Reading's Only Newspaper Free November 11 - 25 RED RAG The next issue will have several pieces left out this time, mainly on planning and housing. Co-ordinator is Laura (leave messages with Guy on 669562) News: 669562 Events: 591025 Going Out: 669154 Distribution: 669562 Copy deadline: Thurs 22 Nov Write to: Red Rag, c/o Box 79, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St., Reading. - - - PRIVATE REST HOMES At about this time last year the government changed the rules on DHSS payments of fees for rest and retirement homes for the elderly. Now, subject to a means test, elderly people can have all their fees for rest homes paid by the government, up to a maximum set by the local DHSS office. The scheme was designed to relieve hardship on elderly people and reduce pressure on health and social services; but the setting of local maximum fees encouraged existing rest home owners to increase their fees to the local maximum - usually well over £100 per week - and encouraged others to set up homes to meet the demand from people who could now afford to pay. One of those new homes is Abbeymore, at 161 Wokingham Road, which has been open since the summer. Despite the home's fees of over £150 per week, and the demand for rest home places, Abbeymore is having difficulty in paying staff a reasonable wage. It has offered experienced staff £l per hour, or £35 per 40 hour week. Not surprisingly it has also had difficulty in recruiting staff. The home's brochure says that it offers "24 hour residential care, fifty two weeks a year, for both men and women", and that it is "particularly suited to the ambulant elderly but people with specific medical problems or ailments will be considered". One of the less ambulant residents has no legs. There are other residents who might be considered less than ideally suited to a home of this kind. Abbeymore was set up by Mrs Jackie Northey and Mrs Janet McNeillie, but we understand that Mrs Northey has already left the home. Whatever the problems at Abbeymore, and there is nothing to suggest that Mrs McNeillie isn't doing her best to look after the residents presently with her, the story of Abbeymore illustrates some of the stupidities of government policy. While paying out huge sums to the owners of private rest homes, the same government department is embarking on a policy of closing geriatric wards and hospitals because it says the institutional care they provide is unnecessary. And despite the new economic incentives to open private homes, the supply of places still fails miserably to meet the demand. Last week it was impossible to find any private home in Reading not fully booked. Recently two thirds of the patients in Shiplake Ward at Battle hospital, a geriatric ward, were waiting to be transferred to some kind alternative institutional accommodation. The whole range of residential provision for the elderly is under immense pressure - from sheltered council owned flats, through Social Services and private homes for the elderly to geriatric hospitals and private nursing homes. The government has recognised the dangers of its policy of handing out money to the owners of all registered rest homes by introducing new stricter guidelines for inspection and registration to be introduced in January. The broad line of government policy remains unchanged, however. We should trust in the enterprise and efficiency of the private operator (albeit government-subsidised) rather than the bureaucratic and overadministered Social Services and NHS machines. - - - CITIZEN CAIN True Colours? Under Edward Heath's Government the Parliamentary spokesman for the Police Federation was "Uncle Jim" Callaghan. Under the Wilson and Callaghan Governments it was again a member of the Opposition, Eldon Griffiths, the M.P. for Bury St Edmunds. The tradition of having a spokesman from the Opposition lapsed under Thatcher (after all, one of her first moves was to give the police a thumping big pay rise) and Eldon Griffiths is still their spokesman. So it was he who led the Parliamentary campaign to take out of the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill Lord Scarman's amendment that racial discrimination by the police should be a disciplinary offence. Mr Griffiths failed, because the Government wanted all the other increases in police powers so much that they weren't prepared to risk another Lords defeat on this one issue. So the Bill is now law, and racial discrimination is a disciplinary offence. Respect for the law among our local Bill is so great that Thames Valley Police Federation spokesman Seargeant Eachus called this bit simply a PR exercise. Chief Constable Peter Imbert's welcome was a bit more sinister: "At the moment," he said, "many people are being unlawfully stopped and searched. But it will now be encapsulated in the Bill and there will be regulations about it". Which I'm sure will be a great comfort to them as they can be confident that Thames Valley police who have been acting unlawfully will obey the regulations, PR or not, to the letter. County People The retirement from the County Council next May of Lt. Col. Richard Watt (Con, Winkfield) will draw the final veil over the saga of conflicts of interest which resulted from his Tanglewood Ltd. tendering for County Council business, a saga which some felt got played down rather because of the former County Council Chairman's awkward position as a relative of the Royal family. Tory Deputy Leader Steve Morris, all-selling Chairman of the Property Sub-Committee, obviously feels he's sold enough and will be retiring too, to concentrate on finding a safer seat than Oxford East before 1987. But the real surprise is the Tory decision to field their Chairman (sic) of Social Services, Ann Forbes-Cockell, against the Old Windsor Ratepayer, Arthur Hartley, who's voted with them in about nine votes out of every ten. Tory patience snapping? Wheeling The introduction of the new "Wheeliebins" by Newbury District Council looks unlikely to be trouble-free. Not only do they have to be imported, but the Director of Environmental Services has told residents to leave the containers at the front of their houses and gone on to stress the Council "cannot be held responsible for those lost or damaged except in exceptional circumstances". Not clear what happens when you come home and find your Wheeliebin's been wheeliebinned away. Haroldry Double glazing customers who've lost the deposits they paid to Bearwood Glass (liquidated with debts of £272,000) may not be too pleased to realise that the company belonged to Harold Mars, whose Winnersh Builders collapsed ten months ago with even larger debts. His Hasrange Roofing has also now gone down owing £27,000. What will he think of next? Royal Bluffs Next May's County elections are of course the reason the Tories are trying to pretend they can stop the new mini-town south of Reading and the Liberals making a belated pretence at campaigning against more development west of Newbury. What they won't admit is that the builders' stranglehold on Patrick Jenkin is so strong that almost any development plan will get approval from the Department of the Environment on appeal (the Council for the Preservation of Rural England documented this back when Heseltine was King), and all local Councils can do is tentatively to offer different globs of countryside which they hope will if developed do less long-term harm than the ones the Consortium and others have first thought of. The Berkshire Tories are anxious to distance themselves from what the Whitehall Tories are doing, at least till June. After that their propertied friends will do very nicely out of it all, thank you. Rocktory Just before the Borough elections this May, Rockfort Group boss property