READING'S ONLY NEWSPAPER Next copy deadline: Thursday 25 November RED RAG plus RED PAGES To "One And All" What is this -- the sound and rumour? What is this that all men* hear Like the wind in hollow valleys When the storm is drawing near; Like the rolling on of ocean In the eventide of fear? -- 'Tis the People marching on. [* & women] - - - Striking Paragraphs We have arrived. At last we have a daily paper of our own. If we differ at all from the orthodox daily press, it will be in the fact that we shall give the correct position of affairs day by day. We ask our readers to be kind, and excuse our imperfections. We have met the usual difficulties that always attend the production of a first number. Still, we have arrived. Getting in touch with RED RAG News: 666681, 599804, 61257 Events/directory: 666681 Going out: 663083 Distribution: 61257, 666681 Or write to us c/o Acorn, 17 Chatham St, Reading. Donations still needed via Acorn or 31b Milman Road - - - SAFETY IN NUMBERS? Safety in Numbers Say Police So stated the BE SAFE column in the Evening Post, Nov 4th. It goes on to recommend screech alarms, dark houses and empty cars, walking near the kerb at night and caution on public transport. Did I fail to mention that the article was specifically for women? But that was obvious..... wasn't it? Why do the police, media, courts, doctors invariably recommend "locking up your daughters" as a response to male violence? Because it is easier to assume that there is nothing one can do to prevent men from being violent towards women than to question the nature of male conditioning and the patriarchal society. We have read a lot these past two weeks about the trial of Mark Silman, 13, who murdered 15 year old Lisa. Would she have benefitted from the above advice? No one said not to accept a date at a disco with someone you know. USA statistics on rape (a most horrific form of violence against women) show that in 66% of the proven cases, the assailant was known to the woman. Why then the preoccupation with strangers and dark alleys? Possibly because only then do the police believe the woman to be completely innocent of seduction, soliciting or asking for it. And because the state still regards wives, daughters, etc, as personal property. And because attacks by strangers can be viewed as aberrations, not inherent in the conditioning of an ordinary 'family' man. Yet in the Post the past two weeks there were reports about a husband fracturing his wife's skull with an axe (Nov. 6), a stepfather beating his 15 year old daughter (Oct 30 ), a babysitter tried for indecently assaulting young children in his care (Nov 3), and a woman who said she was raped after being invited in for a cup of coffee after taking her child to school (Nov 9). Why should women have to live in fear and on guard every moment of their lives, even in their own homes? The trial of Mark Silman is salutary for another reason. His solicitor tried to prove some of diminished responsibility due to the effects of violent musical images and due to his fanatic passion for his girlfriend Sally (who no doubt cast a spell on him). A violent culture breeds violent people; therefore the individual is not totally responsible. Sound reasonable? It might if the same society that has generated these images in media, music and the printed word was also serious in its attempts to understand their effects and act accordingly. And if that society valued men and women equally. Research in Canada has shown that there is a connection between violent sexual images on the screen and aggressive male attitudes towards women. (And we all know what films the Falklands troops were shown.) Yet cable TV may carry pornographic films and the video pornographic industry is booming. Are we to believe that these do not include violence, sexual stereotyping or degradation of women? Think how many Mark Silmen we may be creating. So, perhaps the BE SAFE article of Nov 3 is a better bet. Learn and practice self-defence. Then even your brother, father, landlord, etc. will be afraid to tackle you. Some men seem to be making a lot of money from teaching self-defence to women. If the state were concerned to change attitudes or even just protect 'their' women, it should be providing lessons free of charge. Perhaps women will begin to arm themselves like the girl of 15 who was reported to have been carrying a 6 inch sheath knife after having been assaulted by a man (Oct 30). But for most