RED * RAG April 3-17 Fortnightly * Free Reading's Only Newspaper Inside: * Stand Together * Living with Vernon Paxford * Your Rights * Don't Believe Everything You Read In The Newspapers! * plus lot more News / 662302 666681 666324 Events / 666681 Going Out / 581222 ext. 423 (Helen) Distribution / 666681 Next Copy Date / April 14 - - - THE CINEMA ON THE JUNCTION The ABC Cinema on Cemetery Junction was squatted over the weekend of 25-27 March, by people (mostly in their early 20s) who were fed up with the lack of leisure facilities and community space in Reading. Their action was prompted by the imminent closure in April of the Top Rank in Reading, which will leave a yawning gap in the town's rock venue facilities. Whilst declaring themselves strictly non-political, they occupied the cinema for the best political reason in the world - to have some fun! The event was organised in a hurry, and though it did not run quite as smoothly as was hoped, the general feeling was that it was a good idea, which should be followed up. Monday 21: The original plan had been for some homeless people to live in the cinema, but the idea grew that the Cinema could be used as a venue and a place for young people to go. Local bands were contacted and became enthusiastic. Thursday 24: The organisers got into the cinema and some wanted to hold a gig that night, but others preferred to stay in the pub - people didn't seem prepared to stay in the Cinema to hold it, so eventually the whole thing was put off till Friday. Friday 25: Some people got into the Cinema and hung around playing football until a sound system was sorted out. The Evening Post reporters turned up and interviewed the organisers, who told them that they were squatting only over the weekend, and that they would pay for the electricity used. The police also turned up in force - one was allowed in and started to throw his weight around, but eventually he stopped giving lectures and left, because the police regarded the Cinema as a legal squat. Later on, around 300 people enjoyed a disco, with a real party atmosphere, followed by a general jam session in which people joined in as they wished. This lasted until the early hours of the morning. Saturday 26: Local bands had been worried about the safety of their gear, but were prepared to play on Saturday. However, a lot of punks turned up, including a band, who seemed to take things over and while they enjoyed themselves, in their usual energetic fashion, some people were pissed off at the aggressive, macho atmosphere they created. Some local bands that were going to play decided to leave. At some stage during the evening some damage was done in the bar of the cinema, and the place was made generally messy, but there was a magical moment when a girl bravely got onto the stage and told people how stupid they were being - punks didn't have anywhere to go, and the weekend was fucked unless people cleared up... They did, at once, everybody! She told them what they already knew, it only needed someone to say it. A collection was made to pay for any damage, but actually neither the police nor the ABC organisation consider that any damage was done. After this episode, the mood changed as some of the Myopic Muldoni Boys and the Ballistics got together to play some rock 'n' roll - the punks went ape-shit, which was great fun to see. Some people stayed overnight and left the Cinema at lunchtime on Sunday. The main problems encountered were that local bands were afraid their gear would get nicked, and general apathy amongst the participants, and that few people were prepared to stay the night at the Cinema. What happened over the weekend at the Cinema was great, and showed that young people in Reading need a space they can make use of in this way; the organisers hope to take the project further. One of the three main organisers (they are all in their 20s and unemployed) of the event spoke to me about the lack of facilities in Reading for young people - they feel that their views didn't come across clearly in the Evening Post. Although grateful for the coverage, they felt that some points were misunderstood. They weren't asking for Youth Club facilities (table tennis etc), but rather envisaged the Cinema potentially as a free community space, with gigs/ theatre / dance / cinema (!) at low prices. "Although we've brought people's attention to the lack of facilities for young people in Reading, we still don't know what's going to happen to the Cinema. It's just been sold, but the Council are being very cagey about who's bought it, and whoever's bought it is keeping a low profile.. "EMI own the ABC company, the former owners of the Cinema at the Junction, and present owners of the Top Rank in Reading (the only "big" rock venue in town). They wanted to turn the Top Rank into a bingo hall, but the Council turned them down. They are appealing against the Council's decision - the appeal will take place in September. This means that from April to September, and maybe even beyond, Reading will be left without a major gig venue. We are discounting the University, which does put "name" bands on, as it demands NUS cards on the door and isn't a town facility, and also the Hexagon, which even the director Murray Edwards admits doesn't cater enough for young people. Reading Centre for the Unemployed is not allowed to have live music, gigs or socials. So what is there for us? "The Borough Council states in its Central Reading District Plan that it needs to 'protect the existing supply of leisure and community facilities in the town centre, and encourage the provision of new ones.' The plan does take in the Cinema at the Junction. "There are many disused buildings in Reading which could be turned to good use. We would like the Council to support a community venture, even a private venture, or encourage it to happen. "If the Council refuses to do anything for young people in Reading, further action will be taken. "If anybody else is angry about the lack of facilities in Reading, please pester the Council - write them letters! Moves are being made to find out the Council's stand on this subject - watch this space for further details." Laura - - - CENTRAL CLUB DISCLAIMER Central Club would like to make it clear that they are not connected in any way with the 'Black Beauty' contest to be held at the Old Town Hall in mid-April. The contest is a commercial venture organised by Mr Burton Richards. * Red Rag apologises to Central for thinking they had anything to do with it. - - - MUSICAL CROBBLE WORD We've only had one solution returned to us (I've seen several that were more complete - I expect they all cheated anyway - typist). So we declare the winner(s) to be Anna Miller of 37 Christchurch Rd (flat 2), and Dave Ring of 53 Falstaff Avenue, Earley.* Perhaps whoever offered the prize could get in touch with them? Perhaps the compiler could let us have a solution to print ? (* vice versa) - - - NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE - R.I.P. The Welfare State is dying but of unnatural causes. It's being slowly and deliberately killed off. In the end there will be only enough left to take care of the absolutely desperate casualties of this damaging society. The current focus in the master plan is the National Health Service, set up for the people, paid for by the people to provide health care free at the point of need. We in Reading and West Berkshire are in the front line of the attack. The Oxford Regional Health Authority produced a notorious document showing how they planned to save £12m in 1983/84. (It's now £8m since the low pay settlement in 1982.) They plan to cut services and jobs & give private profiteers the chances to rummage in the wreckage and see what they can salvage. In the longer term, the pattern is to be repeated in the whole country, if this government is re-elected, and then we'll be paying through the nose for services and watching even higher unemployment if that is possible! The N.H.S. is ours. What right has anybody to give it to profit hunters to plunder. Health care and profits don't mix. We must keep them apart: If we do nothing - it's N.H.S. R.I.P. We must put health before wealth & patients and people before profits. Anon - - - TV. COMMERCIALS ACTRESSES AND ACTORS If your dandruff has been noticeable lately, you could be the person we are looking for. We need people with dandruff to appear in T.V. Commercials for a leading shampoo. If you are aged 18-30, please write at once to the address below. In addition to the usual personal details, state your natural hair colour, and a telephone number where you can be contacted during the day. Please also enclose a recent portrait photograph (with s.a.e. if you would like this returned.) Write by 7th Aril to: Box No. 240, The Stage and Television Today, Stage House, 47 Bermondsay Street, London SE1 3XT. - - - READ IT IN THE PAPERS... Well well. Where will it end? Grovelling hacks from the Evening Post ringing up Collective members, with the assurance that "I'm an avid reader of Red Rag", to get us to put them in touch with animal rights activists (in connection with the flyposting of 'cancelled' notices on circus posters). Ringing up to say they've been onto the police in case they hadn't noticed the article on germinating cannabis seeds. Ringing up to discuss how the Post and the Rag could collaborate in "stitching up" Vernon Paxford - and then publishing a mish-mash of misquotations and information given in confidence (Mind you, who could resist using "Mr Matthews said.... 