RED RAG Reading's Only Spot On Newspaper Special 6th Anniversary Edition Sept 1st - 14th Free Fortnightly Next co-ordinator: Mark - 782178 Copy date: Thurs 12th September News: Clive or James: 595605 Events: Mark: 92-680051 Going Out: Mark: 782178 Advertising: James: 595605 Distribution: Pogle: 92-680051 Red Rag, c/o Box 79, 17, Chatham Street Reading - - - FIVE GO INTO ALDERMASTON Nagasaki Day, August 9th, 1985, women broke into A.W.R.E. (Aldermaston Weapons Research Establishment), Aldermaston, and 'phoned the Press Association to draw attention to the connection between Nagasaki and what goes on at Aldermaston. Six weeks earlier, June 25/28, 5 women were tried at Reading Crown Court on charges of criminal damage to two fences at A.W.R.E., Aldermaston, on June 12th 1984. These actions continue in the hope that one day someone may hear what is being said. Neither the trial nor the issues it raised seem to have had any press coverage, it is only through Red Rag or through the 'grapevine' that anyone can get to know. In June 1985 5 women cut through 2 fences and spent an hour inside A.M.R.E. Whilst there they noticed certain buildings and areas of land labelled as dangerous... "Risk of Contamination". It was after realising that they had crawled over one such area that the women became frightened, returned to Greenham and handed themselves in to be checked. They were, supposedly, cleared, though it has been pointed out that no test exists to show radioactive waste that has been inhaled and is present in the lungs. Security staff who appeared as witnesses at the trial had not, it seemed, been instructed about radiation or how to act in an emergency when contamination is suspected. A main reason for entering A.W.R.E. was to test Security: it proved so easy to enter that they felt it could have been done by children, as a prank, unaware of the risks. One of the fences they cut had open ends anyway. Easy it was for women to enter, their evidence and cross-examination of witnesses showed that various forms of wildlife (birds, rabbits, hedgehogs, as well as smaller creatures) move freely between A.W.R.E. and the surrounding countryside. (There is a market garden across the road), implying risks to that wildlife and the danger of transmitting radioactive contamination through the environment. Until now the authorities have refused requests from local residents that they should be tested for contamination. One notable local, Mrs. Joan Ruddock, confirmed that this was so. Under cross-examination she also explained that it is national C.N.D. policy to support the actions of people such as the defendants who used carefully thought-out, non-violent action in pursuit of their views. The illegal importation of uranium from Namibia, a big issue for all the defendants, was exposed, and confirmed by expert witnesses. In importing and refining this uranium and using it in the manufacture of warheads at A.W.R.E., Britain is breaking international law. Moreover, the women saw their action as directed partly at protecting the Namibian miners and their families who live and work in appalling conditions, suffering severe health risks, under the policies of the S. African regime. In his summing up, Judge Faulkes said that he had allowed, discussion of these and other 'irrelevant' issues because he was impressed by the womens' sincerity and concern about the effects of radiation, and said that it was important for everyone to be aware of what is going on. The charge against the women was that they had caused criminal damage 'without lawful excuse'. Their 'Not Guilty' plea was based on the excuse that they asked for the defense and protection of themselves and others (including Namibian miners). This the judge dismissed as an unacceptable plea. And yet... in passing, he referred to C.N.D. as a 'well-respected body' and mentioned his own strong disapproval of S. African policies in Namibia. "Whatever sympathy I may feel," he said, (for the sincerity of their views and for their frustration at their failure to achieve progress in their opposition to apartheid), "I cannot condone a criminal act". The defendants made sure there was an all-women jury for this trial, and for most people that felt right. It was also felt that the trial was conducted fairly and the women made a point of thanking the judge for this. There had been a good feeling throughout, and it seemed that the policy of trying not to antagonise the judge and court did work in so far as serious issues were discussed; it looks as though this was an unusual judge, too. It was too much to hope for a 'Not Guilty' verdict, but at least the sentences were less harsh than they might have been. All five women were given Conditional Discharge, with £30 each to pay, in costs, for the fence; each had to pay £50 towards the costs of the trial, with the one woman now in employment to pay £100. How can we explain the lack of press coverage for a trial which exposed so many vital issues? Whatever the reason, those who do know will have to pass the news; we have to remember too the cost to the women in the action and trial, in terms of finance as well as energy; some are still in debt as a result. Any donations will really be a help. So if you can, please sent them c/o Aldermaston Trial Fund, Box 584, Acorn Bookshop. Val, Sue, Deborah and others, Greenham Support Group. - - - ZAPPING AT GREENHAM No doubt women have heard rumours about some kind of radiation affecting women living at Greenham. The facts are as follows:- Symptoms Nose bleed; pressure in forehead, temples and ears; pain in glands in parotid region; swelling of tongue resulting in slurred speech; dizziness/ bleeding gums; 'sun-burned' face at night in mid-winter; pressure in chest; palpitations; nausea; vaginal discharge; loss of hair; change in menstrual pattern, post-menopausal bleeding; persistent rash; impaired memory (particularly short-term); disorientation; profound depression; unreasonable panic. A number of women