of us this would be a frightening solution. Women in Reading are acting to try and make some changes. There are self-defence classes led by women for women (contact the Womens Centre). There were pickets at some sex-shops last year. The University women campaigned for better lighting and a safer environment. And women are now organising to demonstrate, Dec 4 , against pornographic videos. For those women who have had to cope with rape and sexual assaults, there is the Reading Rape Crisis Line. But it will only be when all men and women challenge every violent joke, every nasty sexual innuendo and every assumption that women are available for male use that women will begin to feel that there may be 'safety in numbers'. Lesley - - - RED RAG EVENTS GUIDE nov15 . dec1 Mon 15 Anarchists: weekly meeting, 8pm. Phone 666681 for venue. NB there is NOT a joint meeting with Gay Soc tonight so don't go up to the University. BANC Caversham Neighbourhood Group meeting. Questions and answers on Cruise missiles. 8pm 70 St Peter's Avenue. Ecology Party: meets 1st and 3rd Mon each month. On working towards a General election. 8pm at Alstonby on Shinfield Rd opposite a school. They sell Green Line on Sats in town. Contact Maria Callies on 663195. Reading City Farm: meeting for all those interested. 8.30 at 26 Henley Wood Road, Earley Contact Helen Tranter on 64907. Tue 16 Borough Council: Council meeting, 6.30 at the Civic Offices. Friends of the Earths Endangered Species petition: "a chance to review all the facts and arguments to amaze and convince your friends! Snow Leopards welcome at Reading Museum at 7.45". Tilehurst CND meeting: 8pm, 13 Wardle Avenue. Contact Jan Powis on 414800. Public Lecture: "What is Mathematics?" by J. Wright. 8pm Palmer Building (G10), Whiteknights. Wed 17 "Funding for Community Groups": Find out all about it. Meeting organised by Rg Community Work Training Group. 7.30, Fairview Community Centre, George St. Civic Society: talk: "Trees in the Urban Landscape" (with special reference to Reading) by Catherine Oliver. 8pm in the Vachel Room, the Hexagon. Free. Socialist Workers' Party: weekly meeting, 8pm the Red Lion, bottom of Southampton St. Baha'i Faith: "The promised Day is Come" (yes folks, it's my birthday;), 8um AUEW Hall, 121 Oxford Road. Thu 18 County Council: Property Sub. 2.30 Shire Hall Lecture: The French Revolution and Democracy, by Prof N.Hampson. 5pm, Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Letters, Whiteknights. Free. History of Reading Soc: "Transport of Reading 1879 - 1982" by Michael Dare. 7.30 Abbey Gateway Room, the Forbury. Pornography: meeting to discuss day of action against pornography in the video business on Dec 4. All women welcome. 8pm at the Women's Centre, basement of Old Shire Hall, Abbey St. BANC Nuclear Power working group meeting: planning a "Stop Sizewell B" week in January, 14 Western Elms Avenue, 8pm. Fri 19 Film: "Plogoff - des pierres contre des fusil" - the anti-nuclear struggle in Brittany (Nicole ls Carrec). University French Soc Cine Club. 7.30 Palmer Building room G10, Whiteknights. Borough Council: Development Control. 2.30. Civic Offices. Poland: meeting organised by Rg N. Labour Party, with Eric Heffer and Naomi Hyamson (of Polish Solidarity Campaign). 8pm at the Small Town Hall. Conservation Society: public talk and discussion: "Thermal pollution and the atmosphere" by Dr John Davoll, director of the Conservation Society. 7-9pm at the Conservation Trust Resource Bank and Study Centre (!) c/o (sic) Geo. Palmer School, Northumberland Ave. Free. Sat 20 Reading May Day 83 Supporters' Social. Food, drink, variety of music. All very welcome. From 7.30 pm, Committee Room, AUEW, 121 Oxford Road. £1 (50p). Ron Knowles 868437. "Festival for the Future": street theatre, floats, rally, music etc. 10am - midnight. City Docks Exhibition Centre, Bristol. Details from 0272 513613. Sun 21 RED RAG Collective meeting. Everyone welcome. Will doubtless discuss money; also Christmas, and how to get more people involved in production, distribution problems and who knows, maybe even the content. 4pm at 15 Lorne St. Mon 22 Gay Soc: discussion meeting: "Sexism and Sexuality", with Univ Women's Group and Antisexist Men's Group. Everyone welcome. 8pm, Council Room, Students Union, Whiteknights. BANC Woodley and Earley Group meeting: 8pm, 3 Bingley Grove. BANC West Reading Group. First meeting. 