'Our great advantage is anonymity'"?!) And (more importantly) whitewashing Mr Paxford in the process, ("...he stressed that the Red Rag article had created a bad impression of his business methods"! What can you say?) The idea of "collaboration" suggested to us was that we could a) put the Post in touch with our contacts and b) publish material they wouldn't dare to. Their part was to quote what we said by getting Paxford to deny it. As it is, all they've quoted is the sensational language, like 'mafia boss'. The specific allegations of violence are ignored. If these "professional journalists" want to do us a favour, how about ten per cent of their income? Apparatchik - - - LANDLORD THREATENS TO SUE Red Rag freesheet Bedsit landlord Vernon Paxford is threatening to sue a "community newspaper" in Reading over serious allegations relating to tenancies of his property. The landlord who describes himself at "unorthodox" has strenuously denied claims made in the fortnightly freesheet. Mr Paxford, a company director who owns 11 properties in the heart of Reading's bedsit land has said the allegations made in the paper Red Rag are wild and unfounded. And he says a copy of the offending article it now in the hands of his solicitor. The article carried on the front page of Red Rag on March 6 describes Mr Paxford as a "mafia boss". It says he is a landlord "who preys on the down and outs and homeless of Reading". Methods It goes on to accuse him of using "strong-arm boys", and says "he exploits people who are living rough and have nowhere to go". Mr Paxford runs his business from a house in Reading's Baker Street and has already told the Evening Post that some of his business methods may seem unorthodox. Until earlier this month rent from many of his tenants was collected by his representative from outside the unemployment benefit office in Reading's South Street. The tenants' benefit cheques would be signed over with Mr Paxford's employee keeping £28 in rent while returning the rest in cash. After investigations by the Evening Post the system was changed, but not, says Mr Paxford, as a result of the Post report. But he has totally denied the Red Rag allegations. Earn Speaking from his Baker Street office, Mr Paxford said he did not employ henchmen or use strong-arm tactics. He said he is meeting a desperate need for cheap accommodation in the town for the jobless, homeless and those just out of prison. He agreed he was making a living out of his business but said he worked seven days a week to earn his money. And he stressed that the Red Rag article had created a bad impression of his business methods. He said the authors had no way of proving their claims and had no evidence to back them up. He says the £250,000 scheme could provide shelter for the low-paid homeless. Now he is waiting for advice from his solicitor before deciding whether or not to take further action against the Red Rag. One of the paper's writers has said he is not concerned at the threat of legal action. Anonymously Mr James Mathews is a leading organiser of Red Rag and contributes articles to what he described as "a community newspaper." He said the free sheet, with a present circulation of just over 1,100, is produced by a collective largely based at Norwood Road in Reading. Many of the articles it carries are contributed anonymously. The free sheet is distributed at the Acorn Bookshop in Chatham Street and at various points in the town. It is free of charge and rarely carries adverts but its organisers regularly seek financial contributions towards the running costs. Mr Mathews said the Red Rag authors received advice on legal matters from a "student at the university." Referring to the article on Mr Paxford, he said: "We realise the article is libellous and we always did. Our big advantage is anonymity. We haven't got any money anyway - even if he wanted to sue us." - - - PAPER PUBLISHES GUIDE to growing cannabis plants A Reading "alternative" newspaper is printing a step-by-step guide on how to grow the illegal cannabis drug plant. Bui police are taking legal advice to see if they can stop grow-your-own cannabis articles appearing. Readers of the latest free issue of Red Rag are given gardening tips on how to germinate their cannabis seeds and keep them out of sight. Price The article said: "Keep the pot just below a window sill so it can be seen from the sky but not from the road." The cannabis-growing advice column takes up hall of A4-size page nine in the March 19 issue of Red Rag. The-author of Herbert Herbson's Herb Growing Course suggests readers or Red Rag's 1,000 copies could grow cannabis for less than £5 Tor several ounces. This price is claimed to be much less than the imported marijuana from Lebanon, Morocco, or California and the article adds further tips will appear in the fortnightly paper. The attribution at the foot of the column is Reading LCC, which stands for Reading Legalise Cannabis Campaign. A spokesman for Reading Legalise Cannabis Campaign who wishes to be known as Bill, who claimed to have written the article, was unsure whether or not it was legal to publish the column. He said: "The legality is not certain but there's nothing wrong in giving advice on how to turn a seed into a flower." But Chief Insp Cliff Brown of Reading police said: "Similar articles have been brought to the notice of the police and legal advice is currently being sought." Bill said: "The police and customs are not above seizing ail sorts of material under the Obscene Publications Act." Customs He added the logo for his column was from a book called A Guide To Growing Marijuana in the British Isles, but this was now impossible to obtain. He said he would wait a while before continuing the column, but he thought Britain's cannabis smokers had the right to grow their own. "The black market in cannabis is worth about £1 billion a year which is having a huge effect on the country's economy. "Consumers don't want anything to do with the importers who are prepared to kill for profit." Other articles in the March 19 10-page issue of Red Rag, which is distributed to eight shops and between 800 and 900 houses in Reading include the planned CND Easter demonstration and the Reading May Day parade. - - - MONEY MATTERS The financial position has been pretty healthy for some time now. After the last issue had been paid for there was still £155 in the bank! That's about enough for two issues. Of course the position will only stay healthy so long as people go on giving us money! No return to the ragged Rags of Christmas! Forward into the New Financial Year! There are collecting boxes in Acorn Bookshop and Pop Records. Or send cheques (payable to 'Red Rag') or p.o.s to us c/o our treasurer, Flat 7, 66 Wokingham Rd. RED RAG Red Rag is Reading's only newspaper. It's free and has appeared fortnightly since 1979. Currently 1150 copies are printed of each issue. It is financed entirely by readers' donations. It is produced by a collective and has no editor. It has no links with any political party, group or line. Most of the material in it is submitted from outside the collective. We will print anything so long as it is not "racist, sexist, right-wing or supportive of oppressive religions" - money space and time permitting. We try not to edit articles without the author's permission. Articles for the next issue should be sent in by Thursday 14th April. Anybody keen to help with the next issue should phone 666324 or 662302. Why not come to the next (open) collective meeting on Sunday 10th April, 4pm at 24 Norwood Road? - - - EVENTS Mon 4th Anarchists - meet every Monday at 8pm. Ring 666681 for venue (They know where it is this time so you're in with a chance!) Ecologists - meet every second Monday at 8pm. Venue: 25, De Beauvoir Road. Ring Maria Collins on 663195 for details. Tues 4th Playschemes - throughout Reading until April 15th. Ring Patrick Chandler on 55911 ext 2069 for details. (Borough Council) ROAR (Reading Organisation for Animal Rights) This newly formed group is meeting in the back room of the Crown, Crown Street, to discuss plans for action. Tilehurst CND - Peace Canvass (Still not quite sure what that is) + fundraising. 86, Devonshire Gardens, (Wimpey Estate, off Long Lane) at 8pm. Wed 6th SWP - meet weekly in the Red Lion, Southampton Street at 8pm Thur 7th Claimants Action Group - meet every Thursday from 2 - 4 pm at the Centre for the Unemployed, East St. "How to answer difficult questions on Veganism" - Reading + District Vegan Group discussion meeting at 1, Orrin Close, Tilehurst. (phone 2l65l) 8pm. LPYS - Meet every Thursday, 8pm, Reading South Community fnord Centre. Vegetarian Dining - at Fairview Community Centre, George Street, (near central swimming baths) at 7:30pm prompt. A slap-up meal is available for £2 (tickets from Acorn Bookshop, 17,Chatham St. available the preceding week) "This is a co-operative project and deserves support." Vegan Newsletter. Gay Switchboard - every Friday 7 -9 pm tel. 597269 "The War Game" - showing with break for drinks - Woodley Labour Group. 