are suffering a range of symptoms which are giving cause for concern. This has mainly been reported from Green Gate. It affects different women in different ways, and different age groups seem to be experiencing different symptoms. Because of the nature of Greenham, with women coming and going all the time, some visiting frequently, and some feeling ill after only one-visit, it has been extremely difficult to find any pattern, and to follow up many of those who have experienced distress, Many women who were feeling unwell did not at first communicate their anxieties to other women, and it was only after some time that this came to be discussed, and then women found that others were experiencing some very odd sensations too. It is difficult to establish just how long this has been going on, but it seems that it has been continuous since September 1984. Although it may have been intermittent before then, but gone unremarked. Women from the camp, with the help of supporters have been investigating the problem for almost a year. Our investigations indicate that the symptoms are due to exposure to some form of low-level radiation, such as electro-magnetism, extra-low or extra-high frequency sound waves, micro-waves, infra-red light, etc. This could be either deliberate or incidental to the operation of the base. Almost all of the research in this field has either been suppressed or done by the military, therefore it is proving very difficult to come up with conclusive evidence. Although various theories have been suggested, and rumours abound, we I do not yet know exactly what is making us ill, or where it is coming from. Women visiting the camp should be aware that there may be long-term health risks, especially for women who are, or intend to be pregnant. Anyone with any information which might be helpful, please get in touch with women at: Green Gate, Women's Peace Camp, USAF Greenham Common, Newbury, Berks. - - - GREENHAM - the latest Green and Common Newsletter is now available at Acorn Bookshop - 28 pages - 30p. All monies go to Greenham. Please show your support. - - - UPDATE ON THE WOMENS CENTRE It now looks very likely that the Women's Centre will be able to keep its premises in Old Shire Hall for another 3 months - nothing's going to be done with the building before then. It means there may be time to fix up a new place before we're homeless. The campaign meetings are one person better off since the last message in the Rag. Anyone who wants to practise their handwriting by writing lobbying letters to people, or who fancies roaming the streets identifying possible premises would be very very welcome. We could also do with help in maintaining the pregnancy testing service - which we're trying to do at the same time as campaign and collective business - if you're not interested in campaigning, maybe you could take this on weekly / fortnightly / monthly?? - it's very easy. Details from Sue 665806. Next meeting, 3 September, 6.30, Women's Centre, basement of Old Shire Hall, Abbey Street. - - - STOP ACID RAIN DEMO The CEGB produces more airborne sulphur dioxide than any other organisation in Western Europe. It is economically and technically possible to clean up our industrial emissions - yet the CEGB refuses to do so. To protest against this refusal Friends of the Earth are holding the first national Stop Acid Rain rally at Didcot power station - one of the worst polluters. The date has had to be changed from Sept.l4th to Sat. Sept. 28th as the original date coincided with the Abingdon Air Show. The police weren't happy with the plans for a mass balloon release on the same day. Please come. Assemble at Didcot railway station 11pm. Mass balloon release 3pm (to represent unseen sulphur dioxide pollution). Bring an umbrella - preferably one with holes in it! Reading FoE may be running transport if we can get enough people. Please ring or write if you're interested. 27 Instow Road, Earley. Tel.868260 - - - BODY A Doctor writes As a doctor, I'm often asked by the parents of young children, "Doctor, what can we do to guard against the tragedy of 'cot death'?" Unfortunately, with the present state of research, it is not posible for doctors to give a satisfactory answer to this question. 'Cot death' is the term used to describe a condition where an otherwise healthy child is found dead in its cot in the morning. The reason is often baffling. However, sometimes we see clues to the cause such as a virus infection of the distinctive damage caused by being shot in the chest by a .38 calibre Police Special. This latter condition, what doctors call Coppus Cowboyus, is a direct result of the child coming into close contact with a police officer infected with the condition known as Bodie and Doyleitis. The term 'cot death' is, in fact, inaccurate as the condition can also attack the unborn child. This condition, what we doctors call Riocoppus Stonehengicus, can be easily diagnosed by examining the pregnant woman involved for evidence of bleeding from the head, and bruising to the face, arms and abdomen. So far young children seem to have some resistance to Riocoppus Stonehengicus and an attack may only result in slight cuts and a cot full of broken glass. Like so many diseases today, such as heart disease, lung cancer, starvation, etc, this condition is a result of the way we choose to live in this modern world. Nothing short of total social revolution will change that. In the meantime I can only advise concerned parents to take the precaution of affixing to their child's bedroom door a notice which reads, "Caution: Sleeping children. Please do not kill them." Zed - - - SPIRIT! Throw Them To The Lions Many of you will be aware that a group of evangelical christians are planning to converge on Reading in four marches and hold a prayer-meeting in the abbey ruins. Their advance publicity states that they intend to drive out "Covens, sects, and occult practices" from the town. They call for "Prayer warriors ... to don their