8pm, 8 Chester St. Contact Steve Jones 594383. Henley Peace Group AGM. Details David Pitt Henley 4891. Tue 23 "Introduction to Co-counselling" with Tony Hudson of Rg Co-counselling Community. Meeting organised by Thames Valley Natural Health Centre. 8pm Friends' Meeting House, Church St (off London St). FoE Bikes Group: meeting to review bikes campaign and plan for 1983. 8pm at 46 Anderson Avenue, Earley. Public Lecture: "Local Saints and Universal Saints", by D. Farmer. 8pm Palmer Building (G10), Whiteknights. Free. Wed 24 WEA Industrial Branch: teach-in: "Women and Work" - problems and issues now and in the future. 7.30 at the Unemployed Centre, East Street (off Queen's Road). Berks Organic Gardeners: "Fungi": talk by the warden of California Country Park. 7.30, St Mary's Centre, behind the church in the Butts Palestine Solidarity Campaign: film: "On Our Land" plus Palestinian food. Money welcome. 7.30, Orange Room, Students Union, Whitekn'ts Thu 25 RED RAG: Copy deadline for the next issue. Ring 666681 if you'd like to help typing... Fri 26 Reading Tree Club: "The History of Arboreta", by W. Stearn. 7.30 in G2 Music Room at London Road site of Reading University. Sat 27 Reading Vegetarians: talk: "Vegetarianism for Beginners", by Dr Clemency Mitchell. 8pm, 4 Derby Road, Caversham. RED RAG: layout at 24 Norwood Road (666681 ). Collation either late tonight or early Sun. Help gratefully accepted! A car for a couple of hours on Sun afternoon would be nice. Mon 29 Borough Council: Policy Review 4.30 Civic Offs Scientists against the Arms Race: Dr Graeme Wilkinson on "Will you survive the Bomb?" 7.30 Palmer Building, Whiteknights. Gay Soc: "Nighthawks": discussion of the film shown Fri 26 at RFT. 8pm Council Room, Students Union, the University, Whiteknights, Tue 30 World Development Movement: John Mitchell on "the Campaign for Real Aid". 8pm Palmer Building, the University, Whiteknights. Borough Council: Transport. 4.30 Civic Offices Wed 1 First of the Month meeting of Reading Women's Centre and groups. All women welcome. 7.30pm the Women's Centre, basement of Old Shire Hall, Abbey Street, Friends of the Earth planning meeting. "Whatever next? Come and decide!" 8pm at 27 Instow Road, Earley. - - - What's wrong with BANC AN OBSERVERS GUIDE TO THE SUPERIOR BUREAUCRACY OF... B.A.N.C. 1) The organisation has Two names: Reading CND and Berkshire Anti-Nuclear Campaign. It is the local section of both national CND, opposed to nuclear weapons, and the national ANC, opposed to nuclear power. N.B. Don't let the name mislead you: most towns and many villages in Berkshire have their own, totally independent, CND and Peace groups. 2) A monthly "General Meeting", in the Friends Meeting House in Church St. There is usually a speaker or a film and lots of assorted announcements for faithful members to sit through. Occasionally there are attempts at ill-prepared and ill-informed discussion; it is anybody's guess what a GM will do if actually called upon to take a decision. 3) A Committee, complete with Chairperson, Treasurer Secretary .... and nobody is quite sure how many other assorted posts. It meets monthly and doesn't organise things like Peace Week, Hiroshima Day, transport to the Upper Heyford demonstration, transport to Greenham events.... Reputedly there are Agendas and Minutes, and Reports and things like that. 4) A monthly publication, "Bancnotes", distributed (just?) free to all members. Brief guide to the month's events, odd snippets, occasional 'articles' and no apparent editorial policy. 5) An address to write to: P0 Box 158, Reading. All their leaflets invite you to send a few pounds to this address and, Hey Presto! you're a member. 6) A list, running into the hundreds, of members (i.e. people who are concerned enough about nuclear weapons or power to send a few pounds to P0 Box 158). A lot of them turn out for the annual CND march, some to general meetings, a few actively campaign all the year round. Who are most of them? Who knows? Who cares? 