7:45pm. Pavilion at Woodford Park, Woodley. Free. Anti-Nuclear Weekend at High Wycombe - Today: day of education and work for peace. Workshops and films at Bucks College of Higher Education Lecture Theatre, 10am - 6pm. 50p. European Theatre of War are performing in the evening at 7:30pm. Details for whole weekend - Diana Bartlett, High Wycombe 27128 or leaflet in Acorn Bookshop. Sat 9th Your rights... - East Reading Rights Group does a stall every Saturday from 11am - 1pm, outside the Baptist Chapel at Cemetery Junction. SWAG (Save Waste and Gain)- Monthly waste paper collection (proceeds to local charities) from Tilehurst Keymarkets; Palmer Park; Northumberland Avenue; St.Martin's Precinct (Caversham); fnord; Recreation Road, (Tilehurst); Cattle Market carpark Demonstration outside Fur Shops - meet at the station at 9am. Music Club - at the Women's Centre, all women and children welcome, bring guitars, recorders, etc. 11am. Every 2nd Saturday "Reading Abbey" - an archaeological day school organised by the University's extra-mural centre. Meet Abbey Gateway. 9:30 - 5pm. Booking should be made in advance. £3.50 (Extra-mural Centre is at the University's London Road site) "Link the Two War HQ.'s" - The High Wycombe action continues with a human chain from the RAF/NATO strike command at Nap Hill to the USAF base at Daw's Hill. 10,000 people needed. Congregate at noon at Daw's Hill Peace Camp. Link at 2pm. Rally afterwards. "Chopin and reggae evening" follows. Sun 10th Exhibition of old & new military vehicles - at 10am just off the main road near Purley. This display is just another part of the general acceptance in our society of war and killing being legitimate means of settling (but not solving) international disputes - the same acceptance that allows the production and use of nuclear weapons. Militarism must be challenged at all its levels. Come and join the demonstration 'phone Rdg 873072 for details. Ask for Andrew or Debbie. Transport will be available. "March, Rally & Fun" - at High Wycombe. Meet at noon at Hughendon Park, march to Holywell Mead headed by reps from British Peace Camps. Speeches poetry and entertainments afterwards. Something at the Labour Club in the evening. RED RAG Collective meeting open to everyone interested. All the leading organisers will be there! 4pm, 24 Norwood Rd. Mon 11th Games Festival - Poster making session - Centre for the Unemployed, afternoon - all welcome. The Festival will be in Palmer Park Adventure Playground on Saturday, 23rd 2-5pm. Anarchists - As last Monday only more so. Co-Counselling - a toolkit for personal change. Introductory evening 7:45pm, Queens Rd. Clinic, Queens Rd or tel. Clare Rdg 472535 or Ian on Yateley 875798 Wokingham Peace Group - Cruise & Peace canvass, Wokingham Town Hall, 8pm. Tues 12th Berkshire Anti-Nuclear Group (BANC) - showing the 'Peace Game' (government propaganda film). Discussion on the film and on fundraising (General Meeting) 8pm. Friends Meeting House, Church Street, off London Street. Wed 13th (New Moon) Central Reading BANC - meeting at Fairview Community Centre, George St. 7:45pm Details Paul on 597381 Friends of the Earth - Pub meeting: The Sun, Castle Street, 8pm. SWP - as last seek. New Games: meeting at Fairview community centre, bottom of George St, 7.30. To make posters and discuss games for Friday 23 event in Palmer Park. All welcome. For details phone John Hoggett on 580563. Thurs 14th "Murder by Government" - Amnesty's current campaign. Meeting at St. Mary's Centre, Chain Street at 8pm. Claimants Action Group - as last Thursday. Women's Health - 1st of a series of six evening sessions (WEA Industrial Branch) Today - Food: 'Nutrition, dieting, Women's role as providers, politics of advertising and food selling, wholefoods, cooking.' Tutor: Sue Lister. 7:30pm Centre for the Unemployed, East St. £1 per session £5 the lot (50p/£2.50 unwaged) For creche/lift/babysitting and details contact G.Stewart, 49, Northumberland Avenue. RED RAG - Copy deadline and planning meeting for the next issue. If you would like to help and are prepared to take your desires for reality (because you believe in the reality of your desires) then ring 662302 or 666324. Fri 15th "Protecting Our Water Supply" - given by a member of Thames Water, organised by Reading & District Branch of the Conservation Society, Geo. Palmer school, Northumberland Ave. 7-9pm. Free. Sat 16th Reading Tree Club - A visit to the High Wycombe Chair Museum under the guidance of Mr. I.G. Sparkes, Curator of the museum and historian of the Wycombe chair. Meet at 2:30pm at the museum, Castle Hill House, Priory Ave. High Wycombe. ERRG Stall - as last Saturday. "Our World Too" - Gay CND weekend in London. "To share and work around our feelings about nuclear war and disarmament, and to develop a clearer perspective on our potential contribution to the movement for peace and how we relate our gay politics to the wider issues involved." Designed to avoid conventional conference styles. Leaflets from Acorn Bookshop or Gay CND, 19,Lyme St.,London, NWl. £5 (£2,50 unwaged) for the two days. Crash space available. "Over our dead bodies" - Women against the bomb in Westminster's Central Hall. Speakers, singers, theatre, poets. Open to all. Details: Lenny Goodings at Virago Press, 01-499-9716 Clowning Session - Tips and advice on how to attract (& keep!) an audience: introduction to street theatre & juggling. Windsor Peace Group, 11am-1pm Labour Hall, St. Leonard's Rd., Windsor. Details from Bonnie, Windsor 59827 Girls Club Disco - (and 'creative work') at the Women's Centre every third Saturday. RED RAG - Production weekend. Today it's cutting out bits of paper and sticking them down again. If you want to take your desires for reality and acknowledge no frontiers to your creativity then telephone 662302 or 666324 and ask to join in. Sun 17th Coley Nurseries - open day, Wensley Road, 2:30-6pm. RED RAG - Folding and distributing. No previous experience necessary. An opportunity to apologise for your behaviour yesterday, pointing out that you are not used to strong drink and have been under a lot of pressure lately. Starts mid-late morning. Ring 662302 or 666324 to see if it's safe to come back. Mon 18th Co-operatives - "A step by step practical guide' 10 sessions, starting today, till Friday 29th. 2 - 4pm Centre for the Unemployed, East Street. Various speakers, details from Chris Miller at the Centre (596639). Free to unemployed. Caversham Neighbourhood Anti-Nuclear Group - Planning meeting at 70,St.Peter's Ave. 8pm Ecologists - Meeting at 39,Longbarn Lane. Ring Maria on 663195 for details. Anarchists - meet every Monday at 8pm. Ring 666681 for venue. Tue 19th "Reading Old & New" (Civic Society) "Gordon Rowley will show his unique and rarely seen collection of photos of Reading & Earley." 8pm Vachel Room, The Hexagon. Free. All welcome. Thur 21st Nutrition & Diet - Informal talk in the Thames Valley Natural Health Centre series "Help Yourself to Health". 8pm. Friends meeting house, 28, Denton Rd. Wokingham. Details: Solo tel. Crowthome 2061 or Ian tel. Bracknell 25343. - - - THE CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED is open Mon - Fri, all day. Among other things, benefit & other rights advice is available all the time, so are tea & coffee; there are classes in silkscreening (Tue 10-1), Batik (Wed 2-4), Homebrew (Fri 10-12), Sewing (Mon 1-3), Writers Workshop (Thur am), Managing Money (Wed am), Music (Thur all day), Bike Maintenance (Tue 11-1). There's also a Claimants Action Group (Thur 2-4) and Womens Sign-on Campaign (contact Edwina or Debbie) - - - THE WOMENS CENTRE is in the basement of the Old Shire Hall, Abbey St..... A place where you can get: - cheap tea & coffee - a book to borrow - a sit down & a rest - information about your rights - someone to talk to - a chance to learn new things - a place for the kids to play Open every Tuesday (10:30-2:30);Wed (l0-3); Sat 10:30-2). Also: Pregnancy testing, every Tuesday, 7-9pm, bring morning urine sample. Share childcare group, every Thursday (10:30- 12:30) for mothers and children. - - - A NEWSPAPER FOR THE UNEMPLOYED entitled "The Scrounger" (monthly to begin with) is starting. First issue is due out on May Day. Pick up your copy at the Old Town Hall on May Day (ie Sat. April 30th) or try Reading Centre for the Unemployed. If you want to get involved ask for Laura at the Centre for the Unemployed, 4-6,East St. - - - LIVING WITH VERNON PAXFORD Red Rag interviewed a former tenant of Reading's notorious bed-and-breakfast landlord Vernon Paxford. She has asked us not to print her name, for obvious reasons. --- When I first moved to Vernon's I had nowhere to go. Somebody mentioned him to me, so I phoned him up, and went there - where was it - Zinzan St. I sat there from 11 till 3 o'clock in the morning before he found me a bed in that house. ---How long were you there for? --- Oh, well over a year. I left last August. --- When you first went there, how did the rent get sorted out? --- One giro I didn't see at all. The Social Security sent it and Vernon got hold of it. I didn't even sign it - I don't know how he cashed it. But I know he got it because he told me he took it. --- Did he help you to start with? A lot of people say they've felt indebted to him because he found them a place and let them have a bit of spending money off the rent. ----Was that a bloke you spoke to or a woman? He's got a completely different approach to people. With a woman he's more inclined to make a sexual advance and give them money. He gave me twenty pounds when I first went there. Just like that, yes. --- Did you have to do anything for it? --- Well