaya -
non-stop music, 9-late, £1/£1:50.

Real Time Video Course - D.I.Y. Going Out - at Centre for the Unwaged,
8pm.

S.H.P. - "The Bostonians" (PG) 7.45pm.


Wednesday June 12.

New Yorker, Queen's Walk - Jive Dive club.

European Folk Dancing - Friends Meeting Hse, 6 Church St. (off S'ton
St.). From 7.45. £1.

University Student Union - live band 1pm-2pm free.

Reading Film Theatre, Palmer Bdg, Univ. campus - "The Big Chill" (15)
8pm.

S.H.P. - "The Bostonians" (PG) 7.45pm.

Henley Youth Centre - Bad Influence, 8pm. 0491 574581.


Thursday 13 June

Boars Head, Friar St. - live band, free.

Univ. Students Union - jazz, 9-ish, free.

Sportsman, Shinfield - country + western, 8pm, free.

Stag + Hounds, Pinkeys Green, Maidenhead - folk with Jimmy Collins,
8.15pm, free.

Reading Film Theatre - "The Big Chill" (15) 8pm. UB40 ££.

Market Inn, Bracknell - Funktion at the Junktion, 8-12, £1/£1:50.

S.H.P. - "Junoon" (15) + "Positions of Power" - Indian mutiny, and
maternity service respectively. 7.45pm.

Paradise Club -


Friday 14 June

Folk - The Lamb, Eversley, 8pm, free.

Lord Raglan, Denmark St., Wokingham - New Orleans / Dixie Jazz, 8-ish,
free.

S.H.P. - Roots Dimension (Roots Rock Reggae), 8-12, £1/£1:50.

High Wycombe - Winston Reedy, Unity Hi-Power, Stereophonic, Soul to
Soul + Street Level.

Paradise - Johnny Thunder (solo) + Flayed Alive.

S.H.P. - "Electric Dreams" (PG) 7.45 & 11pm.

Reading Film Theatre - "Heller Wahn" (15) - M. von Trotta 8pm

Angies, Wokingham -


Saturday June 15

S.H.P. Folk - The Kipper Family, 8pm, £1.80.

Target - Reading - Larry Miller Band.

Paradise Club - Junior Creation Band - reggae, funk + soul. £3:50. 8pm
- 2am.

Angies, Wokingham -

Hexagon, Queens Walk - free music 12.15pm.

Calcot School, Curtis Walk - Summer Fete 2pm free.

Kidmore End Village Fair - K.E. School, 2pm.

Astronomy + Space Film - St. Peters Church Hal, Earley, 7pm. Rdg
Astronomical Society - 62180.

Folk Day Dance Watlingon House, W'ton. St. 7.30-10.30, tickets £1:25
from Rdg. 415578 (incl. supper).

Reading Hadyn Choir - Christ Church, 8pm: Rdg. 56873.

Reading Amateur Regatta - Thames Side Promenade, 10.30-7.30pm. Also
tomorrow.

S.H.P. - "Electric Dreams" (PG) 7.45 & 11pm.


Sunday June 16

Hexagon - Cool Notes, 8pm.

Butler, Chatham St - Jazz with Clem Adelman Duo, 8pm, free.

Caversham Park Village Social Club - The Eldonaires, 9pm.

New Games - Palmer Park, afternoon.

Angies, Wokingham -

Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, free. Singers night?

S.H.P. - "Electric Dreams" (PG) 7.45pm.

Reading Amateur Regatta - see 15th.


Monday June 17th

Paradise Club - UK Subs + Foreign Legion + Political Asylum + Anthem
for Doomed Youth. 8-2am.

Albion, Oxford Rd.- Pete James Original Jubilee Jazz Band, 8pm, free.

Univ. Students Union - jazz, 9-ish, free.

Thatchers Fairwater Drive, Woodley - funk / soul, 8-11, free.

Silks, Bath Rd., Thatcham - Glasgow, £2 - tickets from Listen.

Folk Club at the Bull, Nettlebed - 8pm, free.

S.H.P. - "Local Hero" (PG) + "Loose Connections" (PG) 7.15pm.

Forbury Gardens - Scottish Dancing, 7.00pm - dusk.


Tuesday June 18

Univ Students Union - Roots Dimention, King Sound Disco Diatribe, Lost
Weekend + lots more (?). 8-2am.