7) "Working Groups" dealing with particular topics such as nuclear power, publications, trades unions and the Labour Party. They tend to appear cliquey; they certainly don't publicise their work much, or how they go about it. 8) "Neighbourhood Groups" acting in many ways as independent CND groups in different parts of Reading. I do not know how many are actually functioning, but they are still a new development around here. How they communicate with their members, with supporters in their area, or each other, I don't know. 9) Constitution? I've never seen it. Affiliates? I have heard that there are a few, but I have no idea who they are. Participation in Southern Region CND? Not that your average member is told about, but there is a committee taking decisions on their behalf. Involvement in National CND? Not something to bother ordinary members with too much, by the looks of it. A strategy to deal with the problems of nuclear weapons and power? No fear! An effective structure that allows, encourages and assists local people to have some power and influence over these problems? Hmph! anon. 2/ll/82. - - - Police in Brixton have come up with a brand-new excuse for stop'n'search... "Well," said the officer, "we have to protect you white folks from being mugged by the blacks after you've bought dope off them." (Poison Pen) - - - 20,000 OAPS CAN'T BE ROBBED Reading Borough Council issues free bus passes to about 90% of Reading's 20,000-odd Old Age Pensioners and also to disabled people approved by Social Services, which allow them free travel during off-peak hours. The Council pays Reading Transport about £1M a year to compensate them for loss of fare revenue. But now Michael Heseltine wants Reading to "save" about £1M a year, and Tory Councillors are looking to the bus passes as an obvious and easy way of doing just that. They may cut them out altogether, charge for them (a realistic price might be as high as £20 or so), or restrict still further the times they can be used. Whatever they try, if they succeed it will not only keep old and disabled people at home but also reduce Reading Transport's income and force more fare increases and more reductions in services. An initial meeting of pensioner and disabled groups has already been held to discuss this threat, and a second meeting is to be held on November 24th, at 6.30 p.m. in the Kennet Room in the Civic Offices to elect a Campaign Committee to fight to keep free bus passes, in Reading. All interested organisations and individuals welcome. - - - WOMEN AND WORK IS... a teach-in organised by the WEA Reading Industrial Branch on Wednesday November 24th., 7.30 p.m.in the Centre for the Unemployed, 4-6 East Street. It'll be introduced by Teresa Murphy of NATFHE and have workshops on Women's Work, Unwaged Work, The Case for Positive Action, Women and Politics, and Women in Trade Unions, with contributions from Reading Women's Group and Reading North and South Labour Party Women's Sections. An equal opportunity teach-in: everybody welcome who pays 50p at the door, and the Branch does hope both women and men come and take part. Looking ahead, the next General Meeting of the Branch is on Tuesday December 7th, also 7.30 at the Centre for the Unemployed, and this is when next year's programme will be decided. Trade unions and other organisations can affiliate at £5 and send two delegates; individual membership is £1 (50p unemployed). The first two teach-ins seem to have proved the Branch is filling a real need in the town: with more affiliations, more members and more people at that Branch meeting we'd be better able to understand that need and get that programme right. Details from Pete Ruhemann, 897 Oxford Road, Reading (phone 23340). - - - ACORN BOOKSHOP October Bestsellers: 1. "Little Red Schoolbook". 2. "Life, the universe + everything". 3. "Further down on Maggie's Farm" / Steve Bell cartoons. 4. "Maggie T.'s lots to do book". 5. "Eagle's Gift" / Casteneda. 6. "Questions + Answers about Nuclear Weapons". 7. "Recreational Drugs", "Beyond the Cold War" / E.P.Thompson + the new Spectacular Times on animals. Also: "What's wrong with eating meat" - sudden rush of interest! "I want to write it down" - working women's writing - at last some interest! "Civil Defence, the cruellest confidence trick" + "Protest + Survive" basic pamphlets "Resisting the Nation State", a history of anarchism + pacifism, and "Resist the Falklands Madness", both cheap pamphlets from the prolific Peace Pledge Union. New Arrivals: "The Essential Biff" - reproductions of the now infamous postcards+ lots of others - "we are all dogends in the ashtray of illusion". "The Prisoner" Pat Arrowsmith's new novel - yes, she writes too and it looks good, about the prison of age and illness. "Period" - the best book on menstruation for beginners; American context unfortunately, but good. The one I needed. "Lothion, the fights that Labour stopped." S.W.P.'s view of how one Labour council gave in under