he wanted a few things doing but I didn't do them. I kept putting him off every night. He kept coming round about one in the morning. I was a bit confused at first, but luckily I got Vernon out, just by talking to him. One night he stayed 5 o'clock in the morning. He stuck me in a place on my own at first - and apparently, talking to the other girls in the house, he does this with all of them, him and his person that works with him. I think they have a contest, marking up how many they can get... Dreadful really, some of the girls are quite young. --- The girls that went to bed with him didn't do so because of his personality or anything, but more through obligation? --- Obligation. And he paid them. --- Did he pay them very much? --- I don't know. The first time he came round to me, he gave me £20 and 40 cigarettes. And I said, "I suppose you think you're going to get a bit now", 'cos I knew just what he was after. And he sort of laughed, and because I said that first, it took him off his drive slightly, he wasn't expecting it. --- Did the other girls register any complaints? --- They said he pestered them. The girls had terrible reputations, some of them, and it was all spread by Vernon. He was the one that started it, or his right-hand man. And then the girl would get known, then everybody would have a go. The girl had no option but to go to bed with them. There were very few rooms had keys anyway, so Vernon could walk in any time he wanted. --- Difficult to have keys for rooms with six people sleeping in them... --- The girls' rooms were usually cleaner anyway. I think the girls' rooms should have had locks on them. He would just walk in. It didn't matter if they were in bed, or in a state of undress, he would walk in. --- Someone I know got £25 rent, and was given a fiver back as spending money. Did he do that with you? --- He had a system of giving out loans twice a week. Usually up to a fiver, sometimes more. With me, he paid me for working. I was the manageress or whatever he called it. The skivvy. He used to lend money. But then you owed it to him, and sometimes it got so big that people couldn't pay it back. Then somebody'd be sent round to make quite sure that they did pay it back, or, take their whole giro off them. --- This guy I know got to keep the place tidy and look after some of the guys there, and in exchange he got a better room, a room on his own. --- That's what I did. We had a room on our own anyway, but we got a bigger room, say this size, rather than one where we fell over everything. He used to pay the managers £25 a week, then suddenly he said, "Well, the Social Security has caught up with me", and now he pays them, what, £6 to look after the house, cook the breakfast... --- What were the breakfasts like? ---It depended on who was cooking! If Vernon didn't have enough money to get breakfast, then they'd get something like baked beans on toast, or three boiled eggs, I used to fork out a bit so it was a bit more interesting... Part of your job was that if giros arrived, you weren't allowed to hand them to people, you had to hand them to him. Which I objected to, so I used to hand them out anyway... If you fell out with him, that was it, he found somebody else to do the job. --- How much money is he charging? --- When I was there it was £25 a week each. --- Do you need a licence for doing bed and breakfast? --- He should have, but he can't get them, because he hasn't got the fire facilities. --- He advertises some places as bed and breakfast, doesn't he? --- They're all bed and breakfasts in a sense. You all get bed, and you get breakfast. But they can't be classed as 'bed and breakfast accommodation' because he hasn't got the licence... In one house there was one toilet for twenty of us. And one bath. And the toilet was always blocked. --- Where was that? --- Zinzan St. --- Is he rich? --- No he's not. He's been bankrupt. Everything's in his wife's name. As he's bankrupt he can't put himself down as the owner, it's all done through his wife. --- Does his wife get involved with it, or is she a sort of sleeping partner? --- She helps clean some of the houses... Some of the houses never get cleaned from one day to the next anyway. --- How long has he been in Reading? --- Most of his life, I should think. --- How did he get bankrupt? --- Through running the houses. I don't know what he does with the money, he must rake in a fair bit. What is he charging now, £28.50?... I remember he told me the reason he did bed and breakfast was that if he did an evening meal he would be obligated to give people a week's notice before he could throw them out. Whereas now he can throw them out just like that. --- How many houses are there? --- About ten, eleven?... 116 Whitley St, 16 and 108 Basingstoke Rd, 48 and 50 Zinzan St, 15 Waylen St, Tilehurst Rd, the one on the corner of Waverley Rd, Pell St, no. 4 I think. London Rd there's a hotel, but I think he's lost that. He had to get rid of it because it wasn't making any money. --- The houses have tellies and things? --- Yes. Some of them have tellies in. They stopped doing it for a while, then started putting then back in. ---There was some sort of communal room? --- Yes. You weren't allowed heating in your bedroom. There was a notice put up about 'if you have a heater on in your room you'll be thrown out.' One communal room for all of you - can you imagine 20 people in a room about this size or a little smaller? --- How large is this room? --- About 15' by 12'. Sort of! --- Was that for fire risks then? --- No, because of his electricity bill. --- Was the kitchen open? ---Yes. --- Where did people keep their own food? --- In their room. If you left it in the kitchen it would get nicked anyway... Money was stolen quite a lot. --- Was there anywhere you could put it? --- No. You were lucky if you got a wardrobe. Some people just had their clothes on the floor. Sometimes there were about five of you in one room and one wardrobe. Because he had to put the beds in, he couldn't fit the furniture to go with them! --- How does he manage to crowd so many in? --- There was an art to it actually! --- I mean legally. --- Vernon has had notices put up in his houses about overcrowding. The Council did come round. But you see, it says, as soon as one person leaves, you've got to leave the bed vacant. But the Council don't know who's in the house. So one leaves and one goes in straightaway. --- What about fire regulations? --- No. In one house I remember he had it done. It didn't work anyway. --- Was there a register of who was in the house? Did people know where to assemble? --- No. --- What about fire extinguishers? --- No. Not even in the kitchen. --- How many people were in the house you were in? --- About twenty. --- What sort of size was that? --- There was kitchen, bathroom, dining area, then two rooms downstairs, two on the next floor, and two up on top. --- What sort of people does he take in? --- Well, he's got quite a few people who've come out of hospital, Fairmile. He's got these two blokes together and ridicules them, really. He uses them for doing odd jobs, and pays them about a pound a day, for quite a lot of manual work. Some of the houses have parties, and once one of these guys came back with his nose completely broken. So I asked "How did that happen?" and he said "Well, one of the blokes did it." And Vernon was at the party and just let it happen. These two guys were obviously quite sort of simple, they just need a bit more care than they're getting at Vernon's. --- He's used by the Social Services, isn't he, when they've got someone who's homeless...? --- Yes. The police use him a lot. --- The guy who got a broken nose, is he still at Vernon's? --- Yes. There's not much chance for him. He's hardly likely to get in any other place, somewhere that would fit his sort of mentality. He was quite difficult. He used to drive me up the wall sometimes... They're like children really. They might row between themselves., but they weren't violent, they just got ridiculed at Vernon's. --- Did he ever threaten you? --- Me personally? No. --- Do you know of anybody who's come across Vernon's violence? --- Yes. This guy got his giro - he didn't owe any rent, but Vernon insisted that as he didn't give any notice (which you shouldn't have to do in bed and breakfasts anyway) - that he had to pay the rent. So Willy - I think he's left Vernon's - started hitting him and said, "Give me your giro". And the bloke had to give so much money to Willy just to get him off... Which means that you can't really leave Vernon's. Once you're at Vernon's you can't get away... He was pretty good with me, I must admit - because he knew that I'd create otherwise. If he doesn't like someone and wants them to move he'll put them in a room where there's someone who's a troublemaker anyway. And everything will be done to get rid of him, because Vernon said he wants rid of him. I've seen a bloke thrown in the bath and generally ridiculed, because Vernon didn't want him in his houses. -- You mentioned a 'person who works with him'? --- That was Willy, but Willy's gone off on his own now, apparently. He's still got his sort of, as I call them, his heavy mob, his back-up boys. I remember someone stood up to them once and - it's surprising - they're all right until you stand up to them. They all came round because they'd heard there was trouble in the house - there wasn't