Siby Hall, Redhatch Drive, Earley - disco, 8-late, free.

Real Time Video @RCU - workshops 8pm.

Out of Town Club, Padworth - local bands.

Hexagon - Cannon + Ball, 6.30pm/9.30pm

S.H.P. - "Local Hero" (PG) + "Loose Connections" (PG) 7.15pm.


Wednesday June 19

Wessex Hall - Rubettes + Orchid Waltz, 7.30-late, £1.80/£2

European Folk Dancing - as 12th/

S.H.P. - Charity Country + Western concert for Babycare Unit @
Heatherwood Hospital: Tony Collins, Bakersfield, Pedro, +
support. 8-11pm, £3.

R.F.T. - "Der Letzte Mann" (U) + "Sunrise" (PG) - 1920s films by
Murnau. 7.30pm.

Jive Dive Club at the New Yorker, Queen's Walk.

S.H.P. - "Local Hero" (PG) + "Loose Connections" (PG) 7.15pm.


Thursday June 20

Paradise Club -

Reading Film Theatre - "El Norte" (15) 8pm. UB40 concessions.

Boars Head, Friar St - live band, free.

Sportsman, Shinfield Rd - country + western, 8pm, free.

Univ. Students Union - jazz, 9-ish, free.

Stag + Hounds, Pinkeys Green, Maidenhead - folk: singers night, 8pm.

Angies, Wokingham -

Market Inn, Bracknell - Blue Heaven, 8pm, free.

S.H.P. - Undercover Club, 8-12: live music.

S.H.P. - "Local Hero" (PG) + "Loose Connections" (PG) 7.45.

Hexagon - free music, 12.15pm.

Hexagon - Eddie Condon's Band, 8pm - Dixie Jazz.

Civic Society - boat trips from County Lock w/ John Punter - 7.30 +
8.30, £1:50, kids 75p,


Friday June 21

Paradise Club - Skeletal Family + support.

Folk at the Lamb, Eversley - 8pm, free.

Lord Raglan, Denmark St. Wokingham - see 14th.

Macrobiotic meeting + meal - 100 Northumberland Avenue - 7pm. Phone
Wendy on 860813 in advance.

Angies, Wokingham -

SHP - Lost Weekend + Clayson and the Argonauts, 8-12, £2/1.

Hexagon - Radio 210 Midsummer Party, 8.30pm.

S.H.P. "Blood Simple" (18) 7.45 + 11pm. "Stylish" thriller.


Saturday June 22 (Mum's birthday)

Paradise - The Inner Force + King Dick Sound (Reggae) - 8pm-2am,
£3/£3.50 on door.

S.H.P. folk - Jim Conza, 8pm, £1.80.

Univ. Students Union - folk dance day 10.30-7: lessons (all levels) +
demos of Clog, Morris, Scottish, etc. Free!

Univ. Students Union - folk dance w. Chronicle (band not scandal rag)
+ dance group . 7.30-12.

Angies, Wokingham -

Hexagon - Richard Cox-Smith, "Guitar Wizzard", 12.15 free.

S.H.P. "Blood Simple" (18) 7.45 + 11pm.

Hexagon - Reading + London Bach Choirs, 7.30pm.

Englefield House, Theale - Pheonix Choir - 7pm, tickets £4 from
Burghfield Common 4354. Charity concert.


Sunday June 23

Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, Keepers Gate, £1.

Butler, Chatham St - jazz: Clem Adelman Duo, 8pm, free.

Cav. Park Village Social Club - Eldonaires as usual.

Angies, Wokingham -

S.H.P. "Blood Simple" (18) 7.45pm.

Water Carnival - Thames Side Promenade, 10.30-6pm: £1. All for
charity.

Family picnic - Child Beale Trust, Pangbourne - Rdg Young
Ornithologists CLub. Tel. Burghfield Common 2894.


Monday June 24

Usual freebies at the Albion, Thatchers, Univ. Students Union, Bull at
Nettlebed. "Le Bal" (PG) @SHP 7.45pm.


Tuesday June 25

Out of Town Club, Padworth - Roots Dimension / King Sound Disco /
A Nation Mourns. 8-late.

Paradise - Attila the Stockbroker, Tymon Dogg + support + veggie food
by High Thyme Wholefoods. 9-late, £3/2.