pressure. And for those of you who remember to use diaries once you've got them - there are too many to mention this year. Don't forget, as the festive season approaches, Heretic Cards to amuse and offend. "It's a girl" "Lo squatters again" and soon. What's that about alternative consumerism?!? Hey! We've been in the "new" shop a year! - - - WOMAN THE GATHERER Lightly she steps across triangles of jungle glass. Her young follow. She teaches how to hunt Country Delight sliced sandwich bread, how to follow the scent of Flash lowfat milk. Lounging on nearby cliffs pale-skinned chiefs display severed heads. To her right, sirens bay of disaster. Darker males with iron bars escape in waves. Lightly spring cockroaches over her feet. Woman the gatherer embraces toilet tissue, pale green sunlight on broad leaves, forages for jello, for juice and for cellophane tape to hold up the jungle sky one more day. Faith Williams - - - POSTCARDS "ROF BURGHFIELD ...RIP READING" still a few (hundred) left: 10p each, discount for bulk orders. Phone (0734) 587381 Proceeds to pay for bulbs, posters and legal costs! - - - SMALL ADS WANTED - A room that gets sunshine. No deposit. East Reading. Phone Ana 666681 BOOM WANTED for...not a cabbage...nor a tortoise... A REDRAG READER, Unemployed, male, 25, smoker, can go vegetarian at a moment's notice, currently living(!) on floors. Please RUSH all information to Sam, Rdng 61257 - - - THAMES VALLEY ANARCHISTS NETWORK A poorly advertised and poorly attended meeting on Nov 6th in Reading decided to set up a Thames Valley Anarchist contact network. Present were members of Reading and Oxford Anarchist Groups and an individual from Slough. We also have contacts in Maidenhead and Basingstoke who will be asked if they wish to be part of the network. Anyone else interested should contact the Reading group (Box 19, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. Reading). The idea is for regular reports, news, exchange of material, to be sent (direct - no secretariat no paper) to all the addresses; and apart from that to have occasional meetings - in Reading as being the most central place. - - - GOING OUT GUIDE All venues in Reading unless otherwise noted Sun Nov 14 HEXAGON Royal Danish Orchestra 7.30 £3.50 - £6 FIVES Larry Miller Band & 7.30 free ST.LAWRENCE HALL, Abbey Sq. Gallery Strings (classical) 7.30 £? ALLIED ARMS Readifolk 8pm free (?) SOUTH HILL PARK? Bracknell. Big Wheels & Sailor (U) + shorts + serial. 12.15 pm 75p ANGIES Wokingham, Laverne Browne Band £1 +£1 membership, £1.50 for guests. APOLLO, Oxford - Hawkwind 7.30 £3-4 Mon Nov 15 HEXAGON Endellion Quartet 7.30 £2.50 - £3.50 FIVES Jazz/Funk Disco 7.30 free PALMER BLDNG, Univ. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. 7.30 £1 THE HORN St.Marys Butts Jazz 8 free SHP Bracknell Chariots of Fire (A) £1.90 until 20th APOLLO Oxford The Nolans 7.30 £? Tue Nov 16 UNIV. Talk Talk 8-1 £2.50 £2.75 FIVES Seychelles 7.30 free TUDOR ARMS Gay Disco 8pm free SHP Bracknell She Stoops to Conquer 7.45 £1.50/£1.70 until 20th and Talk on Bertolt Brech 7.30 20p and Five Leaf Clover (N/0 Jazz) 8pm £1.70/£1.90 APOLLO Oxford Shalamar 7.30 £? Wed Nov 17 HEXAGON The Searchers 7.30 £2.50 up READING FILM THEATRE Univ Return of the Secaucous Seven (A) 8pm £1.50 GROSVENOR HOUSE, Kidmore Rd Cav. Jazz, 8pm free APOLLO Oxford ABC 7.30 £? PRINCES HALL Aldershot The Albion Band 7.30 £? Thu Nov 18 HEXAGON RSPB (birds) Film Show 7.30 £1.50/£2.50 RFT A Star is Born (A) 8pm £1.50 (Judy Garland version) F0UR HORSESHOES Basingstoke Rd. Jazz 8pm free GREAT HALL Univ. London Rd. Bartok and other pieces 8pm £2 (or less) ST.GEORGES HALL, St G's Rd. Cinderella 7.30, Sat Mat 2.30 £1, kids 70p until the 20th ANGIES Wokingham Nashville Teens £1 + membership, guests £1.50 9ish Fri Nov 19 HEXAGON Primary School Concert Day 10.30am 2pm £1 teachers free. CARRIBEAN CLUB Brothers of Beat 10.30 £1.50 keep it up lads. TUDOR ARMS Gay Disco 8pm free BULMERSHE COLLEGE Stan Arnold (comedian) + disco 8pm £1.50? YOUTH + COMMUNITY CENTRE Tilehurst The Great Mistakes 8pm £? SHP Bracknell Hanoug Parikian + Bernard Roberts (Recital) 8pm £3 Juice on the Loose 8Q15 £2.25 up Video Fest, during day. ANGIES Wokingham Broadcast 9pm Sat Nov 20 HEXAGON All day, Brass Fest. 75p 7.30 Brass Band Concert £2.50 ? LEIGHTON PK SCHOOL Collage (chamber music) 7.30 £? OLD TOWN HALL ART GALLERY Exhib of Baxter prints and pot lids (honest) 10 - 5.50 free until 24 dec. SHP Bracknell Video Fest £1 sessions 2-4pm, 4.30-6.30pm, 7-9pm Jack the Band (folk) 8pm £1 up ANGIES Wokinham Motley Crew. ALL SAINTS CHURCH Wok'm Reading Phoenix Choir 7.30 £? Sun Nov 21 HEXAGON Val Doonican 6pm £2.50 up and 8.45 £3 up. FIVES 7 Ages of Man 7.50 free CHRISTCHURCH Christchch Rd Sweet Harmony 3pm £? SHP Bracknell Video fest £1 all day ANGIES W'ham London Apaches Mon Nov 22 HEXAGON Cleo Lane + John Dankworth 8.30 £5 - £7 FIVES Jazz/Funk Disco 7.50 free THE HORN Jazz 8pm free SHP Bracknl The Duellists (A) 7.30 £1.90 until 24th Tue Nov 23 HEXAGON Chas + Dave 7.30 £3.50up (wow) FIVES Beastie 7.30 free TUDOR ARMS Gay Disco 8pm free PALMER BLDNG Univ, Wind Ensemble 1.10pm by programme 15p SHP Bracknl Talk on John Fowles 7.30 20p Lennie Best Quartet + Terry Smith 8pm £1.70 up Wed Nov 24 HEXAGON Orchestra of St Johns Smith Square. 7.30 £3.50 up RFT City of Women (X) subtitled 8pm £1.50, £1 members GROSVENOR HOUSE, Kidmore rd. Jazz 8pm free. THEATRE + ARTS CENTRE Whitley Wood Lane. The Yeoman of the Guard 7.45 £-? until 27th Thu Nov 25 RFT Heaven's Gate (X) 8pm FOUR HORSESHOES Jazz 8pm free PROGRESS THEATRE Dusa, Fish, Stas & Vi 7.45 £1.80 to 4th dec BRADFIELD COLLEGE Intrada Brass Ensemble 7.30 £? SHP Bracknl My Brilliant Career(U) 7.30 £1.90 until 28th ANGIES W'hm Howard Jones 9pm Fri Nov 26 HEXAGON Boys of the Lough 7.30 £2.50 up Perry String Qu'tet 1.10 pm free RFT Nighthawks (X) 8pm RANK Bow Wow Wow 7.30 £5.50 CENTRAL CLUB Prince Far I + Shaka Sounds £4 on door 8 til late TUDOR ARMS Gay Disco 8pm free SHP Bracknl Brahms in music and words 8pm £1.20 0.0.P.S.(Theatre) 7.45 £1.90 Dave Cousins 8pm and 11pm £2.50 Alien(X) 11pm £1.90 ANGIES W'hm Laslo + the Leepards 9pm Sat Nov 27 HEXAGON Reading Fest Chorus (Dream of Gerontius) 7.50 £3 up CHILTERN EDGE SCHOOL Reade's Lane Sonning Common, Tunnell Clarinet Trio 7.30 & £-? SHP Bracknl 0.0.P.S. as above Alien as above Iron Acton Club Visit (folk) 8pm £? ANGIES W'hm Dave Ellis Band SPORTS CENTRE Basingstoke. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 7.30 £2.50 Sun Nov 28 HEXAGON Arion Orchestra 7.30 £2.50up RANK Level 42 7.30 £3.50 FIVES African Garden 7.39 free SHP Bracknl The Troublesome Double (U) + shorts + serial 12.15 75p John Mills Guitar Master Class 7.30pm £1.30 up ANGIES W'hm Juvessence Mon Nov 29 HEXAGON Wrestling 7.30 £2up and Exhib 'Dimensions' 10am free FIVES Jazz/Funk disco 7.50 free THE HORN Jazz 8pm free SHP Bracknl Blade Runner (AA) 7.30 PRINCES HALL Aldershot The Chieftain 7.30 £? Tue Nov 30 HEXAGON Shakatak 7.30 £3 up TUDOR ARMS Gay Disco 8pm free SHP Bracknl The New Dixie Syncopators 8ps £1.90 up - - - CINEMA DETAILS 1 week only from sunl4nov ABC Friar St. Halloween + Halloween 2 (X) Five Days One Summer (A) The Best Little Whorehouse in Town (AA) ABC London Rd Sharky's Machine + The Enforcer Odeon Cheapside Come Make Love With Me (X) School of Sex (X) 18 Year Old Schoolgirls (X) High Risk (AA) A Force of One (AA) Check cinemas for times, prices, and article on page one about the Odeon Cheapside. - - - HALLOWEEN GATHERING + CELEBRATION '82 GREENHAM COMMON The week before, Newbury District Council contacted several individuals, threatening to obtain injunctions against them camping, lighting fires or driving cars on the common; heaps of hardcore and rows of concrete posts already blocked access to that part of the common used in March and July. Thames Valley police have increased their harassment of the Women's Camp. It did not look very auspicious, but the essence of the weekend's organisation was self-reliance and self responsibility: not dependence on the leadership of the organisers or the cooperation of the "Authorities". The police were prepared for a repeat of last July's activities: a large Control Post and several Transit communications vehicles entered the base. RAF Regt dog-handlers patrolled the perimeter. We even had a helicopter circle above while the two of us had a late breakfast: made us feel very important, I must say. For the whole weekend, two policemen were kept on the main road, deterring some motorists from driving up to the camp. Perseverance and confidence got you through, though. Gradually, more friends arrive, with a marquee, water standpipe, tents, cars, vans, firewood. Police keep saying they will tow away vehicles from Highways and Common, so we slip them into the camp and live amongst then for the weekend. Saturday morning is warm and overcast, but it does not rain. Two senior police stroll about and leave