spiritual armour and join the mighty arm of god in this battle." As members of a local coven of witches, we rather resent this. Witchcraft, for those of you whose knowledge comes mainly from the News of The Worms, is more properly called paganism, and a witch is one who follows the old pre-Christian, pagan ways. Brought down to its bare essentials, we revere the earth as our mother, and all living things upon it as her children. This necessarily involves a stand against nuclear weapons, nuclear power, the destruction of our environment and so on. We are arranged in small autonomous covens; there is no central authority, no holy writ to obey and the internal structure and decisions within a coven are determined by a concensus of its members; (and if you think that sounds like anarchism, you could be right). Our rituals are celebrations and affirmations of our lives and the life of the Earth. The actions of this latter-day inquisition are not just an attack on witches however; remember, these are the people, the "moral minority" who in america elected a president like Ronald Ray-gun, these are the people who believe that all women are accursed because of eve and the apple (they point to menstruation as the evidence of this). These are the people who say that all who do not believe in their god will be tortured in the flames of hell for evermore. These are the people who in the USA have held services to bless nuclear missiles, because wiping out godless commies is "the work of the lord". In the middle ages, over nine million people in Europe were burnt as witches. Not so much because they were non-christian, although that was a reason, but more because witches were the women and men who organised opposition amongst the peasantry to the repressive measures of the feudal lords, such as the land enclosures. Many of those burnt were probably not witches as such, but simply people who protested to loudly, or who practised natural healing. In those days an accusation by a man of "good repute" was usually enough to secure a conviction, and never mind the evidence. The modern counterparts of the witch-burners seem bent on reviving the persecution, because we stand for everything they hate. Love, life and liberty. Anyone who wishes to oppose these "Warriors of Christ" whether they consider themselves witches or not, 'should contact us with any ideas for action, or for information about this or witchcraft in general at: Box 13, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street, Reading. Or alternatively, just turn up at the abbey ruins on the 14th September (check the press for time, but probably early afternoon-ish) prepared to be vocal. Don't let them bring back the stake; or whatever its modern counterpart may be; because when they've finished burning the witches, they'll probably start burning the rest of you. Love and Blessed Be,, Coven Appleheart - - - THE DOTTY GOING OUT GUIDE "A midwest monster / Of the highest grade / All my teachers thought / It was growing pain - oh no no..." Substantially less right-on than a vegan takeaway wrapped in a copy of Class War, nonetheless I once again eagerly take up my pen & your time, suggestions for fulfilling the approve gregarious social role include:- Noon Friday 6th Sept - Dawn Monday 9th Doris's 20th Birthday Party ((A) Free Festival) All friends of Doris very welcome. Workshops in: kite making new games vocal workshops whatever you want to do juggling creative use of TV theatre Musical friends of Doris who say they want to come & play at some point: Here & Now (spacerock) Nik Turner's Inner City Unit (ditto) Conflict (London punks) Ozric Tentacles (Wimbledon - spacey) The Larkins (ex Soft Dogs: pop) Fresh Fields (rock/reggae) John Delahunty (Reading's finest) Charas (reggae) Royal Monkeys (Reading) Insect Matinee (-"-) The Escapists (2 chord thrash) The Gathering Slave Dance & No Defences (London punk) Barcelona Bus Cmpany (Bracknell punk) Diatribe Magic Mushroom Band (Bracknell) Earthlore (Basingtoke) Funktion at the Junction (fast & furious, slow & sweet) Pandemonium Dance Ensemble (improvisation, jazz, dance) Chocolate Teapot (reggae) Lost Weekend (songs of drinking & death) Hastings of Malawi (fast & furious again) Emotional Jacuzzi Geisha Girls (stars) Red for Go The Shakin' Snakes No set "running order", as has been repeatedly pointed out, this is not "Reading Rock". Childrens play area, toilets, camp site, food, bar, first aid, all available on the site. Everyone welcome. Come along and Do Something!! (if you want to). Behind Earley Power Station, Reading (off Shepherd's Hood Lane...) Monday Sept 2: Free Festival meeting: don't tell Doris, or the surprise will be spoiled. Box 19 at Acorn for details. Silks, Bath Rd, Thatcham - evidently top secret... Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley - jazz, soul & funk in genuine period plastic. Til 11pm. The Albion Oxford Rd - Pete James Jazz Band, 8, free. "Deserts & Canyons of the American Wild West" - lecture!! phone 586945 for details. Henley Exhibition Centre (- Market Place): women artists, free, til Sept 7th. SHP - "The Never Ending Story" (U) 2pm / 7.45, £2.50: schoolboy absorbed into mysterious story (shock). Stay in, tune in to Bonny Prince Charlie, 106FM, 9.30 - 11.45: roots rock reggae. Tuseday Sept 3: Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Rd - free disco: once known as the town's gay pub, but now very much out of favour in some circles after several gay people were banned following criticism of sexist beermats. Make up your own mind (of course!!). Out of Town Club - Suko. Who? Dodgy poster. SHP - "The Never Ending Story" (U) 2pm / 7.45, £2.50. Wednesday Sept 4: Happy Birthday to Chris! Coronation Hall, Woodley - talk on "Pubs & Beers" by wine circle people. £3 to join & 40p per month. I'd rather spend it on a 4 pack of special brew. Why not call Doris and see what sort of treat she'd like for her birthday? Reading Town Hall - organ recital, 1.10pm, free. Open Garden - Hurst Lodge (A321, 7 miles E of Reading) - plants, teas, 50p. 2pm-5.30. New Yorker, Queens Walk - 60s disco til 11pm. European Folk Dancing - Friends Meeting House, off Southampton St, 7.45-10.00. £1. SHP - film as yesterday. Thursday Sept 5: Happy Birthday Greenham!! Stag & Hounds, Pinkeys Green - folk: Stanley Accrington. Cross Keys (Nr Butts) - country music, 8.15, free. SHP - Cellar Bar: Undercover Club - £1.50 / 50p: Buckshot (cabaret / rock). Boars Head - live band? or disco? New exhibitions at SHP - sculpture til 10th: colour, wax, & sculptures based on musical instruments. Paradise - dance hall reggae: Mr Spaulding & Apollo All Star Breakdancers & Lion Roots Sound & Volcano Hi-Power Sound. £3 before 10.30, £4 after. Friday Sept 6: Happy Birthday Doris (1) See separate entry for Doris's 20th Birthday Party. SHP - 10pm - performance of "Inner Colour" - sculpture based on computerised images. Sounds worth a visit. Oom-pah evening - Reading Bacchus: the best in Prussian sexism, gluttony & kulturmangel. Details - 470328. Friday live at SHP - £3, 10-2, food available. The Thin Line (blues / r'n'r / pop). Tudor Arms - a disco. But in a gay pub?? See 3rd. Lord Raglan, Wokingham - Dixie jazz, 8.15, free. Surrogate confederacy for casuals? Lamb, Eversley - folk: Sheila March & Alison Muir, 8.30ish, free. SHP - "Johnny Dangerously" (15) 7.45pm £2.50. One brother's the gangster, t'other the D.A. Dove, off Rupert St, Cemy Junction - hassle-free pub. Where gay people can have a nice evening out. Saturday Sept 7: Happy Birthday Doris (2) Free Festival - see separate bit. SHP Folk in Ye Cellar Barre: Sarah Morgan & Meryeagle (harmony singing & dulcimer, guitar & harmonium), 8pm, £1.80. Folk Dance - Watlington House, Watlington St. 7.30, £1.25 tickets - Terry 415578. Oh, and you get an "American supper", bound to be carcenogenic. Christchurch, top of Kendrick Rd - chamber music 7.30, £1.50. Greenham Pheonix weekend. Natural History walk - Baynes Reserve, Greenham! Hey - party! Bring your bolt cutters!! Oxford 775475 for details. SHP - "Johnny Dangerously" (15) 7.45 / 10.30. South Reading Community Centre, N'Land Ave - horticultural show. 3-5pm. Free. Who says I don't give you variety... Paradise - Four Friends of the Free Art (jazz & funk) & Back Beat. £2.50. 8-am. Henley - Live Aid, in the meadow by the river (how picturesque): The Gathering, The Complaints, Second Emotion, Anonymous Mice (who thinks of these names), Fair Exchange, The Thin Live. 12noon - 10pm. Mass charity mobilisation or consumer conscience salve? One thing, these local bands won't get the publicity out of it that Geldof, Bowie, U2, Queen etc did (watch those sales rocket...) So they've got much less of an ulterior motive. Sunday Sept 9: Happy Birthday Doris (3) Free Festival - see special in depth exclusive probe elsewhere (eg the Ev'nin' Pose). Hex - Spectacular Times... Tremloes, Troggs, Love Affair & Dozy, Beaky, Mick, Titch... 7.30. £5/6. I'm a child of the 60s and this means precisely ... Yeah, man. Forbury Gardens - Silver Band, 3-4.30, free. Henley Exhibition Centre - Market Place: Gina Edwards, free (til 14th). SHP - "Johnny Dangerously" (15) 7.45/10.30, £2.50. Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel - 8.15. Dick Miles. Butler, Chatham St - The modern jazz stylings of Clem Adelman and pricey Fullers Beer. 8.15 free. Elm Park - military tattoo; 7.30-10.00pm. Costly, and yet (wow) you get the 1812 Overture, macho bigots in identical clothes, and fireworks. Calling all friends of Doris? Monday Sept 9: Don't Stop the Party... Silks, Thatcham - apparently don't care if Rag readers don't know what bands are on. Thatchers, Woodley - soul / funk / plastic Tutor 8-11. Hex - Wrestling Spectacular. 7.30. £2+. Corpulent tag team challenge. Is this what happens when you eat 3 Shredded Wheats? SHP - "A Man Like Eva" (18) 7.45 £2.50. Based on the life of wonderful film director Fassbinder. Bonny Prince Charlie - 106FM Roots & Culture, 9.30-11.45pm. All aboard! Tuesday Sept 10: Tudor Arms - disco in what was Reading's approximation of a Gay pub? SHP - "Outer - Inner Colour" performance (see also 6th) 7.30. Sounds good. Cricket Club, Church Rd, Earley: organ concert, 8pm, £1.25. SHP - "A Man Like Eva" (18) 7.45 £2.50. Out of Town Club - Paradise - Royal Monkeys (ex Fab Falling Angels) (gothic?) plus guests. Wednesday Sept 11: New Yorker - 60s disco til 11pm. SHP - "A Man Like Eva" (18) 7.45 £2.50. Hex - Business exhibition: gloat gloat on the pounds & groats. Is a UB40 a suitable entrance pass? 10-7.30, eggs and flour bombs are optional. Eurofolk - Gamble around the Balkans (see 4th) Decidedly boring, Wednesdays. Why? Thursday Sept 12: Boars Head, Friar St - Funktion at the Junction, 8.30, free. Video jukebox, lager lounge lizards, Falklands display. Stag & Hounds, Pinkeys Green, M'head - folk @8ish. Ellington Morris. Cross Keys, nr Butts - country music 8.15 free. Undercover Club, SHP Cellar, The Thin Line (blues r'n'r) £1.50 / 50p UB40, 8pm. Collective therapy - the Red Rag editorial: phone me for details. Come along & criticise freely. SHP "This is Spinal Tap" (15) 7.45 £2.50. Hex - more capitalist exhibitions. Fuck 'em! Paradise - the ranking Miss P: Radio One reggae DJ. Nice to see women reggae performers but do they play women's reggae? Friday Sept 13: stay in, bolt all the doors and don't tempt fate by going out to... Tudor Arms - another disco, another bit of thinking. Macrobiotics - meeting / meal 100 Northumberland Ave 7pm. Phone 860813 in advance. Lord Raglan (Wokingham) - Dixie jazz, 8.30ish. All southern gentlemen welcome. Angies, Wokingham - Pendragon (Camel soundalikes but they don't spit says my resident expert...) Lamb at Eversley - folk, 8ish, free. Singers night. Friday Live, SHP - 10-2, £3, food available. SHP Cinema - "Dance with a Stranger (15) 7.45, £2:50. Miranda Richardson as Ruth Ellis, last woman to be hanged in Britain. Hex - come on down day bloody three... Smallmead Stadium - Live Aid concert. Conscience cleanser, or??? The Dove, off Rupert St - a friendlier welcome for gay people than at the Tudor? Paradise - The Stingrays (psychobilly) & The Crumpettes & The Coffin Nails. Swingin' in the crypt... £2:50. Saturday Sept 14: Hex - The Pogues, 8pm, £4. Irish booze fuelled folk, decidedly wallowing in the gutter. Impress your friends and do a flat top count. Hex - Red for Go, 12.15, free. Leighton Park Concert Hall - Reading Youth Orchestra 7.30. Tickets £3. 