RED RAG FREE Nov 27 - 11 Dec Copy deadline for next issue Thurs Dec 8 News: 666324 or 666681 Events: 37-3117 Going out: 507598 Distribution: 665676 Write c/o Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham St. READING'S ONLY NEWSPAPER - - - CUTS CUTS There will be no more NHS sterilisation or vasectomies in Reading and West Berkshire until April 1984, except for 'medical' reasons. Even before this cut there was a twelve month waiting list for sterilisations at the Royal Berks. The District Health Authority's decision means that 700 fewer operations will take place before the end of March. They hope to save £45,000; but the extra cost of unwanted babies and requests for abortions was not included in their calculations. Have you ever visited a hospital with bunk beds in the wards? No? Then you've never been to Wayland Hospital, west of Pangbourne. This NHS mental handicap hospital not only boasts bunk beds (you can't sit up in bed without banging your head), but old men and young women on the same ward, a kitchen lacking a proper water supply, and two recent small fires (NHS hospitals, as Crown Property, are exempt from fire regulations). Inadequate staffing levels mean that patients are sometimes put to bed in mid-afternoon. But remember, the NHS is safe with Mrs Thatcher's government. Does this mean we can expect no change in West Berkshire's inadequate health service? Apparently not. The English Nursing Board recently completed an inspection of mental handicap hospitals in West Berkshire. As well as Wayland, they visited Borocourt Hospital north of Reading, and have stopped all new nurse training there, partly because of the poor conditions for the patients at the hospital, and partly because of poor training facilities. Borocourt already has 76 nurses fever than it should, and as the present 60 trainees complete their course and are not replaced by new entrants the situation can only get worse. The District Health Authority has appealed against the Board's decision. Recruiting trained nurses to make up the numbers will cost them more money. Looks like you may have to put off the vasectomy operation yet again. - - - RED RAG RED RAG Red Rag, Reading's Only Newspaper, hasn't sold a copy in four years. It's produced and printed by a nebulous collective. It has no connection with any political party or line or with the University either. It depends entirely on donations from its readers - that's one reason why it's a bit thin sometimes. Another reason for that is that it largely depends on its readers for news and articles. There are maybe 4,000 readers (allowing three per copy). Its aim is to encourage people to take control of their own lives. Or something. If you'd like to help with the next issue, please ring 666324. Red Rag is still in desperate need of money. In this Rag you will find a standing order form. If you have a bank account, a small (better a big) regular donation will make life a lot easier for the Rag. Just fill in the form with the maximum you can afford and send it to Red Rag, c/o Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street, Reading. Reading Between the Lines. We have over 600 copies of our superb guide to Reading. Until we sell these we are considerably in debt. Anyone who wants to do something for Red Rag could take some to sell, eg in pubs or at work. Please phone 666681 if you'd like some. - - - NEWS OFFICES, OFFICES The Borough Council's Central Reading District Plan, the Public Inquiry on which starts at the Civic Offices on November 29th, is supposed to be a 10-year plan. But Reading District Labour Party has calculated that if planning permission for offices continues to be given at the same rate as it has since 1978-9, the office sites in the Plan will be exhausted in less than three years! And even if all the developers and speculators have their way and get the Plan altered to meet their demands, sites - will still be exhausted in less than six years. And as pressure for development builds up the speculators will he looking for more and more sites and attacking more and more streets. Which is why the Labour Party is fighting for a strict annual limit on planning permissions to slow down the rate of office building - and incidentally fill up the couple of years' supply of empty offices uselessly cluttering up the town. Approaches differ. The two Tory "urgency members" on the Environment Committee urgently increased the planned allocation for the Reading Station site from 150,000 to 250,000 sq.ft, so that BR and the Prudential, the developers, wouldn't have to bring an expensive Queen's Counsel to argue the case for this in public at the Inquiry. And the Tories are expected to sell off at least 5 acres of the Richfield Avenue site for offices and allow yet more offices into Prospect Park. And anywhere else they and their friends can think of. UNREGISTERED INTERESTS Because the powers of the Council, in terms of planning permission, contracts and joint ventures, can make a good deal