100% Synthetic Detachable Theatre Guide

Woodley Light Operatic Society - "H.M.S. Pinaphore", at Kenton
Theatre, Henley. 7.45pm. £3:25 tickets - phone 691003. From June
11-16.

Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane (next to Shire Hall) - "Old Tyme
Variety", 7.45pm. £2:50. Phone 587696. From June 13-15.

The Mill at Sonning - "One for the Road" (Willy Russel). Phone
698000. from June 18 - July 13.

Progress Theatre, The Mount, Christchurch Rd - "Groping for Words"
(Sue Townsend), 7.45pm. Phone 874230. From June 27 - July 6m replacing
advertised programme.

South Hill Park Studio Theatre - "Blood + Nuts", 7.45p. Phone 0344
427872. Tickets £2/£1.50. From June 13-15.

Hexagon - "Fighting Chance" (N.J. Crisp) Nightly @8pm. Plus 2.30
mat. (26th) + 5pm mat (15th). Ticket details 591591. From June 10-15.


Key:

Hex - Hexagon Theatre, Queens Walk, Reading: 591591
S.H.P. - South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell: 0344 484123
R.F.T. - Reading Film Theatre, Palmer Building Univ. campus
Paradise Club, 112 London St. - 576847.
Univ Students Union - you don't need a Union card...
Angies Rock Club, Cantley House Hotel, Milton Rd, Wokingham - (0734)
  788912. 10pm last entry. Members + guests only.


Festivals: (info from Windsor Free Press Guide)

Stonehenge: still on, all of June.
June 10-15: Boscombe Down Peace Camp - support carnival. Nr Amesbury,
            Wiltshire .
June 14-16: Psychics Festival, Granes Farm Rd, Basildon, Essex.
June 15/16: Festival of Understanding + Peace, Leamington Spa. Phone
            Janet 0926 27773.
June 21/22/23: Glastonbury CND (tickets still @ Acorn?) - phone 01-250
            4010 / read music papers.
June 22-25: International Folklore Festival, Folkstone.
June 23:    S.E. London Green Fair, Fordham Park, New Cross:
            free. 01-318 6628.


Quick Blurb

Anyone who wants free(!)  publicity in the Going Out Guide please drop
off details of your event(s) at Acorn, or phone me on 782178, before
10.30pm please!

Love + kisses,

Mark.

                                - - -

SQUATTING: QUICK, LEGAL AND FREE

Unemployed? If you're under 26 & in Bed & Breakfast or lodgings, the
DHSS will cut your benefit to a much lower rate - between £17.30 &
£25.75 a week. Can you carry on paying for your lodgings or B&B? Why
beg, steal or borrow, or take money out of any savings, just to pay
some landlord?

It's often hard to rent a place 'cos landlords don't want unwaged
people; Council waiting lists are a joke, so why not squat???

No matter what they tell you, squatting is still legal.

Don't take any more crap from the DHSS, or your ripoff landlord; you
don't need them messing up your life.

When you move into a place, there are a few legal hitches, by which
you can be forced to leave very quickly: take care, and they won't be
able to take advantage of these provisions.

The Police (who are doing a wonderful job...), can arrest you without
a warrant for these offences: (they can also enter a building if they
suspect someone in it of committing one of these):-

1. Criminal Damage - includes breaking locks, windows etc. So break as
little as possible, & repair damage quickly.
2. Possession of illegal substances, & offensive weapons.
3. Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Under the 1977 Criminal Law Act, "displaced residential occupiers" are
allowed to evict squatters, & can use violence to do it. So pick a
building which is not occupied as a home already: an office or shop, a
house with no furniture in it, it helps if you know the area. ... .

"Protected Intending Occupiers" can also get you out without full
eviction proceedings: these are people who can prove they have bought
or leased the house, or have been allocated it by the Council. Ask
them for a certificate to prove who they are, & sit tight.

Section 6 Criminal Law Act 1977 makes it an offence for anyone
(e.g. Police, landlord, landlord's heavies) to use or threaten to use
violence to enter your place, if there's anyone inside who objects to
this, & if the Police know there's someone who objects. So:-

1. Change all door locks, secure all windows, skylights.
2. Put "legal notices", like the one on this sheet, on all entrances.
3. Always have at least one person in the building all the time. The
more the merrier!