developer Roger Smee appeared at a press conference with Tory group leader property dealer Deryck Morton and promised to build an Ice Rink (the John Oliver Memorial Ice Rink) if the Tories kept control. It may have done the Tories some good for they did keep control, although JOMIR seems to have vanished till the next election. Smee's rapport with the Tories, though, continues. It was his help, extending to participation in meetings in the Civic Offices, which secured the Richfield Avenue development for Beacontree, his friend Deryck Morton taking publicly the "local firm" line forecast in this column. He should know local property firms if anyone does. And Tory deputy leader Geoff Lowe at the last meeting of the Borough's Policy Committee moved to postpone any initiative to move the Reading Football Club from Elm Park, which will allow Reading FC Chairman Roger Smee more time to negotiate with all the other property persons who are trying to get a share of that gravy. Nice to have friends. Dark as Day though is the Liberals' support for Beacontree after some weeks in which they had agreed with Labour that Tenant Bovis looked the better bet. It's almost as much a puzzle as the Liberals' support for the monstrous MEPC development in King's Road. But as Cllr. Day's only declared interests are in some seed company in East Anglia his fondness for major developers must be based purely on free market Alliance principles. Barratry One major developer, the Barratt Group, are believed to be showing an interest in West Reading, and in particular in the site of the Tay Road flats, which when they have been emptied by Reading Borough Council will be sold off as part of what was Cllr. Jewitt's closing-down sale of housing land and houses, now being conducted by Cllr. Tony Markham, the man who involved himself so deeply in the purchase of new Readibuses earlier this year that he contacted the companies involved direct. Sir Lawrie Barratt must be champing at the bit for some bargains somewhere because TV exposure of timber-frame and starter deals brought Barratt profits down from £50M to £37M last year and meant he had to accept a £30,000 salary cut to a mere £108,000... The Pr(a)etorian Connection Over the last few months the South African police have killed dozens of blacks - men, women and children - in an attempt to maintain law 'n' order in the black townships. One might have thought that as the sort of law enforcement even Mr Britain would like to distance himself from. Not so. An Assistant Chief Inspector from the Home Office has been accompanying a Mrs. L. van der Heefen, a judge of the South African Supreme Court, on a tour of the British penal system, including, on Saturday November 3rd, our very own Berkshire Probation Service's Community Service Department where she saw blacks and whites together happily or otherwise working out their community service orders. It is better than shooting them, but it is a sort of shivery idea that as the South African whites step up their oppression of the Black, Asian and Coloured communities they think they have something to learn from Mrs. Thatcher's Britain. And that there appears to be such readiness on the Home Office's part to help. Those people in Reading, black and white, who come into contact with the local Probation Service will however be relieved to know that the Berkshire branch of the Association of Probation Officers put in a strong protest about the van der Heefen visit to the Chief Probation Officer. They at least recognise moral contamination when they see it. Quick Sick Quiz Q1: Why was Nick Shepperson, the obscure Tory candidate in the obscure Theale by-election for Newbury District Council, not in Theale High Street at 10a.m. on September 13th to meet the voters as he had promised in his election address? A1: Because, Glory be, in the aftermath of the Brighton bombing, he feared being blown up there by the IRA. Q2: Why did the Berkshire Liberals, who had abstained on the principle of the Government's call to cut capital spending, oppose Labour's proposal for a new project costing only £10,000? A2: Because Labour leader Lawrence Silverman was suggesting the council fund a fence for them to sit on. Q3: Why is opinion among shop-keepers in Newbury at long last swinging against cruise missiles at USAF Greenham Common? A3: Because the USAF Seargeants Association is pressing for USAF personnel at the base to be given a 10% discount in their shops. Kidding you not, Citizen Cain - - - Paid Advertisement Reading's only Workers' Co-operative UB CYCLES same day bicycle repairs renovations new & second hand bikes spare parts... UB Cycles 67 London Street Reading phone 509089 Open 8.30-6.00 Monday to Saturday 10.00-12 noon Sundays - - - ANARCHY IN WOOD GREEN The November 5th "celebration" turned out to be like the finest of classical anarchist insurrections. Of the hundreds of comrades expected a mere 30 of us actually bothered to turn up at Wood Green in the evening, We had kept it too secret as usual. However we were not put off and in true revolutionary spirit we vowed to continue after a few drinks down the pub. As all those of nervous disposition had stayed at home, we were left with the cream of dedicated window-smashing enthusiasts, the hard core head-banging intransigents. The police were nowhere to be seem, so after letting off a pretty smoke bomb we went loopy down Wood Green High Road past the shopping centre to a tremendous din of crash bonk tinkling noises, and then melted away fast into the night (about 50 bank and shop windows in all I think). One bunch of individuals who tagged along at the start thought we were joking but when they saw us go mad they stopped, one of them shouted, "They're all bloody headcases.* Let's get out of here," and then scarpered. Though small, the action, part of a combined Stop the City/ Support the striking Miners effort, was significant enough to be mentioned by the London evening papers and local radio and television. We caused a tiny bit of sabotage and disruption to the system and demonstrated our resistance and solidarity: all good mischief making fun for Gremlins. A better turnout next time please comrades! *true? Erik - - - SEX SHOPS AND CENSORSHIP Why aren't there sex shops where mostly men are portrayed as nude in magazines and calendars, where plastic vulvas are sold, where one can buy black lacy jock straps and vests? Are sex shops places where men and woman equally indulge in erotica; or do they purvey subtle sexism and pornography to mainly men? If you dare enter a Reading sex shop, will you find images of people making love with mutual pleasure, warmth and shared sensuality, or will you find images of sex in which there is force, violence and/or symbols of unequal power generally at the expense of women? The Labour Party in Reading believe that Reading needs 5 sex shops in spite of a Council subcommittee report recommending the refusal of licences to all five. Perhaps they are afraid of the "moral majority" or of being labelled prudish or of supporting any form of censorship. Or perhaps they just haven't visited these shops and asked some pertinent questions. Or perhaps they use them?! For those Labour members, Councillors and others who would like to think more about this issue, I will explode a number of arguments used in support of sex shops as follows: l Sex shops are available for those who choose to use them; to close them is to interfere, in "the private lives of consenting adults". But: Men are the main customers of such shops (women's days have been complete flops) . Men have the economic and political power in our society; they don't leave it outside the bedroom door. About one half of the "consenting adults" have the power to enforce consent; the rest can feel obliged to consent for fear of loss of "femininity" or "sexiness" loss of love, loss of financial support or even loss of a limb. 2 To close such shops is censorship. But: In other "private" areas, censorship is approved when there is a potential infringement on the rights and safety of others. (Obvious examples are control of the sale and use of drugs and of weapons). The message that sex shops purvey - that one can buy better sex - is harmful to human relationships. Do we want our children to believe that sex is purely a physical performance, a mechanical act that can be improved by better "tools" (or larger breasts and longer penises)? 