with pleasant smiles on their faces. More people arrive: festival-goers, peace-campers students, punks, nurses, CND-types, "greens", anarchists, friends, and friends of friends. There is a little concern about the police, but vague hassles over vehicles fade into insignificance next to the monstrosity of the base: 1984 is just yards away. Saturday, dusk, there is a meeting around the fire at the bottom of the lane:ideas of what to do; lively, enthusiastic discussion; the growing realisation that what is needed is work, hard work, and trusted friends to sustain it. The night is spent getting to know old friends better, and meeting new ones; developing our togetherness, our diversity, our unity; celebrating this growing strength. Throughout the night, people leave their fires, walk 50 yards along the lane to the gate, feel fear, feel courage. There are harsh yellow lights eerily shining through the mist onto the coils of razor wire; there are penetrating white lights, glaring through the trees. You can sense the fear and loneliness of the clustered police, huddled in front of the massive black shapes of machinery, huddled behind the barbed wire and padlocks of the gate, trapped in their uniforms. Back in the dark haven of the woods, pine trees and oak saplings shelter the gentle glow of camp-fires from the wind. Quiet words, lively words, calming music, exciting music. A few had arrived solely for pleasure, but nobody can ignore the horror of the lights and wire for long. A few had arrived all too seriously and were troubled at our enjoyment. But we were enjoying ourselves BECAUSE of where we were, not despite it. Our festival was not an escape from the horrible side of life, but was confronting it at its most dire. We had arrived not knowing what we would find, unsure of what these few days had in store for us all, to see what strength we had, and to show it, to celebrate that we could be happy, could grow, could help, encourage, enjoy each other. Not to fear, to suffer, or to hide. There were only a handful of us, so few in the face of so much, yet still able to celebrate and enjoy ourselves to the full. Sunday, various people turn up for the day, stroll around the common, sit in groups. Some wonder at the low numbers - just a few hundred in total. That is a lot more than I had a chance to meet over the weekend. Fifty or more of us walked along the fence of the Construction Site, overcoming mud without hesitation or qualm, awed by the concrete and steel rearing up over rural Berkshire. We planted tulip bulbs in the shape of a peace symbol: we shall be back in the Spring to see the results. Forty or so gathered in the marquee to discuss Tarmac, the main contractor building the bunkers, to consider what could be done to affect the completion of the project. A great number of ideas and considerations were thrown up, and several practical points which shall be taken up in the near future. (Contact John Harvey, Newbury CACM, P0 Box 29, Newbury, for details). Numerous people made it down to the Main Gate, where the Women's Camp is still maintaining its vigil, and planning a major international Women's Day of action at Greenham in December. As dusk fell, we enjoyed theatre, music and poetry performances, and glimpses of the full moon through the clouds. All in all, a nice day. During the afternoon, tension and suspense had occasionally intruded, as several police entered the camp, presumably with some unclear instructions to "maintain a presence". Some inspected vehicles and asked for names and addresses. Others accepted that sitting on the common or camping on private land is not against the law, and spent their time chatting. For anybody considering nonviolent direct action at Greenham, a very worthwhile experience, meeting some of the people you will have to deal with in the future. Understanding their position is as important as getting them to understand ours. (It can be difficult, though, when the mere sight of a policeman makes you feel you must have done something wrong.) For me, a very successful weekend. Perhaps a pity that so few familiar faces from Reading made the half-hour journey; but the University CND brought a van-load out on Sunday, and several of the Pangbourne Peace Group drove out. The local Green CND-ers were involved in organising it, and ex-Burghfield Peace Campers and friends took care of much site preparation and the marquee. When last heard of, the BANC committee had