really, there was a little fight, which was sorted out - and they came round with iron bars to sort it out. By the time they came they were quite aggressive. But when this person had a go - they left... Once when a guy said he didn't get his giro, I've seen one of Vernon's blokes take him downstairs and start beating him up and going down his pockets, saying "Give me your money". Which he'd no right to do! --- When was that? --- Last year. The guy was drunk, too, and didn't really know what was going on. --- He doesn't personally do the violence? --- No. He uses people in the houses to do the violence. They're the ones who get into trouble with the police. Not Vernon. It's quite crafty, really, the way he does it. If a person hits somebody because Vernon didn't like him, that person may get done for assault, but Vernon won't. He wasn't around at the time. He used to stay in his car most of the time - he never got involved in the actual violence. --- How come he's dodged the police for so long? --- I haven't got a clue! That often used to puzzle me. He's got to get done one day. His luck's not going to be with him all the time. --- I suspect Vernon's left alone in a lot of instances, because if you've got any down and outs, or drunks - like this friend of mine, who had nowhere else to go and was 'trouble' because he used to get drunk - Vernon would take them. He'd say, "Look, you play it cool with me and I'll play it that way with you." And that was fine, until there was any trouble... There was also the East End Cafe that he used to run. The Social Services would actually send people there when there was nowhere else to go. It was a fleapit, an absolute fleapit. Downstairs he used to have just rows of machines, and there were black kids, all under age, from Cemetery Junction there till ten o'clock playing those machines. But he was providing a service, albeit a bad one. And, so long as he was going to provide that service, no-one was going to mind if he took a few back-handers and did his own bit of dirty work now and then. --- I remember once the police raided all his houses, and took our sheets away. Apparently all of them were knocked off! So we were left with no bedding... The sheets are in terrible condition. Never ironed or pressed, really screwed up and dirty. Even when they've been washed - obviously so many were put into a washing machine they didn't actually come up clean. Same with blankets and everything. --- What happened after the police raided the place? --- Well they got new sheets put in... I think Vernon got away with it on the fact that he had a receipt - a hand-written receipt but it still counts. --- We've heard he sells people a letter saying they're staying at one of his addresses... --- Oh yes, he does that. One guy I know did it for ten pounds I think. Another guy who'd left Vernon's paid every week, he was getting more money by claiming at Vernon's, and Vernon was charging him £10 a week to use that address. So Vernon still had a hold over him! --- What about the Festival? Last year I knew a girl who used to come to work absolutely wrecked because she'd been doing breakfast and things before coming to work, and was really desperate for money. She was working at the Festival, for Vernon, and was getting about a fiver a day for selling goods at very expensive prices. A lot of the rock fans there were giving a lot of stick to the people who were serving, and they didn't have any say in it. I saw Vernon there, sitting in his chair in the background. He seemed to have a lot of people around him. It's very like the mafia in that way, the family is there, built out of fear, a lot of them. --- Yes I think it is. I suppose I found him a bit awesome at times. You were a bit scared of him. Because you've got nowhere to go, and he could throw you out if he wanted. And he uses that as a threat. --- What did he threaten to throw people out for? --- Fighting, or being drunk. Or if they hadn't paid their rent. Supposing their giro hadn't come - even if the person had got the letter - "Oh, we'll have to throw you out". Mind you, if you owed him money, he wouldn't threaten it. He'd get his money first. But it was usually the stronger people he didn't like, the people that could stand up to him. If he's got you in the palm of his hand, then he's OK with you, but as soon as he knows that you can stand up to him, you become a threat to his existence. I think he found it quite difficult at the end with me - I think he was pleased to see me go. --- You give the impression of being fairly independent! He doesn't actually own the houses? ---Most of them are rented. I know of one where he got notice because his cheques were bouncing on the property... You don't stay in one place. I was moved four times, in just over a year, to four different houses. So you can't really get settled. I found it quite hard moving. He'd come in one night and say, "You're moving tomorrow - get packed." Just like that. And then he'd bring his van round and move about eight of you all at once. --- Why did he do that? --- I don't really know. He just used to move people around. Continually. I've known people being moved six, seven times, in a very short space of time. One house I do know he owed rent on and the landlord gave him notice. Also some of the houses he shouldn't have been letting out. --- Do you know anyone who still lives at Vernon's? --- Quite a few people. --- Are they not able to move out as you've done? --- Well. A lot of then don't work. On Social Security you get, what, £25 on top of rent, so by the time you've bought your food... And it's finding places as well... But they're just in such a situation that they cannot move. And they're a bit frightened of Vernon himself. "Will Vernon find me when I'm out?" Because I've known Vernon go to find people when they've moved out, if they owe him money. He's gone and waited at the Social for them, the day they sign on. --- Like the woman in the Red Rag article: she'd moved out, and he was claiming she owed him rent for two weeks when she was in hospital - and she needed an escort of several people to get and cash her giro, with people following her around, saying "We'll get your money anyway." --- That's it. And they take it off people if there's nobody there with them. Because they'd be too frightened to move... And it seems to get known. Whenever somebody's going to move out, Vernon knows about it. If somebody's said something, it all gets back to him. Everything gets back to Vernon. Sometimes it's a load of old crap that gets back to him I must admit!... But everybody sort of crawls to Vernon. --- Did you part amicably? --- Reasonably, yes. - - - WHICH? RIGHTS On looking at the Which? Guide to Your Rights, I came to the conclusion that "Which rights?" was probably the appropriate reaction. Basically I was interested in the aection entitled Criminal Law, with respect to Your Rights when you're the suspect. A Brief Outline If police stop and question you, you nust give your name and address only 1) if you are driving a motor vehicle, 2) if you are suspected of possessing an illegal drug, a firearm without a licence, or an offensive weapon, 3) if you are suspected of having committed an offence involving violence towards children, or of creating a disturbance at a public meeting, or of not paying your rail fare. You may also be detained without arrest if you are suspected of any of the offences in 2) and 3). Police may search you without arrest if they are searching you for drugs, for firearms, or for stolen property. They must have 'reasonable grounds' for believing you possess these, and you are entitled to know exactly what they are searching for. Police may enter your house only if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of peace is about to occur there, and with intent to prevent this - unless they have a warrant. If they have a warrant you are entitled to inspect it before the search is carried out. Once detained or arrested your access to legal advice is entirely at the discretion of the police, and the same is true of letting anyone know of your whereabouts. During a long interrogation you have neither the right to rest nor refreshment. You do not have the right to sit down. But your treatment must not fall within the definition of 'oppressive' interrogation, recently defined as interrogation which 'so affects the mind of the suspect that his will crumbles'. Fingerprints may only be taken by consent, unless a court order is given. Under the prevention of terrorism act, people can be detained for 7 days without charge. Analysis This is, in short, not a list of your rights, but a list of the rights of the police, and it is clear that they are very extensive. You must invariably give your name and address; after all, it is for them to say when they suspect you, and easy enough for them to manufacture reasons. The same applies both for searching you and for detaining you. The limits on the time they may detain you without charge are also fairly meaningless. It would be easy to manufacture a charge, and once charged they may hold you as long as they like (the Greenham 5 were imprisoned for two weeks immediately following their arrest - six months before their trial). Nevertheless, I suppose the disorientation of arrest without charge might be quite disturbing, or frightening; it is for this reason that the new Police Bill, which will