3 Obscenity laws are enough to prevent any hard pornography from being sold in such shops. But: The most recent use of these laws locally has been against Acorn Bookshop! How many sex shops are inspected and how often? Would a portrayal of a bound, gagged, tortured but smiling woman be defined as obscene? 4 These shops trade in harmless fantasies. But: If visual images are so harmless, why are so many billions of pounds spent on advertising, persuading us of the benefits and values of brand names and packaging? Why is so much of sex shop business done by mail order with brown paper covers? 5 Sex shops provide an outlet for those who would otherwise go out on the streets and harm someone. But: How many of those do harm someone (often in their own homes) and go undetected? Research is finding more connections between violent sexual images and uncaring attitudes towards women. (In one recent case study where 50 men were treated for incest with daughters, most were found to possess large amounts of incest pornography.) Defence cases locally have cited girlie magazines portraying women as anxious for casual sex and pop songs about sexual violence as explanations for the behaviour of their clients. Some say all that is not virginal or motherly is pornographic; some say all sex is good sex (as long as it's male-defined). Women who feel endangered and men who feel demeaned by sex shops (and media images, videos etc) have a long struggle ahead. On November 13th some of the Labour group have the courage to break ranks and speak for the recommendation to close these shops. Anyone else who feels it is time to take a stand, can join the picket at the Civic Offices at 6pm on November 13th and/or sign the petition at Acorn Bookshop. Until we redefine sexuality to be equal and erotic "there will be little murders in our beds - and very little love" (G. Steinem, 1978). Lesley - - - SMALL ADS * Metal-framed sprung bedstead. plus mattress. 3' wide. Good condition. Made by Heals. £5, Ring 473205. * Brass-railed nursery fender, old fawn staircarpeting, large laundry basket, and handsome bow-topped brass-bound trunk - all free - ring 473205. * Large brown carpet free to anyone who will collect it. Newish and in good condition but lightly stained with Elsan. Phone 588459. * Philips turntable (78, 45, 33 and 16 rpm!). Believed to be in working order. £2. Ring 473205. * Free! One small(ish) fridge - old but works. Also one double mattress (no base) - old but clean. Donation to Red Rag appreciated. Tel Reading 665432. * Astrology classes and consultations. Contact Sue on 669571. * Centipede Theatre Company are in desperate need of musical instruments for "Deafness and performing arts" project. Ring 664464 in office hours. - - - GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS Do you want to let people know what's going on? Do you or your group want to air your opinions? If so, Getting Your Message Across is for you. It's a series of eight evening workshops. Each one is designed to help you learn more about some aspect of the media, from radio interviews and videos to leaflets and posters advertising a jumble sale. All the workshops will emphasise doing it yourself and doing it cheaply, and every session will give you practical experience of what's involved. The workshops are all free and open to anyone. You can come to one or more or all of them. You don't need to register or book, just turn up. All workshops are at Reading Centre for the unemployed (4-6 East St) except for Mon 19 which is at Fairview Community Centre, George St and Mon 26 which is at Acorn Bookshop 17 Chatham St. All workshops run from 8 to 10pm For further details phone Guy on 669562 or Clive on 662302 Mon 19th Nov. Leaflets and Community Newsletters. With representatives from Red Rag and local fanzines: design and paste-up, using graphics, printing methods, distribution Tues 20. The Press. With Sean Ryan from the Evening Post being interviewed: writing press releases, establishing contact with the press. Wed 21. Posters Designing your poster, different mediums, printing, distribution, talking to printers, costs. Thurs 22. Radio and T.V. With a representative from Radio 210's careline, radio interviews, using local radio. Mon 26. Community Newsletters 2 The practical aspects of litho printing and preparation of plates using the process camera. Tues 27. Writing Researching and writing in different styles, editorial control, Wed 28. Public Meetings and Exhibitions With Paul Toleman. What does the organisation entail, use of photographs, tape slide video, venues, advertising. Thurs 29. Video and T.V. With a member of the Real Time video collective, what does video offer, what does it cost, finding equipment, distribution, cable, access to broadcast T.V. - - - HUNGRY FOR CHANGE Between 1 o'clock on Thursday 15th and 7 o'clock on Friday 18th Nov, the Third World First group at the University will be undertaking a sponsored fast in the hope of both raising some money for famine relief in Ethiopia and drawing people's attention to the severe problem. If you would like to take part, sponsor forms can be obtained at Oxfam, or by contacting the Third World First group at the Students' Union, Whiteknights. Those taking part will be running a stall at the S.U., and any moral support will be welcome. Members of the Men's Group are at present attempting to set up a creche service which will be able to act as support for when parents want to go to Greenham, other peace camps, picket lines, conferences etc. The creche will be free to those who can't afford much, but may ask for a bit of money from those who can. Would anyone interested in helping, or who thinks they may need the creche please contact the Men's Group, Box 28, Acorn: or phone John (666681) or Mo (67149). - - - MONEY We print 1600 copies of the Rag these days. If everyone gave us 10p for their copy (£2.50 a year) that would easily pay for it, even without the regular standing orders we get... Donations in cash can be made to the collecting tins in Acorn Bookshop, Eurofoods (Cemetery Junction), Pop Records, or Harvest Wholefoods. Cheques (to 'Red Rag') can be sent c/o Box 19, 17 Chatham St. Or if you'd like to take out a standing order yourself - it gives us a regular income we can count on - write to us and ask for a form! - - - EVENTS 12 M BANC - Meeting at Friends Meeting House, 8pm. Phone Ed Wilson on 594855 for further details. Sonning Common Peace Group - Annual General Meeting. Details Lucy Newson on 72S561. Vegans - Letter writing session at 1 Orrin Close at 8pm. Reading Cycle Campaign - Business meeting at U.B. Cycles, London St. 8pm. SHP - Natural History Society: Helen Tranter from Bracknell District Council, talks about policies in leisure. 8pm. 50p non-members. 13 T Council Meeting - 6.30pm Civic offices. Picket 6-6.30 to demonstrate against a resolution that is to be put, stating that Reading needs 5 sex shops. 'British Bats' - a talk by Michael Hardy. Park Centre, Davis St., Hurst at 7-30pm. Admission 75p. Mixed C-R Group - an opportunity for both sexes to get together to discuss anything and everything. This will be our first meeting, so ring Marcus for further details on 591025. 