61506 mornings. Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley - Carnival Barn Dance: music by "Berkshire Tragedy". Rather fitting for Lower Earley (speaking as an ex-inmate). Tel 68306. SHP folk - Graham & Eileen PrattL 8pm £1:80 vocal duo. SHP Cinema - "Dance with a Stranger (15) 7.45 & 10.30. Glue Party - Red Rag pasteup. Phone me nearer the date for where. Sunday Sept 15: Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8.15, free. Butler, Chatham St - jazz: Clem Adelman, 8ish, free. Red Rag hangover cure @ Acorn - fold & distribute. 11am->. Help v welcome. Hex - jazz night. Kennyball, Chris Baker & Acker Bilk. Trad toot toot. 8pm. £6/7. Cheap, eh? SHP - Academy of St. Martins-in-the-Fields: Handel, Vivaldi, Shostakovitch, The Cramps (eh?) 7.30, £3:50-£5:50. Wear a tie. Forbury Gardens - military band concert 3-4.30. Nice little number eh boys? Better than being blown to little bitties in Ulster... Look out for: (coming your way...) Greenham benefit at the Paradise this week War Games at the Hex 21/22 SHP Country weekend same dates (yee - ha...) Cracked Actor's Theatre list: Hexagon - "Compo Plays Cupid" (w/ Bill Owen) Sept 2-7: 8pm & 2pm Sat. Mat. 591591 for ticket prices, I haven't got O-level maths... Hexagon - "Smurfs in Space" Sept 3-7. 1pm. £1.90. Quick, tell Ronnie: they're bound to have missile destroying satellites. SHP - "The Bourgeios Gentleman" (Moliere) 12th-14 Sept 7.30, £2:50-4:50. Actors touring company: climber invites loads of artists round to his place but they have the last laugh and steal his booze. Watermill Theatre, Bagnor nr Newbury - "Sleuth" (Anthony Shaffer) thriller, 10th Sept - 5th Oct. Newbury 46044. Key: Hex - Reading Hexagon Theatre. Phone 591591. SHP - South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell: 0344 484123. Paradise - Paradise Club, 112 London St: 576847. Blurb: All vicious rumours, backbiting & genuine information would be most welcome. Together with what you think "Going Out should be about. Phone 782178 before 10.30pm. Lots of love, Mark - - - SMALL ADS Hi, a young, quiet, working, vegetarian, smoker, liker of 'good' music and country walks is seeking accommodation no more than £70 - £85 pcm. Ring Mark on:- Checkendon 680051. Urgently wanted - any old posters, paintings, drawings, collages, Old Master etc to help decorate Kids Home. Contact Gordon - 55763. Travellers! Plane ticket for sale (Sept. 17th), Frankfurt - Saloniki (Greece), only £35 o.n.o.!! Phone 68330. Vegetarian couple, one woodsman, one student urgently seek accommodation in/around Reading, both non-smokers. Ring Jo or Martin on 53533. The "Community Engineer" is available to do all sorts of repair work: radios, washing machines, hoovers, HiFis etc. Anything considered; rates cheap & negotiable; barter considered. Leave a note in box 999, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. - - - NO BULL FROM RED RAG (Evening Post - August 24th) Fair comment... Frankly, I have every sympathy for the old soldiers who were extremely angry that more attention was paid to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings than was given to the anniversary of their release from horrific Japanese torture and murder. But, having said that, I like the remarks in Red Rag - Reading's so-called alternative news-paper - on that shadow-painting incident to mark the Hiroshima holocaust. "It's a shame the council insisted on wiping the streets clean, when the rain would have done it soon enough," they say. "If a bomb did drop, who would bother washing the walls?" And: "Unlike the shadows left by a nuclear holocaust, the images painted on the streets are non-permanent." - - - MONEY'S TOO TIGHT TO MENTION "Money is short, Red Rag is long." Well, 10 pages or so. But we make 1,600 copies of those. And we have to pay for them. And we need your money! It's as simple as that. You can put it in our collecting tins at Acorn, Harvest, the Elephant, Reading Whole Foods, Rag Doll or Eurofoods. Postal Orders or cheques (to 'Red Rag' "and don't stint on the zeros") to our usual address: Box 79 at Acorn Bookshop. Best of all, ask for a standing order form to make a regular payment that way, as nearly 40 of us do at the moment. We also accept paid advertising at £12 for a half page and £7 for a quarter. (Small ads are free as are listings in Events and Going Out.) - - - READING BETWEEN THE LINES Reading Between the Lines 1985-6 will hit the streets, kiss the ground or bite the dust on Monday September 24th. There will be a grand party to collate the pages on Sunday 23rd. Details of time and venue in the next issue. Is your group in? Don't rely on us - we're as inefficient as you are. Wed. Sept. 11th is the very latest for further information. Meanwhile corrections and additions to all sections still begged for. Also black and white photos. Advertisements (at £15 for a half page, $10 for quarter). From then, help with typing. Contact James on 595605. Or c/o Box 200, Acorn, 17 Chatham Street, Reading. - - - RED RAG What is Red Rag? Is it Reading's only newspaper? An indispensible source of local information? A forum for the self-indulgent and self-important? A continuous experiment in collective, de-centralised organisation? Who knows? It's over five years old, anyway, fortnightly and free. 1600 copies of each issue are printed; two thirds of these go to various shops and other outlets, the remainder to people's doors. Red Rag depends on its readers for articles as well as for money. Copy should be legible, should have some signature at the