Eviction

If you haven't been arrested or thrown out for the things listed
above, then the houseowner needs a court order to get you out. The
procedure is virtually idiot proof, so once it starts, it's only a
matter of time before you'll be forced to get out.

The owner/owner's agent may call on you to give notice that you're in
the building illegally, & you must now leave.

In any case, you'll get a summons to appear in court. It's up to you
whether you fight the case or not, but perhaps your time & energy
would be better used on finding another place to go. There isn't much
hope of defeating the eviction.

The bailiffs will come around to chuck you out: phone them to find out
when they are coming.

Even so, you'll probably be forced to move on less often than you
would under the new B&B rules, which give under 26's only 4 weeks
money. Also you only need move down the road!

Home D.I.Y.

Gas & Electricity

Are You Connected? Test power mains with a mains tester. Also, see if
the road outside has been dug up. Reconnection is expensive, so make
this something to look out for when choosing a place. Go to the local
gas & electricity showrooms as soon as possible, and ask for a
supply. tell them it's their duty to give you a supply. It may be
easier if someone who already has paid a bill or account does
this. They may want a deposit - but it shouldn't be very much.

What you could do is to run a supply of electricity in from next door,
if they are friendly. You must be seen to be prepared to pay for what
you use, or you could be guilty of theft. See squatters handbook for
more practical details.

Advisory Service For Squatters: 2 St. Pauls Rd. London Nl 01-359
8814. Publish the Squatters Handbook.

Dealing with the Coppers

You do not have to say or sign anything at any time. You aren't
committing an offence if you refuse to give your name & address.

Ask for their warrant card: take their numbers.

Section 62 Criminal Law Act allows you to phone friends, a solicitor
or anyone else to let them know you've been arrested.

Ask to be either charged or released.

Don't sign or plead guilt to anything without your solicitor present.


Licences

If the owner/owner's agent says something like "O.K. you can stay
until I need the house", you have a licence & are no longer "just a
squatter". Get it in writing if you can; this gives you a legal right
to stay, which can only be ended at "reasonable notice", usually
several weeks.

Social Security

In a squat you're entitled to £28.05 a week plus a single payment for
a sleeping bag, or a 2nd hand bed. Use the squat as your home address
of course, as it is your home!

This is more than under 26's in B&B would get from the DHSS, plus you
have no landlord to hassle you.

Legal Advice

is free to supplementary benefit claimants, through the Legal Aid /
Green Form scheme. Housing Aid will have a list of solicitors who
operate this scheme.

More advice on rights & benefits from:
No.5 Counselling Service, Reading  585858
No.17       ,, ,, Bracknell        484513
Space Counselling Service Slough   75432
Projest Contact,Reading            588159
Reading Housing Aid                55911 ex 2214/2197
Wokingham Housing Aid              782920 ex 264
Newbury Housing Aid                45205/43719
Reading Centre for the Unwaged     596639
Bracknell ,,                       53421/54260
Slough    ,,                       77621/820042
Citizens Advice Bureau


Cut Out and Keep Legal Notice

Legal Notice (Section 6 Criminal Law Act 1977)

Take Notice

  That we live in this house, it is our home and we intend to stay
  here

  That at all times there is at least one person in this house

  That any entry into this house without our permission is a criminal
  offence as any one of us who is in physical occupation is opposed to
  any entry without their permission

  That if you attempt to enter by violence or by threatening violence
  we will prosecute you. You may receive a sentence of up to six
  months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £1,000

  That if you want to get us out you will have to take out a summons
  for possession in the county court or in the High Court

                                - - -

A WOMEN'S CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING GROUP has just begun to meet on
alternate Wednesdays (at the moment). The next meeting is on June
26th, 8pm at the Women's Centre, Abbey St. We chose a theme of "the
media" for this meeting, so you could bring along copies of whatever
you read during the week. However the aim of the group is to give
women space to talk, so you can talk about anything not just the
media. All women welcome.

                                - - -

Local story of the week: hoardings for the Evening Post all over
Reading: READING BEE SWARM HORROR. For those of you who missed it,
this referred to the sensational appearance in Tilehurst of (gasp!) a
swarm of bees. (As the article pointed out, swarms of bees are
perfectly harmless.)