8pm at 22 Howard St. BANC - Magical Mystery Tour to a well known Cruise Missile Base. Meet at the Friends Meeting House 7.30pm. Bus will leave at 8 prompt. Will visit one of the women's camps and perhaps others on the way back. Bus returns by 10.30. 14 W Imprint Society - Jim Harold - A photographer's view of landscape. 8pm at the department of typography, Whiteknights. Admission free. Day of Prayer - 10.30am Westminster Cathedral and Abbey. Not religious - everyone welcome. Themes - Peace in Our World (cathedral) and Peace of Conscience (abbey). 15 T Hexagon Management Board - 5.30pm Civic Offices. 16 F Planning Committee - 2.30 Civic Offices. Veggie Dining - African theme, tickets £2.50 / £2. 50p per ticket towards the Ethiopian Appeal, from Acorn. 17 S Bazaar - Handicrafts, plants, gifts etc. Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Squ. Reading. 10.00am. Admission free. Bird Walk - at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis St., Hurst. Information, Tel. Twyford 342016. Fayre - Church Hall, Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading. 2.30pm. Reading Astronomical Society - 'The Moon - How? When? Where?' by Geoff Amery. St. Peter's Church Hall, Church Rd. Early. 7.00pm. Tel. Mrs M. Wrigley, Reading 62180, for further information. Annual Bazaar - In aid of the Methodist World Development Fund. Caversham Heights Methodist Church, Highmoor Rd., Caversham. 2.30pm Admission l0p. 'The Archaeology of Reading's Waterfronts' - Lecture by John Hawkes Friends Meeting House, Church St. 2.45 pm. ROAD - a stall in town, opposite St. Mary's Butts. Fun, Fun, Fun! - War toys protest. Meet outside Hexagon 2pm. Leafleting, dying-in, Street Theatre - all elcome. Phone 588459 for further details. 18 S Craft Marekt - 10.30 - 4.30, Village Hall, Recreation Rd., Burghfield Common. Admission lOp. Proceeds Mencap / Save the Children. 19 M Reading Safety Group - 'Radiation - Risks and Precautions'. Dr. D.W. Hadley. Palmer Building, University of Reading, Whiteknights. 2.30pm. 20 T Heading Birth Centre - 12 noon. Meeting at 16 Lorne St. Details from Rosie 596903. Please bring food end a contribution for lunch. Meeting - of Berks Peace Council. 2 representors of each peace group welcomed. Ring Windsor 66197 for further details. 'Tinker at the Forth Bridge...'? - Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Edward Elgar by Dr Christopher Kent 8pm Palmer Bdg. Whiteknights G10 Free. Meeting - to set up a community residents group. To include Eastern Ave, Hamilton Rd, Crescent Rd, Wokingham Rd + College Rd. 7.30 at Reading Activities Centre on the corner of Bulmershe Rd. 21 W BANC - Committee Meeting at the Jury rooms above the Womens Centre Abbey St. 8pm all members welcome. Univ. Ecology Group - "A New Look at Agriculture": Joane Bower, Food & Farm Society. 2.15, Early Gate, Whiteknights Park (nr. 3 Tuns) Agriculture Dept room I3. 22 T SUP - The Fifth Independent Video Festival. Send in your own tapes. Continues over the next 4 days. Red Rag Editorial Meeting - Collectively become a part of Reading's Only Newspaper. See cover for phone number of the next co-ordinator for details of where + when. Herbs for Pregnancy and Childbirth - Talk by Michael McInityre (a medical herbalist) at St. Andrews Reformed Church Hall, London Rd, 8pm Adm. 50p West Reading CND - meeting at 6 Cranbury Rd, 8pm. Reports on American contacts and Parliamentary affairs. 'Spotters Jubilee' - Talk by Mr Leitch, organised by the Railway correspondence and travel Soc. St Marys Centre, Chain St at 7.30pm. 23 F SHP - The Fifth Independent Video Festival. Featuring pop and music promo's . Free Admission. Red Rag typing and headlines - Offers of help to co-ordinator, number on cover. 24 S SHP - 5th Independent Video Festival. £5 for the day or 2.50 for the unwaged. SHP - Calligraphy - a means to an end; talk and workshop directed by Patrick Knowles. Adm. £6.50/5.50 from 10.30 - 5pm. Red Rag Production Day - Paste up etc. Where and When? ring co-ordinator. Green Alternative Fayre - at St Marys Centre, Chain St. From 2-5 pm. Many displays and stalls including Ecology, BANC, ROAR and Red Rag. Fun fun fun! Hex - Fairsaxon Stamp Fair 10am - 5pm. AGM. Free (in Upper Foyer) 25 S SHP - 5th Independent Video Festival. £5.00/2.50 for day. Red Rag- Folding and Distribution as above. "Transform your life from Stress" - day seminar with Adela Pickering, £15. Tel Maureen 934 5706. Forthcoming: 30F: Reading Magistrates will give their decision on Acorn's books. Find out what effect 2 months' reading of the Freak Brothers has had. 2Sun: Red Rag Collective meeting: 4pm, 30 Erleigh Rd (Guy's). All interested very welcome. - - - REGULAR EVENTS Greenham Support Group (Women): meets fortnightly. Nightwatch every Thurs. Contact via Womens Centre, Abbey St. Alcoholics Anonymous: groups meet regular in Reading (9 meetings a week), Pangbourne, Thatcham, Henley, & Bracknell. Day and night info and help line - 597494. Labour History Group; meets monthly at Red Lion, Southampton St. Contact Kathy 590159 or Mike 867789 for details. Vegans: meet 1st. Sun of month at 1 Orrin Close, Tilehurst. Contact Liz & Steve on 21651 Amnesty: meets 2nd Thurs of month at St. Marys Centre, Chain St. Contact Jean 472598. History of Reading Soc.: meets 3rd Tues of month at the Abbey Gateway. Cyclists Touring Clubs outings Sun 9.15am from Caversham Bridge or Henley. For details ring Richard on Bracknell 50849 Wednesday is Womens Day: at Reading Centre for the Unemployed (RCU) East St. Coffee, advice courses etc from 10.30am. Silkscreen Workshops; at Community House, 117 Cumberland Rd. Details from Clive 662302. Cruelty-Free Toiletries: market stall every Sat behind Tesco's. National Council for Civil Libs meets 2nd Mon of month at St. Marys Centre Chain St. Ring Paul 861582. Reading Recreation Arts Centres: painting for pleasure at Town Hall, Blagrave St. Mon 7-9 Tues 10-12. Details 55911 or 861289. Berks. Anti-Nuclear Campaign: (BANC) meets 2nd Tues of month at Friends Meeting Hse. Also neighbourhood groups. PO Box 158 Reading or Phone Gill or Ed on 594855. Labour Party Young Socialists: Weds at Fairview Community Centre, bottom of George St. 8pm T'ai Chi Classess beginners & intermediate. Open to all. Tues lunchtime, intermediate. Wed lunchtime, beginners. Contact Nick 875123 (ex 6221) or Martin 853670. £3 per session plus large reduction for unwaged. Traditional Festival Dance: every Wed until 19th Dec. Friends Meeting Hse. 6 Church St. Rdg 7.45-10, 75p ring Anna 864665. Dance Fitness: at RCU, East St. Wed 10-12pm. Details 596639. Carpentry: Free course at Adult College, Wilson Centre, Wilson Rd. Mon 1-3 For unwaged. Ring 596639 Digging on the Dole: at RCU Free course for unwaged. Ring 596639 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 Birth Centre: meets 3rd Tues of month for food and chat. Ring 61330 for venue. Reading Organisation for Animal Rights (ROAR): 1st Tues of month at the Crown, Crown St. Details from Dave 54098 or Jeff 476529. Men's Group: meets weekly. For dates and venue, contact Box 28 Acorn Bookshop. Miners Support Committee: meets every Thurs 7.30pm. at TGWU office, 36 King's Rd. Ring 590311 for details. Photography: sessions every Tues 10-12, 1-3 at RCU, East St. Housing and Welfare Rights: 1st Thurs morning every month at the Community Hse. 117 Cumberland Rd Reading Gay Switchboard; Tues & Fri 8-10pm 597269 Mini Market: Thurs 9-1 St Marys Centre, Chain St. 