bottom, and a phone number or address for us in case we want to discuss it with you. Our address is c/o Box 79, 17 Chatham Street, Reading, - - - ON THE SPOT EVENTS Sun 1st Sept. Sponsored fun ride, leave Queen Vic's status 10.30am. R.C.A.B.C. meeting 6.30 probably at the R.C.V. details Andrea Rdg. 589036. Come and stop Chickenhead. Red Rag collating and distribution. Mon. 2nd. D.Oris's birthday party meeting 9.00pm contact box 19 Acorn bookshop. Tues. 3rd. think up something to do at D.Oris's party. Wed. 4th. Reading Community Health Council public meeting 2.30pm 10 Gun St. Reading, about "Proposed closure of Prospect Park Hospital, and strategic and capital programme 1984-1994". Thur. 5th. 4th anniversary Greenham Common Peace Camp. Rdg. and B'stoke S.W.P. meet @ Wellington Arms Whitely St, 8.00pm details Rdg. 596724. Fri. 6th. Doris's party starts at midday. New games @4.00pm vocal workshops 7.00pm more to follow. Sat. 7th. D.Oris's party still happening, new games 4pm, vocal w'shops 6pm. Pheonix weekend at Greenham. B.C.V. create a pond for B.B.O.N.T at Inkpen Common details Peter Edge B'nell 420242 x2343 day, W'ham 781041. Sun. 8th. Yeah for D.Oris games at 4.00pm vocal at 7.00pm. B.C.V. same as Sat 7th. Elm Park Military showoff 7.30-10.00 costs to get in Doris we need you. Parents concerned about the nuclear threat and your kids future? an informal meeting with videos and discussion contact Carole or John Rdg. 479704. Mon. 9th. Signing up time for Reading Tech. courses 2-5pm 6.15-8.30pm. Details 583501. Doris goes home at dawn take care. Tues. 10th. Sign up for tech courses same Mon. 9th. Wed. 11th. Sign up for tech courses same as Mon. 9th. Thur. 12th. Red Rag copy day and editorial phone coordinator for data. R.C.A.B.C. public meeting @ Avenue School Basingtoke Rd. 7.30pm help stop Chicken Brain. "More than Live Aid - How there can be real 3rd World development" talk and discussion with John Tanner from the World Development Movement 7.30pm 22 Hemdean Rd. Caversham. Fri. 13th. Manchester CND Womens weekend for peace and justice details phone 061 236 1588. Sat. 14th. Chile Solidarity demo London assemble 2.00pm. Temple Lane (Strand) nearest tube Temple circle line. New moon. Sun. 15th. Red Rag collating and distribution party. R.C.A.B.C. campaign meeting R.C.Y. 6.30pm labourers needed to help put inserts into rag turn up for collating party. B.C.V. Shepperlands Farm Finchampstead details Peter Edge B'nell 420242 x2343 day, W'ham 781041 eve. Mon. 16th. Red Action blockade at Faslane. Red is for danger Anger Bloodshed of war and stop. - - - DORIS' BIRTHDAY PARTY Vocal Workshop For those with a voice and those who haven't discovered it yet. 6th Sept - 6pm 7th - 6pm 8th - 7pm New Games 6th Sept - 4pm 7th - 4pm 8th - 2pm - - - Paradise Club London St FOUR FRIENDS AND FREE ART (from London) Beat Back Band £2.50 on door Sat 7 Sept. - - - "SHH! DON'T TELL DORIS..." Kids of all ages may be required to leave their adults at home. To celebrate 20 years of anarchists in Reading, there is to be a free festival. An exercise in the revolution of our pleasures. The are no "organisers" to decide what form it will take; just a loose co-ordination of some elements that some of think are important. But that leaves plenty of room for other people's initiative and sponteneity. If you ever wanted to do something creative and never felt the occasion was right, try it at Doris's Birthday Party. We hope everyone will enjoy themselves, that we will all be able to cope with each others' freedom and not try to control other people's wishes and desires. That said, we also think our planet deserves a lot more respect than it is usually given, so we hope everyone will act caringly and responsibly towards their environment as well as each other. Somebody has heard form a very reliable little bird that a stage will appear. So will a sound system. So will loads of bands. See the Going Out Guide for some details but don't be surprised if every band plays at a different time on a different day to that suggested. I expect it will be chaos of a sort; if we can learn to relax and accept chaos in trivial thing, we may find it invigouratingly easy to allow important things to develop their own patterns and order. The people who try to impose "order" are the frantic fools who spend all their lives fighting and worrying. For those who wish to participate, there will be a variety of workshops / playgroups. Explore and develop the power and inspiration of your own voice in a vocal workshop. No singing expertise essential. Discover that even you can learn to juggle, with a little guidance practice and playfulness. Wonder what on earth is going on (and give up asking why) in a co-operative games session. Some people will have kite-making materials, and a little idea of how to convert them into airbourne objects of delights. If someone else can get the right weather sorted out (any volunteers?), we could fly the,. No doubt assorted weirdos will be astounding their friends and enemies with bizarre face painting ("How not to be recognised by Auntie Ethel on the TV news...") Help There are still a number of practical things that may come in useful that you may have lying in the back of your garage. How about any of the following: carpets; chairs; tables; rope; generators; tarpaulins; firewood; fire extinguishers; banners; water containers; paint; lighting; boards; old TVs; toys; toys; toys; foodstalls; kids activities; sideshows; more jugglers... There are also a few skills that might be very useful to have around. Generator mechanics, steeple jacks, homeopathic brain surgeons... I doubt if Doris's 20th Birthday Party will be anything at all like Reading Rock. I certainly hope not. Any rip-off merchants, thugs, bureaucrats, police and animal- or human-molestors can expect an ostile reception of one sort or another... We are not about to disrupt the centre of Reading and its nauseous commercial life; nor do we wish to cause yet more trees to be destroyed