                                - - -

DOING IT ON THE FRINGE

... an underview of the Fringe

Okay: it's over. Fringe 85 is finished, past history - and not a
moment too soon, either. So what was it all about?

Hassle, sure. Long nights and longer days. Short money, short time,
shorter tempers. Frayed nerves and flayed emotions, fears and
tears. All of those, seen from underneath. Disappointments: drop-outs
and also-rans and never-starteds. Great ideas that somehow never
happened.

Good things too. The parade, with the Pandemoniums fighting to be
heard over Survivors and the University dragon trying to dance to
both, the bemused delight of shoppers, Mark S in drag dishing out
programmes on the run. Thin Line and Second Emotion playing their
heads off to a handful and giving the whole £17 door take for mentally
handicapped kids' music. Mike of Readifolk and Alan of the Vegans
working like stink to make their events packed-out successes. Talmage
actually getting their act together on the street - the only ones who
really did, even if they got rained off. Paul's photographs. Daphne's
poems and pictures, Chris L's holograms, Newtown's May Fayre,
needlework and displays from RCU in Building Society windows. Noni's
beautiful photographs, even just for a day and a half. Alan J printing
posters and giving quiet support to our ragged edges, Naptali on the
worst day of all keeping us apart and holding us together and saying
"Love, man: it's all about love." Thanks, everyone.

Success? Failure? Neither and both - who cares? Fringe 85 was a real
event - not intellectual speculation or a manifesto on Art and The
People. It actually happened.

Why? Darryl, Paul and Wayne, that's why: three kids from Tilehurst who
saw an empty panel of plywood, a shopping trolley full of paint and
brushes and aerosol tins and overalls in Queens Walk late on a
Saturday afternoon just as we were about to pack up and said 'Can we
paint one?' - and did, in three hours flat, finished and signed and
all theirs, every bit. Three kids who took what was there for them to
use and used it to give all of us their vision of football, a vision
that's nothing to do with what happened eleven nights later in
Brussels.

That's why: that's community arts. That's what the Fringe was for;
that's why we did it and what we're about, not just for a fortnight in
May but for the other fifty weeks of the year too.

Fringe 86? We'll burn that bridge when we come to it.

Dave and Jo
Box Office

                                - - -

THE CRACK

At the Paradise, London St, Reading.

Veggie food, available from High Tyme Wholefoods. Don't miss it!

Tuesday 25 June 9-late

Attila the Stockbroker

Tymon Dogg + support!

£3 waged - £2 unwaged

                                - - -

ANYONE INTERESTED in setting up a Co-op. dealing with second-hand
furniture?

Contact Michael, at R.C.U., Tuesdays, 2-4p.m.

                                - - -

(paid ad)

NEWTOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION meets every 2nd Weds of the month at the
community house.

Are you looking for premises in Newtown? The community house offers
you space and time for new and exciting community groups.

117 Cumberland Road.
Contact Kate 68158 / Hazel 662720

                                - - -

EVENTS GUIDE

(10)

Reading Cycle Campaign - business meeting 8pm UB Cycles, London Street

Alconbury 9 Trial - 9 charged with "conspiracy" because they set up a
peace camp outside Alconbury U.S. air base

(11)

Reading Friends of the Earth - meeting to discuss action on pesticides
8pm, St Mary's Centre, Chain Street

Women's Writing Group - 7.30 Women's Centre, Abbey Street

40 Years of American Photography - free top from Reading - phone
Stella at RCU for details, 596639. Barbican Centre, London

(12)

Women's Day at RCU - includes the video "Girls", with discussion
after. 11.30, East Street. Also "Eating for Health" and batik

Can the Labour Party bring Socialism? SQWP public meeting 8pm, St
Mary's Centre. Tony Cliff speaks

(13)

Reading Rape Crisis - collective meeting. Phone 55577 for details

Women's Co-operative Guild - open meeting. RCU, East Street, 2.30

Canary Nest Feather Show - Reading & District cage bird society 7.30,
Walford Hall, Carey Street. Free

Countryside playschemes in Bracknell: (Aug 27-31) Meeting for those
interested in a different sort of playscheme. 7.30, St Michael's
Centre, Crowthorne. Details: Bracknell 482021.

Wokingham Women's Group: talk on anti-sexist and anti-racist
children's books at the Women's Centre, lA Milton Road. Details: Sue
758178.