enable the police to hold you for 96 hours without charge, should be opposed. In all, you have almost no rights. You may be detained at police discretion. You may be harassed, humiliated, and subjected to unbearable conditions, without right of appeal. I urge our readers to write to their MP, complaining about these infringements of our liberty, and especially about the potential for further infringement in the Police Bill presently in the news. - - - Do you want to help people know their rights? The EAST READING RIGHTS GROUP needs new members. What do we do? - provide information and advice on such matters as S.B., unemployment and sickness benefit, rate & rent rebates,etc to people living in the East Reading area We do this by operating a stall with a wide range of leaflets for two hours (11am-1pm) every Saturday outside the Wycliffe Church at Cemetery junction. - offer advice to anyone having difficulty understanding a leaflet or wanting help on a specific problem. Since none of us are experts on welfare rights, we have a wide range of reference books available on the stall. If we can't answer a question we refer people to the appropriate agency for expert help. Our primary aim is not to be able to answer every conceivable question on entitlement to benefits, but rather to encourage people who have a clear entitlement to claim their rights. - publicise benefits by periodically leafleting the Newtown area with handouts produced by ourselves. Some of us also give talks, when invited, to other bodies to publicise peoples' rights to benefits. We have run periodic training courses open to the public. Who are we? The East Reading Rights Group is a voluntary organisation run by a committee which consists of all its members. We have been running a stall for seven years, and we urgently need new members What would you do? All that is required of a new member is that you will be willing to give one hour every 5th or 6th Saturday to running the stall and be willing to familiarise yourself with the reference material. Anyone interested in joining should telephone Elizabeth Heale (Rdg 665589) or Sarah del Tufo (Rdg 666184) or come along between 11am and 1pm any Saturday morning, or come to our next meeting at the Wycliffe Church, on Thursday, 12th May at 8pm. - - - LETTERS... Dear Red Rag, I have been really pleased to see so much action being taken about the homeless situation. The front page was good - have you had any positive results from it? Can I suggest that you do a bit more on the causes of homelessness. The effect has been, and is being, (pioneered by your 'Rag') well publicised, and no doubt will continue to be so, but though you and I may know all too well of the causes, I believe you will find many who don't. Many people may feel compassion for the people suffering, but there is an easy escape clause for them in the form of, "They must be homeless due to their own mistakes." Whilst this is true of a minor percentage, it is not true of all. If you could cover how people do become homeless, and the high probability of it being an inevitable result of the recession, particularly for those with young children, you would reach more people. The first part of my piece was cut, no doubt because it was a very long-winded essay, but you did miss out what I believe was important, the choice families have: rent or food, fuel or rent. We know the decisions that have to be made, but believe me not everyone does. Take a Council official: rent comes first, no question about it. But could you in all honesty deny children their daily sustenance for the benefit of the rent man? Gas and electricity people are the same: fuel bill money comes before food. If it were a temporary situation then no doubt it would be easier to go without - but it's not temporary, you have to keep going without indefinitely. Whilst government bodies or individuals can make believe it is due to lack of responsibility, misplaced priorities, or whatever they choose to call it, no real progress will be made for the people heading for and suffering from homelessness. No bullet is any good for any gun unless you know how to load it, there is a middle procedure to all things, and in the case of action for the homeless an important part has been missed out. How can people help if they don't fully understand? They can be enraged and mortified, but to be helpful they must have the full facts of the matter. Eve (This letter is from the author of the article on homelessness on p2 of the March 6th issue. Sorry it didn't go in last time.) Dear Red Rag, In your last issue Reading Claimants Action Group stated that the DHSS were introducing visual ethnic monitoring. It is in fact the Unemployment Benefit Offices which are going to practice that little piece of racism. As regards to Unified Housing Benefit the rent will be paid direct to the landlords by the DHSS in liaison with the local councils. Finally I would like to mention a fellow co-operative who have written to you but had no reply. They are Rainbow Dragon Screenprinters who do all sorts of printing, eg T-shirts, posters, signs, etc. Have you thought about having some Red Rag T-shirts made? Why not give them a call? You've nothing to lose and everything to gain. Yours in Peace, John Illegible PS The 'phone number is Newbury 32922 ++Sorry this didn't go in the last issue. - - - ECO DEFENCE POLICY On 29th March, the Ecology party had a meeting at St. Mary's Centre, with a speaker on their policies for defence. The talk went quite well, and there was a lively discussion afterwards. Rather than rewrite my hastily scribbled notes, I shall quote directly from a leaflet given out at the time. Policies 1. The U.K. should cease forthwith to possess or research into nuclear, chemical or biological weaponry, and should encourage other countries to follow suit. 2. Britain should withdraw from NATO, and all foreign military installations on British territory should be removed immediately. 3. We would encourage other European countries to join us in securing the removal of Soviet and American personnel and equipment from Europe, and establishing a genuinely defensive, non-nuclear, non-aligned European Alliance incorporating countries in both Eastern and Western Europe. 4. Having unilaterally renounced all nuclear weapons, Britain should continue to possess conventional weapons systems exclusively suited to a defensive role. Spending on defence should be progressively reduced to the minimum level compatible with the aims stated above. Serious nuclear disarmament by the superpowers would enable Britain to begin the process of conventional disarmament thereby keeping up the impetus. 5. There would be a high diplomatic price to pay for an attack on the U.K. in terms of the aggressors relations with other countries, especially once Britain had renounced nuclear weapons and publicly declared its neutral stance. To enhance the deterrent value of this diplomatic factor, we would operate early warning systems and conduct intelligence gathering operations in order to give the earliest warning of any possible preparations for an attack. 6. Present civil defence plans should be scrapped. Possibilities of protecting the general population in the event of a conventional attack or wind-carried radiation should be investigated. 7. Immediate priority should be given to developing realistic strategy of nonviolent resistance to potential aggressors. This would be based on more self-sufficient communities and the involvement of the majority of the population, who would be educated in methods of non-violent resistance to any invading or occupying power. Such methods would include the complete withdrawal of labour, cooperation and goodwill so as to make the country effectively impossible to govern. As the general population took over the responsibility for defence, men and women would participate equally. 8. Britain should cease immediately to participate in the commercial arms trade, or to export other military technology and expertise, as an important step towards demilitarising the world. We should urge other countries to do the same. (Specific supplies of defensive equipment would be considered in the case of neutral countries threatened with attack, including our partners in the new European alliance.) 9. We should immediately stop the export of nuclear technology, and urgently press all other nuclear countries to do the same in order to halt global nuclear proliferation. 10. Priority would be given to implementing existing plans for the conversion of military industries to socially useful production. Where no such plans exist they would be developed. 