ignored the suggestion that they arrange some transport to help a few of their members to participate as well. Shame. A Greenham Common Free Stater. - - - A LIFE ON THE OCEAN AIRWAVES The continuing story of Pirate Radio Today I am going to deal with the first of my title headings on the history of offshore radio, the Scandinavian Period. But first a little news on the landbased scene: If you're into Reggae type music, you might try listening to DBC (Dread Broadcasting Corporation) with Rebel Radio on 103.8 MHz on Fridays from about 6.30pm onwards. You probably won't pick them up if you live in Reading, but in the Slouch area they're very strong, so give them a listen, they're well worth it. Rumour has it that the GPO doesn't raid them for fear of starting off a riot in Notting Hill, where they broadcast from. Also it's worth trying to tune Radio Nova from Dublin now that the long nights are with us again. They're on 24 hrs a day on 819 kHz, M.W. (366metres) and can be heard very well after dark. If you can't get them, try later, as conditions on the band change. They boast an impressive D.J. line-up, Tony Allen and Andy Archer from Radio Caroline amongst the staff. You may remember me talking about 'Our Radio' last time. On 3 Nov the programme broadcast by "The Message" featured interviews with people about the eviction from The Front Line, as well as an interview with the office of the Provisional Sinn Fein in Belfast. Our Radio went off suddenly a couple of hours later. We hope that it wasn't brought about because of that programme. Try to tune them in on a Wednesday on 103.8 MHz. They now carry programmes from Radio Solidarity at 5-6pm, so try to pick them up. Let's hope that their programmes have not been thwarted by the government for being too political. Now for the Scandinavian Period: This began in 1958 when a station called Radio Mercur commenced transmissions from a ship off Denmark. It was quite an achievement for them because the broadcasts were on FM. Radio Mercur used more than one ship in their four years of broadcasting, the details of which I do not have to hand, but the Danes put a stop to them eventually by arresting the ship on the high seas, although I believe a murder had been committed on board. They were also broadcasting in contravention of the Danish laws which had earlier outlawed them. All in all, Scandinavia had four offshore stations: Radio Mercur (which had at least two ships) DCR (Dansk Commicele Radio) Radio Syd (also had two ships, Cheetah 1 and 2) Radio Nord - their ship "Bon Jour" later became MiAmigo, the home of R.Atlanta and R.Caroline. DCR was very unsuccesful and poorly run and was later taken over by R.Mercur. I am not sure of the details of R.Mercur but I do know that they had at least two ships, and broadcasted in contravention of the law that the Danes passed to outlaw the offshore stations. Radio Syd broadcast from the Baltic Coast to Gottenburg in Sweden. They had two ships in their lifetime, and were run by a Swedish Beauty Queen, Britt Vadner. She, like Radio Mercur in later years opposed the law and was jailed for her involveaent with Radio Syd. Radio Syd were on FM, too. They closed in 1966 after heavy pack ice in the Baltic had forced the ship to move. They were used by Radio Caroline South for a short while in 1966 after the Mi-Amigo had gone aground off the Essex coast. They then sailed for the Gambia and obtained a licence to broadcast there on land. The Cheetah 2 was still in Bathurst Harbour a few years ago, whether it is still there or not I don't know. Radio Nord started broadcasting to Sweden in March 1961 until 1962 when the Swedes passed their bill to outlaw the stations, which Radio Syd defied. They broadcast from an old coaster, the Bon Jour which wasn't to know what was in store for it. The Bon Jour became the longest lasting of all the Pirates. It later became the Mi Amigo, Radio Caroline's ship, and was broadcasting until March 1980, when it finally laid itself to rest on the bed of the North Sea. Next time I'll deal with the First Dutch Period, 196O - 1964. 'til next time, good listening, me hearties." Curly - - - MAY DAY SUPPORTERS SOCIAL Final Fun-D-Raising Warning Food Drink Music Company Saturday 20 November 7.30pm AUEW Committee Room, 121 Oxford Road Organised by Reading May Day Festival Committee of Reading Trades Union Council £1.00 (50p unwaged) - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1982/1982-11-14.txt#4 $