(14) Chaotic Intervention - A loosely "situationist" meeting / chaotic
intervention will attempt to be held at the Sun pub on Castle St at
7.45 to discuss the secret life of Reading and how to influence
councillors by remote control. Look for copies of "The Revolution of
Everyday Life" to identify the meeting.

(15)

Summer Fayre in aid of Church of England Children's Society 2pm at St
George's Hall, St George's Road. 10p

Fete - Calcot school, Curtis Road, Calcot. 2pm, free

Reading Astronomical Society - AGM and film 7pm at St Peters Church
Hall, Church Road Earley. Details 62180

Amateur regatta 0 burly reactionaries putting their oars
in. 10.30-7.30 Thameside promenade

Village Fair - Kidmore End School, Kidmore End, 2-5.30, free

CND demo: against SLCMs. Portsmouth (Victoria Park), 11.30 am. BANC
bus leaves A.V. station 8 am. Details and tickets: Debbie, 690294.

(16)

No to Apartheid! Anti-apartheid movement national demonstration.
Assemble 12-1 at County Hall, York Road, London. Rally 3pm Trafalgar
Sq.

Leisure Ride - Reading Cycle Campaign ride to Henley. 10.30 Caversham
Bridge. Ring Paul 483183

Bear Ash - gardens open at Hare Hatch and The Priory, Beech Hill. 2-6

Red Rag Collective Meeting - discussion will undoubtedly include
money, Reading between the Lines, advertising and content. Come along
and take part. 4pm, 39 Coventry Road

Conservation: making a pond at Inkpen Common. Details from Peter Edge
781041.

(17)

St Andrews Scottish Dancers 7-dusk in Forbury Gardens

Wildlife in Berkshire - talk by Graham Battle. 7.30 at Reading Museum
and Art Gallery. Details Barbara Aldridge 592381

The Village of Titchfield Hampshire - talk by RB Wade. 7.30 at Palmer
Building, Whiteknights Campus

(19)

Women's Day at RCU - includes the video "Women and Work", with
discussion after. 11.30, East St. Also "addiction", dyeing (fabric
crafts)

Adventure in Kuwait - talk by Esme Few SRN. Organised by UK federation
of professional and business women. 7.30 at Civic Offices

(20)

Midsummer Nights Cruise - narrow boat along the Kennet with Reading
Civic Society. Details from secretary 696034. £1.50 (75p child)

The Making of a Torturer - video and speaker. 7.00 in Council Rooms,
Students Union, Whiteknights Campus

Children with Hearing Problems - talk by Dr John Barnford of Royal
Berks Hospital. 8pm at St. Andrews Church Hall, London Rd. 50p

Waterways ramble with Reading 18+ group. Meet in Cyclamen Room, Ship
Hotel, Duke St, 8pm.

Editorial Meeting for the next Rag. Come and decide what should go in
the next issue. Ring contact number on cover for time and venue

(21)

New Issues of 1984 - nothing more urgent than Reading and District
Philatelic Society meeting. 7.15 for 7.45 at Southcote Library,
Southcote Lane

(22)

Mime - parts of Women's self expression series. With Cathy
Nalty. 10.30-12.30 at Women's Centre, Abbey St. £1 or unwaged
free. Creche available and disabled access. Details Penny 662646

Guided Nature Walk with expert naturalist. Wellington Country Park,
Riseley. Start at reception at 10.30. £2.10 including admission to
park. Book in advance Heckfield 444.

Lesbian Celebration 85 - all women welcome. Fun, food and frolics. 2pm
at Speakers Corner, march to London Lesbian and Gay Centre, 67-9
Cowcross St. Disco and bar till 2. Creche and disabled access
available

Decent home for All - demo 1pm at Highbury Corner, North London

Paste up the Rag - ring 595605 for details

Mass 'situationist' drift: "A conscious investigation and
deconstruction of the emotional and psychological ambiences of the
architecture and area around the Hexagon and the Civic Offices - to
start the compiling of new maps of Reading, as part of the reinvention
and transformation of the everyday living of our lives. The Council
have contributed three bottles of champagne..." 12 midday.