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. Incest Survivors Group: meets regularly. Write c/o Rape Crisis Line, 17 Chatham St. for details. Anarchists: meet every Mon. Details via Box 19 Acorn Bookshop. Also Autonomists. Peace Pledge Union (PPU): meets monthly. Pacifist group. Contact 588459, 374532 or Box 10 Acorn. Ecology Party; meets 1st & 3rd Mon of the month at 8 College Rd and 38 Long Barn Lane respectively. Contact Maria 663195. Socialist Workers Party: meets every Wed at the Red Lion Southampton St. 8pm. Books and Records Sale: every last Sat of the month. 10-4 at 4 Culver Rd (side of College Anns). Contact 65533. Astrology: beginners class. Started mid-Oct. £18 Contact Sue on 669571. Sahaja Yoga: Regular public meeting every Fri at 7pm at Music Rm St Davids Hall 26 London Rd. All welcome, no charge. Contact O1-673-1956. Wornens Assertiveness Training: Free at RCU for unwaged. Fri 1-3 Creche available. Phone 596639. Drama Workshops: Free to jobfree at RCU. Practical workshops in drama technique for beginners & experienced performers. Tues 1-3, Until review in Jan. 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. - - - COSMO GIRL'S GUIDE TO NON-MONOGAMY In Red Rag quite a few months ago someone (jokingly?) advocated celibacy as a solution to the emotional wrangles which seem inevitably to develop when two people become lovers. Multiple relationships were found to be impossible to cope with. I've found both monogamy and non-monogamy (sorry about the jargon) problematical, but I don't think celibacy is the answer to either. Relationships are about emotions. Celibacy is a way of avoiding taking emotional risks. There is only one good reason to choose to be celibate - and that is because you don't like sex, which is a pity. Why choose non-monogamy? Because we have emotional needs and desires outside our primary relationship which should be expressed rather than repressed. Because as part of a couple one is often treated not as an individual but as one half of a social unit. Because any attempt to break down the internalised social conditioning which tells us to feel jealous, insecure or possessive when a loved one loves someone else must be a good thing: I don't want to own the person I love. Some of these reasons are so much ideology. The only good reason to explore multiple relationships is because you feel like it. What are multiple relationships? So far I've been using certain terms without defining them. Here are my definitions: Relationship: What happens when two people feel certain emotions towards each other which they would like to pursue and develop. There are as many kinds of relationships as there are people - but I believe commitment should be a conscious decision and not something you take on board automatically with the relationship. Lovers: I've used the term for people who express themselves sexually as well as emotionally to each other. How you define sexual expression is another matter - more of this later. Multiple relationship: Differs from casual sex in that emotional involvement forms the basis of the relationship. I don't think gender politics is relevant to the issue. Whichever your sex and sexual orientation, non-monogamy is a tough one to crack. I don't believe there exists a magical female sisterhood and sexuality which transcends jealousy and possessiveness; although I do believe that sisterly solidarity discovered in women's groups might help break down feelings of competitiveness between women. I don't believe casual sex is what I'm talking about either - casual sex is rather like celibacy (whilst more fun) in that it avoids taking emotional risks. So far I've been talking about multiple relationships as a single issue; but of course it's part of a far wider question of human relations - how people treat each other all the time. Alienation is our everyday experience, we fear taking friendly initiatives (this is especially understandable on the part of women with regard to men). No-one wants their intentions to be misread, but when it is generally taken for granted for granted that certain friendly gestures automatically mean you are making a pass or a bit odd, we all end up incredibly inhibited. (And I don't mean that holding hands should be compulsory after the revolution.) We're afraid of touching each other even when we're friends, unless we've got a good excuse. Makes you wonder why people don't go round injuring themselves as a pretext for getting a sympathetic hug. Why are we so terrified of making ourselves vulnerable? Perhaps because we're busy trying to live up to stereotypes and competing with each other. Lack of self-confidence is built into us, and we rely too heavily on other people's judgements. Feelings of inadequacy rule our inner selves. Jealousy Suppose you're deeply in love with someone. Then you discover that your Favourite Human Being is falling in love with someone else. FHB tells you s/he still loves you, and wishes to continue as before, with the proviso that s/he can continue the new relationship. You can't help feeling jealous. Could this-multiple relationship work? I would say yes, providing you avoid some of the pitfalls, and don't make some of the stupid mistakes I made. Jealousy arises from feelings of inadequacy - "what's s/he got that I haven't?", "I thought our relationship was special" - which spring into action when a blow is dealt to our self-esteem. Given the artificial primacy of sex in our culture, on which much of our self-esteem depends, it is not surprising that multiple relationships are such a no-no. Also, honesty is something we're not very good at, and m.r.s need a lot of that. In the case quoted above, at least FHB has started out by being honest. What FHB needs to do now, to avoid screwing everybody up, is to make it clear whether there is a no. l in the m.r. so that everyone knows where they stand. If you are FHB's original partner and you could only operate as no.l priority, you should make this clear. In any case, FHB has much reassuring to do on both sides, if s/he cares at all about either partner. As either of FHB's partners, you must deal with your jealousy if you want to continue the relationship. Dealing with jealousy is about recognising what you're worth, reminding yourself of the good and nice things about yourself, being honest with yourself about what you would have done in FHB's position, and above all telling FHB when and why you're feeling jealous. If FHB is at all worthy of your affection, s/he will move heaven and earth to reassure you (in verbal and non-verbal ways) that you are special. If you were in FHB's position, you'd understand how very possible it is to love two people at the same time, how each relationship is different and special. (I believe we realise ourselves in other people - there would be no point if they were all the same!) If you are FHB then if you care at all, you must do your utmost to be reassuring - it is not enough to assume everything is OK unless there's some kind of crisis. Pitfalls: M.r.s are about dividing your time rather than your feelings. You should be able to maintain a strong intensity of feeling for more than one person - you don't remove some of your feeling from one person and dump it on the other. Feelings don't work like that - either you have them or you don't. But you do have to divide your time. Here we find pitfall number one: if your loved ones can make you feel guilty enough they may have you running around like a mad thing trying not to upset them. It is a terrible thing to be trapped by arguments like "You spent most of last week with so-and-so, so you must spend the whole of next week with me." Presumably you have other things to do besides conducting relationships. Another problem I've encountered is whether you decide to live with one partner or not. If you live with your 'no.l' or anchor partner, it may be dodgy to bring other partners back. If you share accommodation