in the generation of bureaucratic files of irrelevance. We certainly don't plan to occupy Reading Gaol or police station. We are just normal human beings planning to enjoy ourselves in the ways that we choose. Bring whatever toy would like others to find. Some people have been a little concerned about the legal status of any "goings on". We may be moving toward a totalitarian fascist state; but it is not yet illegal to stroll down the Thames, as thousands of people have done before; to sit on the grass and enjoy the sunshine; to listen to the music, to eat flapjacks or mushroom pie, to fly kites, talk, sing, make music. Council Officials talk of licensing regulations, not knowing hat they are talking about. They have never issued a license for such an occasion, and are never likely to, as such a license does not exist. The CEGB talks about land ownership. There has been extensive land ownership in this country for bloody centuries, and hundreds of laws to enforce and protect this largely anti-social practice. But as their spokesperson told the Chronic, regarding preventing Doris form enjoying her friends' company, "There are considerable legal difficulties." That sounds like a euphemism for saying that they would like to break the law themselves. Bloody land owners are all the same! Despite malicious and dishonest statements by the Evening Drivel, no police presence will be required. If someone does think it becomes necessary, I am sure that they will be able to use a telephone kiosk like anyone else. I doubt if anyone, least of all our neighbours, will find that necessary. The Drivel may hanker after a "Smash Stonehenge" operation; that took 18 months to plan, and it will take years to repair the damage to their "good name". To attempt anything similar in a large conurbation like Reading, with only a few weeks preparation would be the height of foolhardiness. Besides, "The Authorities" are of course checking all mail going to Box 19, and they can see as clearly as anyone that the Party is not a front for some insurrectionary outbreak, but just what we have said all along, a weekend of pleasure and creativity. But just in case, we may have to be flexible... Watch the media on Thursday and Friday to get the latest distorted news, or better still get in touch and help make the news! Lots of help on Thursday and Friday will make it easier on everyone. Hope to see you all there. Lots of love, Loris The Festival Is On! - - - LETTERS From: The Central Committee of the Communist Party Moscow. To: The Central Committee, Doris's 20th Birthday Party Reading. Dear Comrades, We here in Moscow feel we must congratulate you on your successful management of your proles. Getting them to do all the shit-work but not allowing them to take part in the organisation is a stroke of genius especially as you will undoubtedly get all the credit for the event. We particularly liked your deflection of any noisy proles, by stating that information was restricted for security reasons, and that if they knew the "right people" they would have been able to find out more. In short we were not deceived for one moment that you were a bunch of filthy deviationist anarchists. We know its all just cover, and we recognized immediately that this event is an excellent example of good old-style Stalinist Party management. For which sterling contribution to the advance of Marxism-Leninism; you are hereby awarded the Order of Lenin (3rd class). Good luck with the Party, Yours Fraternally, Mikhail Dear Redde Ragge, Leslie Crowther Conmtemorative Plastic Smile and Matching Toupee, (incorporating the Guy Debord Memorial Personalised Gilt Credit Card Holder) goes to Modern Music, (opposite the Butts), for their lucratively barefaced "We Sell Fun" window slogan. Strange, I thought "fun" was a free gift with Club 8-13 holy-days... Yours in spectacular consternation, Mark R. P.S. In view of the current state of Sunday trading laws, it's illuminatingly ironic that "fun" appears not to be consumable on Sundays... so we all go to church instead? Perhaps the Rag's Religious Correspondents could put me right on this one. - - - COURSES 1) Reading Adult College, Reading Tech. College etc. For details of all these courses, see the pull out section in the Chronicle or see the display in the Butts Centre next week (Sept 1-7). 2) Enrolment for Reading Univ. Public courses: London Rd School of Education. l6 - 20 Sept. inclusive : 10am - 4.30pm. plus 6pm - 8pm on l6th + 20th. (Local history, social sciences, architecture, natural history, literature etc.) 3) Bracknell Centre for the Unemployed. Coopers Hill ) just next to railway and bus stns. Bagshot Rd ) All courses free. Creche available. Mondays: 10.30 - 12.00 Basic computer programming (from Sept. 16th). 1.00 - 3.00 Women's creative writing group. Tuesdays: 10.00 - 11.30 Women and work (from Sept. 17th). 2.00 - 3.30 Children's videos (free). Wednesdays: 10.30 - 12.00 Basic English and maths (from Sept. 18). 10.30 - 12.30 Basic dressmaking & sewing (from Sept. 18). 1.30 - 3.00 Women's history (from Sept. 18). 1.30 - 3.00 Craft workshops. Thursdays: 10.30 - 12.00 Single parents support group. Fridays: 10.30 - 12.00 Basic English and maths (from Sept. 20). - - - OUTLETS You can pick up your next Rag from any of the following: Acorn Bookshop, under Chatham St car park Central Club, London St Centre for the Unemployed, East St Continental Stores, Cemetery Junction Elephant Groceries & Off-license, Derby St Eurofoods, Crown Colonade, 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, SU 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 Sanco Newsagents, Caversham Rd Sugar Bowl, Wokingham Rd Sutherlands, Erleigh Rd Tech College, King's Rd UB Cycles, London St - - - THE SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEWS Some Key Points For... Today's Pensioners - The Bereaved - Tomorrow's Pensioners - Families - Single People - Disabled People - New Widows - Pregnant Women - Jobs And... What you can do Today's Pensioners - all householders will have to pay at least 20% of their rates bill, plus water rates. - Supplementary Pensions will be replaced by "Income Support"; an 'average' amount for water rates, 20% of general rates, and for "Additional requirements" will be included in the scale rates. - the Income Support scale rates will be the same for all pensioners, except the very elderly, whether householders or living with someone else. - pensioners with income a bit above the "Income Support" levels will get less help, or no help, with rent and rates. The rules on treatment of savings will change completely. 