Conservation: Fencing at California country park. For details ring
Peter Edge, 781041 or B'll 420242 x 2343


Advance Notice

Sat 29 June: Open meeting at Reading Centre for the Unemployed about
being involved with the centre 10.30 am.

Sun 6 July: 'Bash the Rich' at Henley Regatta.

                                - - -

COURSES

Aikido; Tues, St Saviour's Hall, Berkeley Ave. 667863.

Alternative medicine: Weds 1-3, Centre for Unemployed

Astrology: Beginners' class contact Sue 669571.

Allotments: Weds 10-12. 9.45 transport from RCU, East St

Carpentry: Men 1-3 till 8th July, Wilson Centre, W. Rd.

Hindi classes: Mon 4.30 - 5.30, Indian Community Centre 2 Norris Rd,
667262.

Indian Veg Cookery: Mon 1-3 till 1st July. Collier Centre, York
Rd. Ingredients provided. Creche.

Music tuition: at Bracknell Centre for Unemployed (B'll 53421): Guitar
(jazz and beginners). Thurs pm; Drums Tues pm; Piano beginners Wed pm.

Punjabi Wed 4.30-5.30, Indian Community Centre

Photography (b&w): Mon 11-1 till 5 Aug, RCU. Materials provided.

Painting: Mon 7-9, Tue 10-12 Old Town Hall, Blagrave St. 55911 or
861289 for details

Sahaja Yoga: Fri 7.30, St David's Hall, London Rd, room 3. Free.

Screen printing: Tues 1-3, 25 Jun - 10 Sept, RCU

Trad Festival Dance: Wed 7.45-10, Friends Mtg House, Church St. Anna
864665. 75p.

Unemployment: whose problem? Thurs 1-3, RCU, East St.

Tai Chi: till 10 July, Weds, Univ Students' Union. Main class 1-2.30,
also practice 12-1. Nick Booth, 873672

"Wed is Women's Day" at RCU: Fabric craft June 12-July 24
9.30-2.30. Women's health: 1-2.30 till July 24. Women's confidence
building workshop 10-11.30 till July 24. Women's video screenings
11.30-1 till July 24.

                                - - -

ORGANISATIONS

Anarchists: Mondays. Box 19, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St.

Amnesty 2nd Thurs of month, St Mary's Centre, Chain St.  Jean 472598.

B & B Claimants Group: Mondays, Centre for Unemployed.

Berks Anti-Nuclear Campaign / CND: General meeting 2nd Tues. PO Box
158. West: Ed Wilson 594655. East: Steve Cavin 663177. South: Stanley
Plimsoll 861183. Cav'm: Ruth Wincheater 482681.

Berks Conservation Volunteers: Sundays: practical conservation Keith,
Bracknell 56796. PO Box 165, Reading.

Berks Humanists: 2nd Fri. 7748?1.

Communists: 2nd Tues, AUEW, 121 Oxford Rd. Eileen 477913.

Cycle Campaign: 2nd Mon, 8pm at UB Cycles, London St. John 483183 or
John 64667.

Cyclists' Touring Club: Richard, Bracknell 50649.

Direct Action Group: Tues 8 pm Wellington Arms in Whitley St.

Ecology Party: 1st & 3rd Mon, 8 College Rd & 38 Long Barn Rd
respectively. Maria 55415.

Friends of the Earth: John or Anne Booth 868260.

Greenham Support (women): Fortnightly meetings. Night watch every
Thurs. Women also needed Thurs 1-4 to prevent evictions while benefit
payments are collected. Contact via Women's Centre.

History of Reading: 1st Tues, Abbey Gateway, the Forbury.

Labour History: Monthly. Mike 867769 or Kathy 590139.

Labour Militant: Ian 666734.

LPYS: Weds, Fairview Centre, George St, 8pm.

Men's Group; Weekly. Box 28, Acorn Bookshop.

Miner's Support: Thurs, TGWU, 36 King's Rd. 590311.

Nat. Council for Civil Libs: 2nd Mon, St Mary's Centre, Chain St. Paul
661562.

New Games: Fortnightly. Palmer Park by Adventure Playground. 2pm,
non-Rag Sundays.

Newtown Community Ass.: Alternate Weds, 7.30,117 Cumberland Rd.

Peace Pledge Union: Monthly. 588459, 374532 or Box 10, Acorn Bookshop.

Reading Birth Centre: 3rd Tues. 61330.