11. Britain should work towards the creation of an effective international peacekeeping force which would be trained to use nonviolent methods. Britain must also work to strengthen the UN organisation, which has a vital role to play in the future maintenance of world peace. Several flaws are immediately apparent, one being the maintenance of a conventional army, and the export of 'defensive equipment' to 'neutral countries', while professing a philosophy of non-violence. Also it seems possible that international effectiveness, the protetcion of national integrity, and decentralisation, are incompatible. Nevertheless, to see even a part of the policies put into practice would be a wonderful thing. - - - * ADS * SINGLE ROOM to let in shared house. Pref. for a woman, pref. vegetarian + non-smoking. £14 pw. tel.666681 HELP.... I have lost a book of non-competitive games. It is a big red paperback with pictures of kids in it If you find it please 'phone John on 530563. Thanks. DID ANYBODY buy a sky blue cotton dress, with buttons down the right side and a white pattern down the left, at the Red Rag jumble sale on March 12th? Because it wasn't meant for the jumbly at all, just happened to be in the same room as stuff that was. And the owner - who is nothing to do with the Rag - is a bit cross and would rather like it back! Please ring 666681. Apologies all round. HOME WANTED!! For 3 people and 2 cats in April. Univ. area or Cemetery Junction. Ring Kim or Mark on 871013. - - - ADVERTISING In theory we take advertisements. In practice we haven't much, mainly because most people aren't that keen on the idea. Rates: quarter page (145x100mm) - £5. half page (290x100mm or 145x205mm) - £10. We won't accept any ad we don't like, for whatever reason! We'd prefer them small so they don't look like editorial copy. Ads will be labelled "Paid advertisement" and must be prepaid. Small ads are free. So are listings in events and going out. If we like what you're doing and you haven't any money we'll probably print an ad for it anyway. But if you have got money... Outlets got a free listing; they would probably be suitable advertisers. The four pages on the May Day Festival in this issue are included on the basis that we're happy to let the May Day committee have one page free (in return for a free stall at the Festival) and they are paying £15 each for the other three, i.e. £45. - - - A FAIR EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY 0.K?, 'I've got some apples.' 'I've got some oranges.' 'Apples cost 5p each?' 'So do oranges!' 'I'll swap you an apple for an orange.' 'Hmm, alright!' And it came to pass that there was mighty inflation in the economy of the nation and prices did rise most hideously - as you shall see. 'I've got two apples.' 'I've got two oranges.' 'Apples cost £1 each.' 'Never mind. I'll swap you an orange for an apple.' 'Fat chance! I told you, apples cost £1 each!' 'I know that. So do oranges.' 'Oh yeah! So they do!' 'I'll swap you an orange for an apple.' 'Alright.' - - - OUTLETS Red Rag can be picked up from any of the places listed below. Figures in brackets are the number of copies each is currently getting! Acorn Bookshop. 17 Chatham St (100) Pop Records. 172 King's Road (40) Central Club, bottom of London St (40) Lay.er Records. Butts Centre (40) Ken's Shop. Students' Union, Whiteknights (35) Our Price Records. Butts Centre (30) The Emporium. Merchants' Place (off Friar St) (25) Mace Grocer. 2 Crown Colonnade, Cemetery Junction (25) Johal Cash & Carry. 14 Cholmeley Road (20) Bridge Stores. 6 Bridge St, Caversham (25) - There are several other shops which take Red Rag but do not wish to appear in this list. Why not go and ask for it at your local newsagent? Or suggest to them that they take it? If you have any problems in getting a copy, give your address to Distribution on 666681, and have it delivered free to your door! (If you've already done that and it's not getting through, ring us again. Could it be that you've moved and haven't told us?) Basingstoke: is there anyone who goes regularly to Basingstoke, where apparently they're crying out for Red Rag but can't get it? Ring 666681. We'd be interested if anyone goes to other local towns too. - - - VEGETARIAN DINING Greetings Vegibods! Just a note to let you know what's happening. The last vege dining was held on March 18th, we - the cooks had good fun and the 'eaters' seemed to be appreciating the food and they said afterwards that they enjoyed the food and that they'd had plenty to eat etc... Good news man, this is what Vege Dining is about! Anyway here's what we had to eat... (it was all vegan by the way except for a bit of honey in the pudding.) Thick tomato soup Mezze dishes:- Hummus Avocado guacamole Skordalia Aduki been salad Rice salad Celery Condiment of sea salt, black pepper and fennel seed.. Deep fried mushrooms in batter. Pears in red wine sauce. And of course the meal was accompanied by John's fab home-made bread. Also for your interest, we have now bought some equipment- some bowls, 3 big tupperware containers, a soup bucket and a stew-cauldron, and some napkins and tablecloths. The next Vege Dining function is on April 8th, and tickets (price £2-00) are on sale at Acorn Bookshop until 6th April. See you there! Luv and bon appetit, Anski. - - - STAND TOGETHER Going out to Padworth to join the human chain. (The bus driver: you've got a lot of support, haven't you?) Bright gorse flowers by the road. Your roving reporter visits the press tent, for a giggle and gets one: Michal Pentz (i.e.famous person) giving forth to reporters and avid listeners. Hum. Anyone standing waiting to join hands in the chain must've got pretty bored if they hadn't got a role or two (Red Rag doesn't make as good a shield as Socialist Worker, but it's a prettier colour). The logistics of joining hands along 14 miles seemed to require a willingness to give and take directions, if not orders, though some at least were issued tongue in cheek. Even a hardened cynic (such as your r.r.) couldn't help thrilling at the rush of balloons into the sky. Meeting exhausted friends who'd been blockading Burghfield and holding the support camp together, as well as people from all over the place - do you talk to people you know or people you don't know? I did see some black people, not many. Conclusions? On the festival site the shortest queue was for hamburgers, to the delight of some vegetarians. Music and stalls and jugglers and inflatables and people relaxing. "When the sun came out everyone survived. "And - AND- the Fallout Marching Band, the high spot of any action, as they always seem to be there. A troupe of wildly dressed musicians and stiltwalkers with more rhythm, than the rest of us put together. Anyone who listened for long seemed to want to join! The "Christian slot" among the speakers palled into insignificance. The Band's music is still in my head as I type this, and it certainly sustained me during the amazingly silly two hours it took to bus it back to Reading. I wonder if that queue of coaches is still there? R.R.R.R. P.S. Decided not to go to the Greenham end - logistics of distance partly. But such a dirth of information about it. Apparently women got over the gate and arrests were made. Heard about a woman getting concussed in a police van there 2 weeks ago - it's not always as low profile as most of us found. Anyway, for any women interested in the women's peace movement, there's a Brighton-based paper "Lysistrata" that carries a lot about Greenham. From 7, Florence Road, Brighton, Sussex. tel B'ton 553466. (soon to be Brighton Wimmin's Peace Place.) 45p +postage. - - - ROF BURGHFIELD PAMPHLET A well-timed appearance of the background information most of us are missing about Burghfield Royal Ordnance Factory, though since the Easter Actions most of us will realise it exists, despite Ordnance survey evidence to the contrary. This pamphlet doubles as the history of the Peace Camp that was situated near Burghfield for a large part of last year. Some of the correspondence the camp had with the Factory Director is included as well as entries from the camp diary. It makes sense to get an idea of what's happening on our doorstep. Read it. 50p from Acorn or (probably) at various meetings around the place yes? - - - England, England: Talking World War Three Blues or THE DEVIL'S HIGHWAY BLUES FROM SILCHESTER ROMAN TOWN. 31st March 1983. Burghfield Blockade. CND - NVDA. Waking at Pitchkettle Wood before All Fools' Day Giant Marquees looming up out of the dark Howling of Alsatian Dogs at Burghfield Thoughts on daughters in a distant place. Three lifetimes ago it seems, well, 1955, I Travelled down from Norton Barracks To Hermitage: School of Military Survey Playing football for Newbury Town Qualifying as F.A. Coach and growing up Among young, thoughtless, ignorant Royal Engineers "Just doing our job" the industrial curse Never dreaming of Suez, Cyprus,or "ideas" Unaware of Nonviolent Resistance: Civil Disobedience But, fortunately, I found out about Tolstoy and Thoreau: as well as Puskas and De Stefan I joined that army of vagrants and wanderers Pacifists and Clowns; anarchists and poets On The Road to Somewhere: The Devil's Highway. dennis gould. for sasha(l3) and Kate(lO). - - - APRIL 1ST IN DEEPEST BERKS. "At least it's not raining." "Do you mind if we stop holding hands for a moment - my hands are cold." "Are they from the Anarchist Party?" "I didn't even know I was coming, did I?" "It's just a pile of mud, isn't it?" "Do you know about coaches back to Reading?" "I thought I'd gone blind - I turned round and got a black flag over my eyes." "When he put on his white trousers I realised he was not coming." "We're the only ones left holding hands." - - - MAY DAY '83 Sponsored by Reading Trades Union Council March 12 noon Assemble at 11.45, Old Shire Hall, Abbotts Walk, Reading Town Centre. Bring your banners, placards, leaflets, novelties - and lots of people Rally 12.50 Jim Mortimer general secretary, Labour Party Winston Pinder general secretary, Afro-Caribbean organisation Greenham Common peace camp representative Richard Evans Labour prospective parliamentary candidate Jack Dromey national officer for