600,000 pensioners will lose all help; another 1.2 million will get less help than now. The Bereaved - the universal £30 Death Grant abolished. - help with funeral expenses, from a new "Social Fund", will usually be repayable - either from the deceased's estate or from whoever asks for the help. Tomorrow's Pensioners - Occupational Pension schemes will be encouraged, and legally allowed, to provide lower pensions. - for those now "contracted-in", the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) will be abolished in April 1987 for everyone under 50 (men) or 45 (women). But you will have to buy a 'personal pension' instead. -the inflation-proofing, by SERPS, of a part of everyone's pension is to go. - the pension protection under SERPS for those out of the labour market for some years, and for those whose earnings fall with age, goes. Families - everyone will have to pay at least 20% of their general rates bill; plus all of their water rates. - "Income Support" will replace Supplementary Allowance; an average amount for water rates, 20% of general rates, and "additional requirements" (heating, diet, laundry, etc) will be built into the scale rates. - anyone with a partner in full-time work will be barred from claiming Income Support. - help with rent and rates will go down except for those on wages at about Income Support levels. - the FIS order book will become a Family Credit paid via the wage packet. - free school meals and welfare foods will end for all families not on Income Support. - Child Benefit won't be taxed, or means-tested, or improved - but it could be cut or frozen. - there will be a specially reduced scale rate for Income Support for everyone under 25, single or married (except single parents); it will not be enough to live away from home on. Single People - help with rent and rates will go down except for the very low-paid. - those in work will be expected to pay a larger share of the household, rent and rates if the head of household is on Income Support. - students will not be able to claim Income Support or Housing Benefit at all. - unemployed people under 25 will all get a specially reduced rate of Income Support. Grants for furniture etc, to set up home on their own, will be abolished. - but single parents under 25 will qualify for the full adult Income Support scale rates. Disabled People - help with rent and rates will go down, except for the very low-paid. - those on Income Support will get a flat scale rate which will include an 'average' amount for water rates, 20% of general rates, and the present "additional requirements" payments (heating, diet, laundry etc). New Widows - all new widows will get a £1000 lump sum, instead of the £1300+ now paid, as Widows Allowance, at £50:10 a week for 26 weeks. - new widows with dependent children will get Widowed Mothers Allowance at once. - other new widows will get nothing else if they are under 45, and a reduced widows pension if under 55 (compared with under 40 and under 50 now). Pregnant Women - the universal £25 Maternity Grant goes. Low-income mothers, on or off Income Support, will be able to get about £75 from the "Social Fund". - Maternity Allowance will have a new 'recent work' test - but more flexibility over the period for which it can be claimed. Jobs - Dinner ladies will have about 300,000 fewer free school meals to prepare and serve. - Council officials will have less claims to Housing Benefit to assess (though they will have to collect 20% of general rates from everyone). - DHSS will lose at least 3,000 staff; giving no improvement in their service to the public. Reading Campaign Against Benefit Cuts is a broad-based, non-Party Political Campaign set up to defend the Social Security System. It welcomes help, support and donations from any interested individual or organisation. What You Can Do Tell Your MP the proposals are unacceptable: - send him the tearoff below or - write to him at the House of Commons or - go and see him at his surgery. (Sir Gerard Vaughan for Reading East, Tony Durant for Reading West) Tell Norman Fowler his proposals are unacceptable: - write to him c/o House of Commons, Westminster, SW1 Tell DHSS HQ the proposals are unacceptable: - write to DHSS, Room D406, Alexander Fleming House, Elephant & Castle, London SEl. Tell Your Friends and neighbours and relatives and workmates about the proposals and what they really mean. Urge them to write to their MPs. Join Reading Campaign Against Benefit Cuts. Help RCABC with its campaigning activities. Discuss The Reviews at any club or society or church or organisation you belong to - eg, put down a motion, or suggest RGABC send a speaker, or both. Put Out Leaflets at meetings. Pass Leaflets to friends, neighbours, relatives, workmates. Get Signatures on a petition. p&p: RCABC, 54 Bedford Rd, Reading, RG1 7HS.Tel: 589036 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To:................................., MP, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1 I find the proposals in the Green Paper "Reform of Social Security Programme for Change" unacceptable and I ask you to oppose them. Signed................................ Date.............. Name (printed)............................................ Address................................................... - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1985/1985-09-01.txt#3 $