with a non-anchor partner, then your anchor partner is bound to feel left out. Anchor partner: Someone you love and trust and get automatic (though not uncritical) support fron. You may not have one, but this is outside my experience . Your partner's other partners If your partner starts a relationship with a friend of yours, and you value your friend, you'd be silly to let anything get in the way of your friendship. If you don't particularly know the person your partner is seeing but discover you like them a lot, again, don't let anything get in the way of a new friendship. If you find you don't happen to like your partner's new lover, then don't pretend you do (but don't be a pain about it). You'll feel very strange. The above are some of the problems I've encountered in my (limited) experience. This piece was not meant to be a catalogue of my sins or anybody else's (I hope it hasn't turned out to be one), but as a catalyst to further discussion and to air a topic normally regarded as "private business". I can think of some areas which I've left out, such as non-monogamy and kids, "free love" and communes, is the whole concept of "relationship" neurotic anyway? etc etc - but I'll leave that to you. Jan Dark - - - Spotted on the Civic Society Newsletter: A TORY OWN GOAL ON RICHFIELD AVENUE There was a young striker named Smee Who played with FC Beacontree They bent all the rules While winning the pools Who was the ref? - Harry Tee P.S. Our football correspondent suggests that Smee will resume his career playing with Morton in the Premier Division. Anon - - - Paid Advertisement A RUSHJOB BENEFIT FOR SHELTER AND CHERWELL HOUSING TRUST "Working Against Homelessness" Barcelona Bus Company Urban Warrior Here & Now Ticket Prices in advance: £2.50 & £2.00 from Acorn, Pop Records. On door £3.00 Licensed bar Electric Gypsies' Light-show 7.30 - late Old Town Hall Thursday 22nd November - - - OUTLETS You can pick up your next Red Rag from any of the following outlets: Acorn Bookshop, under Chatham St car park Central Club. London St Centre for the Unemployed, East St Continental Stores, Cemetery Junction Elephant Groceries and Off-licence, Derby St Eurofoods, Crown Colonnade, Cemetery Junction Fairview Community Centre, George St Fine Food Stores, 168 Oxford Rd Harrison's Newsagent, Caversham Rd Harvest Wholefoods, Harris Arcade, Friar St Jelly's Stores, Whitley St Kan's Kitchen, London Rd Ken's Shop, 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, 172 King's Rd Rag Doll, London St Reading Wholefoods, London Rd Rib'n'Roast, Cemetery Junction Sugar Bowl, Wokingham Rd Sutherlands, Erleigh Rd Tech College, King's Rd UB Cycles, London St Or you can have it delivered to your door if you ring Guy on 669562 or write to Red Rag, c/o Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. - - - ASTROLOGY COLUMN Hello! This is your friendly Reading Astrologer - Sue Gibson. As an alternative to the far-too-general sun-sign columns, I am going to write something on the sign of the month, and give an indication of the important trends for that sign. Please note that nobody is just one sign. A birth-chart includes the sun-sign which is symbolic of your individuality and inner self, but also contains nine other planets falling in the same or other signs, plus various other factors. This is why there are many 'types' within each particular sign. So please bear in mind that what follows will apply in varying degrees to Scorpios - depending on how Scorpionic you really are! Scorpio - 23rd Oct - 21st Nov. Ruling planets: Pluto and Mars The planet Saturn started moving through Scorpio in November 1982 and will leave this sign in November 1985. Many astrologers groan at the mention of Saturn as it is associated with restriction, limitation, inhibition, delays, etc, but also structure and self-discipline. So Scorpios (particularly those born late Oct / early November) probably will have experienced some frustration in at least one area of their life. The later Scorpios will start experiencing this around now and during the coming year! This all sounds terribly gloomy, but as in all things there is a positive and a negative side. Although Saturn slows down and constricts certain areas of your life, it also gives the opportunity to look at these areas in depth, and to create a structure which then makes than area 'work' much more satisfactorily. Where Saturn falls in someone's chart is often where their vulnerability lies - for Scorpios this is the time to come to terms with their own strengths and weaknesses on an inner level. It is the time to build a secure inner foundation, and from there to move out into the world, with a stronger inner security which protects them, to some extent, from the ups and downs of everyday life. The other planet just moving into Scorpio, Pluto, planet of transformation, death and rebirth, is enabling Scorpios (especially the early ones) to transform themselves into much more creative and dynamic individuals. Scorpios are rarely 'wishy-washy', but once Pluto has touched their Suns, they will begin to soar like eagles! There will be a great clear-out, both inwardly and outwardly, of all the junk that has outlived its viability, and this will be replaced by something new and vibrant. But the rubbish has to go first! If you, as a Scorpio, want to start working on yourself, this is the time to do it! For those of you with no Scorpio in your chart, bear with these souls, for soon they will bloom into something that's a joy to behold - and will have you chortling in response to their sharp satirical wit once again. - - - WAITING FOR GIRO Can you dance like Nureyev? Act like Brando? Sing like Streisand? Then we need you!! We're getting together a New Year Revue at the Reading Centre for the Unemployed called 'Waiting for Giro' to take place on Jan. 14th. We're writing material and rehearsing every Tues. at 12:30 at the Centre and would be absolutely over the moon if you could join us! We're looking for anyone who would enjoy helping to get the show off the ground and/or perform in some way. The theme is unemployment which we hope to treat in a lighthearded and satirical way. This is your chance to air your views about the DHSS, UB40 office, YTS and 'The System'. So make your voice heard!! Join us at the Centre next Tues. or ring Jenny on 596639 (mornings). - - - LETTER 7th November 1984 Dear Red Rag, I was in a toy shop the other day (Bagatelle in Henley), and after buying a few things, said to the person on the till, "You have a really nice display of toys here. It's a shame about the SAS action men and guns though." There was a large selection of tanks, guns, (of all shapes and sizes), Action Ken with grenades, knives, scars (but no blood) and such like. The person replied, hesitantly, "Yes, well, they are very popular." I left thinking, "Yes, so is violence but you don't have to sell it." So, back to the beginning... I'm not a lover of war toys and I know they've been around for yonks but with things getting seemingly heavier every year, isn't it time we tried (at least tried) to spread a bit of peace education to our children. Or maybe made an attempt to let the shopkeepers know (yeah, I'm writing to the shop concerned when I've done this) that by selling incredibly realistic war toys they help perpetuate the "violence is exciting and jolly good fun" myth. Likewise comic books that are still glorifying the second world war. No wonder we are such an aggressive and racist nation. I'd be grateful to hear of any ideas that would enable us to slow down the war machine - preferably before Christmas and the big bang. Yours for peace. Paul - - - TOYS OF WAR War Is Not A Game War is the pointless slaughter of people like you Why teach your children to play with death? Toy tanks, guns and rockets don't hurt, it's true. And children like them too. But are they harmless? A child can play at death and get up and have his tea; but weapons that don't look much different from a toy, shoot real bullets and kill real people. Do you went to teach your child to solve problems by killing others? It's a dead-end game. What possible fun can there be in pretending to kill a friend? Indeed, what possible good can it be to kill anyone? Boycott war toys, buy creative toys, buy toys for life not weapons of death Issued by Reading Peace Pledge Union - - - GOING OUT Sunday 11 November Free jazz at The Butler, Chatham St. Readifolk have something on at Caversham Bridge Hotel at 8pm. Des O'Connor is at the Hexagon. 