public services, Transport and General Workers Union (previously secretary, south east region TUC) Old Town Hall From 1pm to 5.30pm Food & refreshments, free creche, cartoons May Day Fair from 2pm Film 2.15pm "Winstanley" The May Day Entertainment Aldbrickham Band Saturday 30 April, 8pm - midnight Old Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading Ceilidh £2 (£1 unwaged) Plus: Singers Spot + Bob Wokeling Plus: "Winstanley" + Cartoons in separate room An event for all the family Advance tickets Acorn Bookshop or your organisation or phone Reading 868437, 27781, 861305, 477073 Free draw for advance tickets March Calling all trade unions and organisations - official banners are a must, as well as your placards and leaflets. The Reading Trades Union Council theme is the fight against anti-union laws. Democratic rights and Peace are parallel themes. All groups will have their own variation. Lunch - Food - Drink No need to stay at home or go home after the march or rally. Food will be available as usual, from about 12.30 pm on. May Day Fete In the Town Hall immediately after the Rally and speeches. There will be several things happening at once. In separate rooms there will be food, a creche, cartoons and a film. In the main hall will be the stalls, displays, sales, video, campaigns and information. Stalls A great variety of groups and organisations from Reading and District always book stalls to do their own thing. Is your organisation going to miss out on this captive audience? Those attending the Rally will be among the stalls from about 12.50pm so prepare for the rush. Stall, hirings are organised by Ray Parkes, so give him a ring on Reading 27781 - there may be some left. Don't forget the children there may be something you can offer them. Children No need to leave them at home. There will be a free creche all afternoon, and for those over creche age (no upper limit!) there are cartoons and a slide show. The march is basically along Broad Street, round the Butts and back along Friar street - everyone can manage that. Trade Unions Do they exist? Do they want to prove it? Banners at the march and rally are essential, so are trade union stalls. We must communicate to counter public indifference and hostility. Afternoon Entertainment Always a successful spot, using the stage in the main hall where the stalls are. Inclusion is open to all who wish to sing, read, act, speak and entertain. The MC has the right to decide the programme. Performances with a message. Evening Entertainment Bar, music, social, 1 1/2 hour film, cartoons (for all ages) guest spot, songs. What more do you want! This will be a full evening of entertainment for all ages. The Aldbrickham Band (Aldbrickham was Thomas Hardy's name for Reading in his "Wessex Tales"). It is well known in the south and has played at the Hexagon on Saturday lunchtimes. Their music is foot-tapping and compelling for the ceilidh - this is no genteel country dance! All dances are taught and called, absolutely no experience required (some say more fun is to be had by the inexperienced). Aldbrickham may have percussion and play loud, but you can talk to each other during the music, so this is a social as well as a dance. Children are welcome to the dance and/or cartoons. Bob Wakeling Has a wide range of songs, guaranteed to make you laugh and think at the same time. You can join in too. The Bar ...is provided by the Central Club. "Winstanley" The Diggers and Levellers were radicals of the 'New Commonwealth' of Oliver Cromwell. "Was the Earth made to preserve a few covetous, proud men to live at ease, and for them to bag and barn up the treasures of the Earth from others, that these may beg or starve in a fruitful land; or was it made to preserve all her children?" Gerrard Winstanley, 1649 For pursuing these sorts of ideas Diggers (Winstanley was a Digger, or 'True Leveller') and Levellers were ruthlessly put down by Cromwell. Some of the Levellers were executed against the church wall in Burford, not far away from Reading, in Oxfordshire. The history of rank and file ideas and struggle is conveniently forgotten in conventional history teaching, presumably because the Diggers were early communists, long before the time of Karl Marx. The Film Leading up to the annual commemoration of Burford Levellers Day (on 13 May) we are showing the one and a half hour film about the Diggers and Levellers. Their struggles of over 300 years ago, and their ideas are still relevant today. But the film is not just a dry history lesson - try it and see - it is a dramatised account from the English Revolution. It will be shown at the Old Town Hal at 2.15 and also as part of the evening entertainment. Christopher Hill The Industrial Branch of the WEA has invited Christopher Hill an eminent historian, to give a talk about the Diggers and Levellers. Tuesday 10 May 7.30pm, Unemployed Workers Centre, East Street. Burford Levellers Day Friday 13 May, 8pm in Burford. Tickets are now selling well - £1.50 before May Day, £2 after. Available on May Day at the reduced price. Speakers include Joan Ruddock on the theme of 'The Levellers and Peace today', and Dudley Edwards, Socialist historian. There will be a torchlight procession, songs by the Workers Music Association, and the ticket includes wine and cheese. - - - RED RAG'S Famous Going Out Guide from Monday April 4 Monday 4 Hexagon - Jim Davidson show, 5 & 8 pm. 5pm: £2.50 - 4 + conc, 8pm £3-5 Bull Hotel Nettlebed - Folk club 8ish. Tue 5 Tudor Arms - gay disco 8ish free. Fives - Seychelles Hexagon - A Nite of Fame. 7:30 £2,2.50 + conc. Also 6th. Village Hall, Victoria Rd, Tilehurst - Derek and Christine's Easter show. 10 - 12am. 75p. 4-11 yr olds. Apollo Oxford - Joan Armatrading 7:30ish. £? Wed 6 Grosvenor House, Kidmore Rd, Caversham - Jazz. 8ish. Free. Thu 7 Target - Terraplane. 8ish. Village Hall, Theale - as 5th in Tilehurst. Hexagon - Clannad, 7:30, £3-4 Fri 8 Caribbean - Ballistics. 8pm. £1.50. Hexagon - Dave Brubeck. 7.30. £3.50 - 5.50. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8ish Free South Reading Community Centre, Northumberland Avenue - as 5th in Tilehurst. South Hill Park - Parikian, Fleming, Roberts Trio 8pm £2.75 - 3. - Taxi Driver 11pm £1.90 + conc. Also 9th. Sat 9 Central Club - steel band dance. 10.30ish. £2.50 Hexagon - Focus on Sanity (jazz) 12.15. Free. - Planxty. 7,30 £3.50-4.50. South Hill Park - Pat Ryan (folk). 8pm. £1.20 - 1.50. Sun 10 Allied Arms - Folk night. 8ish. Free. Hexagon - Alexei Sayle 7.30. £3. S.H.P. - The Zoo Robbery (U) + short + serial 12.15. 75p - Robin Hill & Peter Wiltschinsky (guitar recital) 8pm, £1.80-2. Mon 11 Hexagon - The Rivals. 7.30'. (+ Weds mat. 2.30) £2.50 - 4 + conc. Till 16th. Bull Hotel, Nettlebed - folk club. 8ish. £? S.H.P. - Tron (U) 2.30 and 5pm. £1.90 + conc, till 17th. - Manganinndie(U) 7.30pm. " " " - Trees (talk) 8pm. Free. Tue 12 Fives - 0n the Game. 8ish. Free. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco 8 free Village Hall, Recreation Rd, Burghfield Common - as 5th Tilehurst S.H.P. - Lennie Best with Art Thomon. 8pm. £1.90 - 2.10. Apollo, Oxford - Fidelio. 7.15. £4 -14. Wed 13 Grosvenor House, Kidmore Rd, Caversham. Jazz. 8pm. Free. Blagdon Rd Nursery - as 5th in Tilehurst. Apollo, Oxford - Madam Butterfly. 7.15. £4 - 14. Thu 14 Target - Tony McPhee band. 8ish Hexagon - The Great Kovari. 10.30am & 2.30. (Sat 10.30 only), £2 (£1.50 kids). Till 16th. Walford Hall, Carey St - as 5th in Tilehurst. Apollo, Oxford - The Cunning Little Vixen. 7.15. £4 - 14. Fri 15 Caribbean Club - Rhythm System. 10.30ish. £1.50 Tudor Arms - gay disco 8ish free. Southcote Community Centre, Coronation Square - as 5th Tilehurst. S.H.P. - Chopin in words and music. 8pm. £1.80 -% £2 - Saturday Night Fever (X) 11pm. £1.90 + conc. Also l6th. Sat 16 Progress theatre - Chekov. 7.45. £1.50. Hexagon - The Directors. 12.15. Free. S.H.P. - Graham Pirt (folk). 8pm. £1.20 - 1.50 Apollo, Oxford - Parsifal. 4pm. £4 - 14. Sun 17 Allied Arms - Folk club. 8ish. Free. S.H.P. - the Mysterious Wreck + shorts + serial. 12.15. 75p Apollo, Oxford - Fast way + Rock Goddess. 7.30. £? Mon 18 Hexagon - Wrestling Spectacular. 7.30. £2 - 2.50 Bull Hotel, Nettlebed - folk club. 8ish £? The Mill, Sonning - Deathtrap. 2pm & 8.15. £6.90 - 11.90, depends on day and time. Till 14'th May. S.H.P. - Independent films by Nottingham Film & Video Workshop. 7.30. Free. Tue 19 Hexagon - Allegri String Quartet. 7.30. £2.75 - 3.75. Tudor Arms - Gay Disco. 8ish. free. S.H.P. - Mephisto. 7.30. £1.90 + conc. Till 21st. Wed 20 Hexagon - Peter Donohoo (piano). 7.30. £2.50 - 3.50. Thur 21 Target - Larry Miller Band. 8ish. Reading Film Theatre (University) - Ragtime. 7.30- £1.50. Also 22nd Hexagon - Emmy Verhey (violin). 1.10pm. Free. --- Apologies for putting this guide on a duplicated shoot. (We had some difficulty getting hold of it at all.....) Venues - for the uninitiated The Hexagon, behind the Butts Centre. 591591. South Hill Park, Bracknell Arts Centre, little way out of Bracknell. 27272 Fives Bar, Queen's Walk, side of the Butts Centre. Near the Hexagon. Progress Theatre, The Mount, off Christchurch Rd. Tudor Arms, corner of Tudor Road, near thw station. Central Club, bottom of London St, Caribbean Club, 112 (top of) London St. Target, by Tescos, outside Butts Centre. Reading Film Theatre, Palmer Building,. Whitekhights. - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1983/1983-04-03.txt#3 $