Rg. 0rg. for Animal Rights: 1st Tues., the Crown, Crown St. Dave 54096
or Geoff 476529.

Situationists etc: Box 2001, Acorn Bookshop.

Shelter: lst Thurs, Centre for Unemployed, East St, 8pm. Mark Goldup
863153.

Socialist Workers: Weds, 8pm, Red Lion, Southampton St.

Vegans: lst Sun, 1 Orrin Clo, Tilehurat. Liz or Steve 21651

Workers' Power: 584558.

Women's Centre: Open Sat 11-3. Basement, Old Shire Hall, Abbey St. No
tel. All women & kids welcome. Meetings on 'first of the month', 7.30.

Reading Centre for the Unemployed (RCU): Open 9-30-4.30 M-F not Fri
mornings. 4-6 East St 596639.

Reading Between the Lines. Red Rag's guide to Reading, has details of
many more groups and organisations than are listed here. It costs 50p
from bookshops and other outlets.

                                - - -
(paid ad)

WARNING - WARNING - RABBIT SQUAD IN READING!

The "Regional Benefit Investigation Team", (or the Rabbit Squad), is
now in Reading for a six weak stay. Reading Centre for the Unemployed
is therefore offering the following urgent advice to the town's
claimants:

They have no power to withhold your benefit, only the Insurance
Officer can do this. Do not be intimidated by threats of benefit
suspension, as 'Rabbit' members have no right to do this.

You are not obliged to let them into your house: they have no right of
entry. Ask for an appointment to be made.

If you are called in for an interview, you should insist on the
presence of a friend/advisor/witness. You are entitled to this.

Do not agree to, or sign anything without legal advice - available
from R.C.U.

If you need a witness, advice or representation contact your Centre:

Reading Centre for the Unemployed
4-6 East Street, Reading RG1 4QL
Telephone: Reading (0734)596639

                                - - -
(paid ad)

BUS PROJECT FIELD WORKERS

Temporary Employment Opportunity for Long-Term Unemployed

Field Workers are required as members of World Education Berkshire
Mobile Development Education Project Team

£56.31 per 23hr Week (3 Days)

The team represents a variety of programmes on Development Education
topics in schools and with Community Groups using a specially
converted double-decker bus.

We are looking for people with teaching skills and/or experience in
Counselling or group work, Publicity, Promotional/Campaigning etc and
those with skills in Graphics, Display, Audio-Visual Aids, Art/Craft
work, Theatre/Dance, Music, Writing etc. People from Ethnic Groups and
those who are disabled will be warmly welcomed.

The W.E.B. Bus Project is an MSC Community Programme Scheme and
special eligibility conditions apply. If you are interested in one of
these positions, contact Mr Tom Baines at the Slough Job Centre (Tel
Slough 37711). For further details of the Project contact W.E.B. at
112 Burnham Lane Slough (tel Burnham 67401).

                                - - -

SMALL AD

Gent's Bike for sale, 21" frame. Old, but does its job. Newish dynamo
& lights. £15 o.n.o. Phone John on 661279.

                                - - -

HELP?

Alcoholics Anon; 597494 24hrs

Age Concern: 598097

Family planning clinic: 24 Craven Rd. 864621 10-1.

Gingerbread: (l-parent family support) contact via CAB

Citizen's Advice Bureau: St Mary's Butts. 598059.

Incest Survivors' Group: write c/o Rape Crisis Line

Housing & Welfare Rights: Centre for Unemployed 596639.

Housing Aid Centre: 55911, Civic Offices.

Nightline: 672268 6 pm - 8am in Univ. term time.

No.5: 585856. Help for young people. 24 Sackville at.

Pregnancy testing: Tues 7-9, Women's Centre, Abbey St. Free. Bring
urine sample from first pee of the day.

Parents Anon: 567154.

Rape Crisis Line; 55577. Staffed Sun 7.30-10.30; 24 hr answerphone.

Readibus (transport for old & disabled): 591121

Reading Gay & Lesbian Helpline 597269, Tues and Fri 8-10pm. Info and
support.

Samaritans: 58454, 24 hrs. 154 Southampton St, 9am - l0pm.

Special clinic (VD etc): 863355 before 12 noon.

                                - - -

$Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1985/1985-06-09.txt#4 $