7.30- £4.50 or £5.50. English String Orchestra at South Hill Park, Bracknell, Wilde Theatre, 7.30. £3, £4.50. Against all odds with Jeff Bridges at SHP. 7.45. £1 or £2. Monday 12 November Folk evening with Fred Wedlock at The Bull Hotel, Nettlebed, 8.00. £? A Doll's House by Ibsen, performed by the Actor's Touring Company at Bulmershe College, 7.30. Ring 663387 for more details. Bournemouth Sinfonietta at the Hexagon, play Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Haydn. 7.30. £3-£5. Stephane Grappelli in concert at SHP, Wilde Theatre, 7.30. £6. Educating Rita at SHP, 7.45. £1 or £2. Tuesday 13 November Campus concert 'Music of our time', a concert of 20th century chamber music. Palmer Building, G10, Whiteknights, 1.10pm. £? but cheap. Tudor Arms, free gay disco, 8.00. Misty in Roots at University Students Union, 8-1. £3. Tickets from Music Market, Listen Records or Students Union. Speakeasy at Ondines, Bridge St, Caversham. Good disco. £1.50. Jack Jones in concert at the Hexagon, 8.30. £9.50-£8. Educating Rita at SHP as yesterday. Wednesday 14 November The Girl with the Red Hair at Reading Film Theatre Whitekights Park. 8.00. £1 or £1.70. Dame Hilda Bracket and Dr Evadne Hinge in Tea & Trumpets at the Hexagon, 8.00. £5.50 or £6.50. Educating Rita at SHP as before The Carrier Frequency - a theatre piece by Impact Theatre Group and Russell Hoban. Bulmershe College, 7-30. Ring 663387 & Thurs 15 Thursday 15 November The Dresser with Albert Finney at RFT, 7.30 and 10.00. £1 or £1.70. Surgery Sound System at the Merry Maidens, Shinfield Road. Reggae and funk. £? Black music worldwide at Central Club, London Street. £? The Five Winds (ie wind instruments) at the Great Hall, Reading University, London Road, 8.00. £3 or £1.50 nus or oap. Reading Symphony Orchestra at the Hexagon, play Mussorgsky, Strauss, Wagner and Tippett, 7.30. £3 or £4. Gem-a-ten (local Band) at SHP, 8.00. £1.50-30p. Video workshop screening at SHP, free. 7.45. Actors Touring Company do The Doll's House at SHP this time, 7.30. £3. Friday 16 November Gay disco at the Tudor Arms, 8.00. free. Some like it hot at Paradise Club, London St £?, late bar. ATC in A Doll's House at SHP as before. Beethoven Sonatas Series at SHP with Bernard Roberts, 8.00. £3.25. Carmen (film) at SHP, 7.45 and 11.00. £1 or £2. Saturday 17 November Reading Bach Choir at Caversham Heights Methodist Church, do Haydn, Bach, Purcell. Details from 345179. 48th Brass Band Festival at the Hexagon £1 (50p kids), seemingly all day with, at 7-30, the Birghouse and Rastrick Band £2.50 - £3.50. ATC in The Doll's House at SHP as before. Bob Walser (folk) at SHP, 8.00. £1.20 or £1.50. Carmen (film) at SHP, 7.45 and 11.00. £1 or £2. Miners' benefit: Anthill Mob, Smooching Jews, Sound System. Bulmershe College, 8-late. Donation of £1 to miners' funds. Sunday 18 November Echoes and Reflections - The Trio Zarafan (soprano, clarinet and piano) do the first performance in England of an 18th century aria by Righini. Leighton Park School Hall, Shinfield Road, 3.00. £2 or £1.50. Readifolk at Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8.00. Free jazz at the Butler, Chatham Street. Max Boyce at the Hexagon, 7.30. £5.50 or £6.50. Da Rocha Pastorale - Schubert, Saint-Saens, Bach, Bridge, 7.30 at SHP. £3.25 or £3-50. Carmen (film) as before, SHP. Monday 19 November Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, performed by The New Vic Theatre at the Hexagon. Directed by Bogdanov. 8pm nightly till 24th. £3.50 or £4.50. Swann in Love (film) at SHP, 7.45. £1 or £2. Tuesday 20 November Haydn Choir at St Nicholas Church, Hurst, do Purcell and Bach, 8.00. Adults £2, oaps and children 75p. Gay disco at Tudor Arms, free. Speakeasy at Ondines, Bridge St, Caversham. Good disco, £1.50. Under Milk Wood at the Hexagon as 19th. Fiddler on the Roof at Wilde Theatre, SHP, 7.45. £? A Little Westbrooke Music - modern jazz at SHP, 8.00. £2.20 or £2.50. Swann in love at SHP as 19th. Wednesday 21 November Half a Sixpence by the Shinfield Players in their theatre at Whitley Wood Lane, Shinfield, 7.45. £1.75 or £1.25. Till 24th. Under Fire at RFT, Whiteknights Park, 8.00. £1 or £1.70. Under Milk Wood at The Hexagon again, with matinee at 2.30 today as well. Fiddler on the Roof at SHP as before. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist by Park Theatre Workshop at SHP, 7.45. £2.50. Swann in love at SHP as before. Thursday 22 November Hansel and Gretel - a pantomime by St Lawrence Players at St Georges Hall, St Georges Rd, 7.30. Ring 51501 for details. Marriage, by Nikolai Gogol, at the Progress Theatre, 7.45. £2.20 plus concessions. Till 1st. Celeste at RFT, 8.00. £1 or £1.70. Under Milk Wood at Hexagon as before. Fiddler on the Roof at SHP as before. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist at SHP as before. Shaken not Stirred (local band) at SHP, 8.00. £1.50 - 50p. Surgery Sound System, reggae and funk at Merry Maidens, Shinfield Road Reading University Chamber Orchestra with soprano and trombone. Works by Sibelius, Handel, Beethoven and Gregson. Great Hall, London Road, Reading, 8.00 Friday 23 November Gay disco at Tudor Arms, free. Under Milk Wood still going at Hexagon. Fiddler on the Roof still going at SHP. Beethoven Piano Sonatas Season at SHP with Bernard Roberts, 8.00. £3.25. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist at SHP again as before. The Fifth Independent Video Festival at SHP for three days - loads of tapes, diversity of styles and uses, speakers where possible. Tonight is a music video special with a selection of pop promos, commercial and non-commercial. £? Holly Near and others in Greenham benefit at Oxford Town Hall. 7-30. Phone 0865 726441. Saturday 24 November Berkshire Barn Dance with Joe Hodgson and Bidford Band organised by English Folk Dance and Song Society. Loddon Hall, Twyford, 8.00. Wargrave 2930 for details. 'Bull to the Beatles' - by The Sheba Sound, including works by Handel, Soler, Telemann and more. By Pangbourne Concert Club, Drake Hall, Pangbourne College, 7.30. £3. Ring Pangbourne 3928 or 3277. Wokingham Choral Society do Haydn and Lambert at St Crispins Centre, Wokingham, 7.30. Ring 782248. Under Milk Wood at Hexagon again, and also a matinee at 5pm. Fiddler on the Roof at SHP still. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist at SHP again. Come-all-ye (folk) at SHP, featuring Bob and Gill Berry, 8.00. £1.20 or £1.50. The Fifth Independent Video Festival continues with screenings today. £5 or half price for unwaged (whole day). Music Theatre with Intermedia Geometric Extracts Berio, Tom Johnson, at SHP, 8.00. £2.75 or £1.75. Sunday 25 November Readifolk at Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8.00. Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hexagon, 8.00. £7-£5. The Fifth Independent Video Festival still going at SHP. £5 plus concessions, for day. Soloists and String Orchestra of the Menuhin School at the Wilde Theatre, SHP, 7.30. £3.50-1.50. Monday 26 November Victoria Wood's Lucky Bag at the Hexagon, 8.00. £3.50- £4.50. The Dead Zone (film) at SHP, 7.45. £1 or £2. John can't do the Going Out Guide any more! Help! We need someone new. John is happy to talk to anyone and help anyone who takes it on. Please phone him on 669154 if you are interested. - - - PARLIAMENT MEETS ITS WATERLOO Thames Valley police are still carrying out a massive search of bedsits and council houses in Katesgrove, Newtown and other areas of known dissident sympathies in an attempt to bring to book members of the gang that razed the Houses of Parliament to the ground on November 3, the day before Royal Engineers were due to carry out their annual inspection of the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. Meanwhile two apparently unrelated terrorist organisations were claiming credit for the conflagration. Only minutes after Red Rag's Political Correspondent had received an unstamped envelope containing the message "We done it. Sivic Ofisses are Nex. Katesgrove Hoolican Army - Jay, Lee, Mark, Luke, Timothy and Laura" an anonymous caller telephoned the Recreation Department and repeated the words "Box Office" several times, breathing heavily, before hanging up. In what police described as "obviously a well planned and carefully orchestrated operation" the conspirators avoided drawing attention by dismantling the building and transporting it piece by piece to Waterloo Meadows, where it was cunningly disguised as a pile of cardboard boxes before being set alight in the guise of a bonfire. "Several spectators saw the HP label on the Tower of Westminster", said police, "so we can be sure it was the real thing." Investigators are checking scrap metal yards in the Tadley area for any exceptionally large quantities of bell metal in a search for clues on the theory that the gang removed the chimes and sold them before setting fire to the building. "When the clock struck midnight just as the first flames appeared it sounded like a saxophone and some sort of funny oboe or something, not like Big Ben", one spectator told Red Rag's Roving Reporter. Police are still unsure whether anyone was in the building at the time. A red-shirted figure giving a clenched-fist salute (or waving to the crowd) from a window? in the tower was at first believed to be Martin Salter, MP for the pocket borough of Newtown and Katesgrove, but this was dismissed as mass hallucination when Mr Salter was seen at his desk at the Reading Centre for the Unimpressed as usual on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Late Thursday afternoon, however, speculation as to the true state of affairs was rekindled when the figure believed to be Mr Salter was found to be made of straw. "We didn't notice anything unusual", Mr Salter's secretary Stella Artois told reporters. The investigation is continuing. Scharzando Manontroppo - - - WHOLEFOODS ARE GOOD FOR YOU! Despite contrary reports, I still think that provided one keeps to the cheaper, basic lines, it is better health-wise and pocket-wise to be a Wholefooder! Your local shop isn't really out to rook you, but anyway, if you're eating on a budget, steer clear of the luxury lines and make for the shelves of beans, pulses and grains which are still amazing value for money, as well as being adaptable and nutritious. Look for 'own brand' wholemeal flours to make your own bread; also peanuts, fifs and dates are still very good value, as are 'own brand' yeast extracts. Look out for discontinued lines, 'special offers' & 'bargain boxes' and plan your week's menu around these. Remember that a diet based on grains and pulses provide ideal protein balance, and with the addition of fruits, vegetables and herbs, together with a modest amount of dairy produce, is still about the best you can find for your health and your pocket. With care, £1.00 per person per day should be enough. Think big! If your household is too small, band together with friends and bulk buy. Wholefood shops are only too happy to give vou a big discount on complete sacks of flour, oats etc. and usually on smaller bulk as well. TVP (soya protein) is amazing value in bulk, and very adaptable. If you all like peanut butter and honey, consider large tubs of these. Ask for other pre-packed foods tinned or bottled, in dozens. No garden? Sprouting is the answer here, to provide you with necessary vitamins and minerals throughout the winter months. Most whole grains and beans sprout well. Also grow herbs and cresses on your kitchen window-sill. Cheap vegetables! Apart from the obvious (Reading market late on Saturday!) try your local greengrocer for 'throwouts'; if you're shy, pretend they are for your rabbits. Find out which days he gets new stock in. The evening before, he should have plenty of wilted goods going cheap or free. Wash well, cut out blemishes and use all of the fruit or veg possible - outer leaves of cabbage contain more Vitamin C, carrot tops, turnip tops, beet tops are all good if only for vegetable stock. Beverages: Home-made herb tea and grain coffee is much better for you, being without tannin and caffeine. Make 'coffee' like this:- Take a selection of grain (wheat or barley) & beans (chick peas, soya beans etc) and dry roast them in the oven until dark brown. When cool, mill them down very fine in electric blender, and use one teaspoon per cup of boilinp water. Hilary Craddock - - - COMMUNITY ARTS SKILLS REGISTER This Register is being sat up by Southern Arts with the assistance of the Southern Association for Community Arts. It is being established in response to a growing demand from community groups to employ community artists on short term projects e.g. silkscreen courses, and murals, community festivals, slide/tape projects, etc. The Register will list the skills of artists resident, or able to work, in the Southern Arts region, who are willing to work on short term projects and have an understanding and experience of community arts. When the Register has been compiled Community groups will be able to consult it when planning a project and Southern Arts will fund the employment of people on the Register from a specific annual allocation. Priority will be given to the employment of artists resident in the region. Artists wishing to join the Register should complete the application form. Applicants work will be assessed by a panel consisting of three members of the Southern Association for Community Arts, one Southern Arts Officer and one Southern Arts Advisory Panel member. Application forms are available by writing to Cxx Arts, P.O. Box 20, Acorn, 17 Chatham St. - - - VEGGIE DINING NEWS Veggie Dining goes African The next Veggie Dining (Friday Nov 16th) is going to be African. The food will have an African theme and all attendants must wear something African. All tickets will be 50p more expensive than usual so we can give about £20 to Ethiopian famine relief. Help is still needed with cooking and entertainments. Veggie Dining goes to the Caribbean A miners' benefit to be held at the Paradise Club will want veggies for more than 40 probably not miners. The date has not yet been set but it won't be a Veggie Friday. Beans on wheels Derek has a V-dub we can use to take hot food to Greenham. There will be a cooks' meeting at Derek and Valeria's on the evening of Wed 14th November at 44 Gosbrook Rd, Caversham (493416). Some people have committed themselves to doing it once or twice a month, We know that we can organise regular trips and that their frequency depends on the number of people who can help. We not only need cooks but munny (help with fundraising) and food (try going into Marks and Sparks and asking for a donation). Good eats, Mike 583459 - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1984/1984-11-11.txt#3 $