of financial difference to developers, builders and entrepreneurs generally, the Council many years ago by all-Party agreement set up a voluntary register of interests where Councillors could register their sources of income, directorships, shareholdings and so on. Just so that everybody could be sure everything was above board. Fat chance. As at the last Council meeting no less than 17 of the Tory Councillors had declined to make any entry in the Register: that's 17 out of 26. And during the meeting not a single Tory Councillor declared an interest on a single topic (the law says a Councillor must declare an interest and withdraw if (s)he has a financial or similar interest in the result of a debate). Funny, that. Citizen Cain FLY-POSTING Hey, all you flyposters out there!!! Did you know? Reading Borough Council decided at their last meeting to clamp down on the fair art of fly-posting, those who put the writing on the wall. I don't suppose this includes the Hexagon's flyposting squad. Anyway, this clamp down will aim at discouraging flyposting (putting posters on the walls of Reading} by : - a) prosecuting the bodies represented on the posters b) prosecuting those caught with paste on their hands c) charging for steam cleaning of present poster sites d) ordering the culprits to remove posters by hand. Another blow for truth and democracy! So be careful. But there again, there's always graffiti. (Or try writing to your MP and see which gives you more satisfaction). Paste-Pot Pete and Bill Stickers. WE ARE NOT ALL PROSTITUTES SAYS WEA That quaint organisation, the 'Workers Education Association', really got its knickers in a twist when it realised that a speaker from the English Collective of Prostitutes was to run a workshop at a WEA-funded day-conference at Reading Centre for the Unemployed (RCU). Under the general conference heading of 'Does Unemployment Make You Sick ?', Nina Lopez from the ECP was to give a talk on prostitution, pointing out that as unemployment rises and wages decrease many women are taking up this kind of work. A couple of people in the WEA (the traditional branch, as opposed to the industrial branch) got very heated on the subject and were actually prepared to withdraw funding for the whole day conference because a woman living off 'immoral earnings' was being allowed to speak! After meeting with the Education Subcommittee of RCU, the WEA finally agreed to fund the conference if the workshop on prostitution was independently funded by RCU and advertised in separate leaflets! When the day of the conference arrived, the main meeting did not break up into smaller workshops as expected because only thirty people turned up, and Nina Lopez eventually spoke to the whole meeting. The WEA, which funds many courses at RCU, was furious, and while they agreed to fund the conference, future courses at RCU are in doubt. One wonders if any of the WEA members will bother to visit the 'Reading Women & Work' exhibition at RCU, as one of the points the exhibition makes is that women's work is not considered as important as men's, and that women are not taken seriously as workers. When we sell our labour it matters little what form that labour takes. Only women are often expected to work for love rather than money. Some jobs are more necessary or more socially useful than others, it's true, but whether we work on community programmes or in Debenham's, we all compromise with the system, and none of us are 'better workers* than others. We are all prostitutes. Flora Norder STOP THE CITY You may remember I told you a few Rags ago about a young man named Michael Dickenson who was arrested during the Stop the City protests for talking to the public about War and Peace in Saint Paul's Cathedral. Throughout his degrading and aggressive treatment by the two policemen who were holding him, his behaviour was remarkably calm and dignified. However, he is to be charged, on 12th December at Guild Hall Magistrates court with the following crimes: drunk and disorderly, violent behaviour and a similar misdemeanour whose title escapes me. Mike Dickenson would appreciate as much support as possible, and, if you would like to accompany us to London to give it to him please 'phone Rdg 588459 (transport arranged). Tracey POLICE NEWS Something to hide? Looks like it, 'cos the Thames Valley Police are still cruising about in unmarked vehicles. AWL 2l6Y is one of them. Registrations of others gratefully received. Bill CIVIC NEWS 'Everyone at the Civic Offices,' we were told, had read the piece in the last issue on Housing Chairman and Mayor-to-be Ron Jewitt's unorthodox credit system at the Members' Bar. As if they didn't have better things to do. Apparently the Evening Post telephoned Ron Jewitt to sympathise - and offered to pay his costs for a libel action! Wisely - and honourably - Mr Jewitt turned them down. - - - HIGH WYCOMBE - EXPOSED Dec. 19th Join us! The Southern Region and South Midlands region Affinity groups, CND groups and peace Groups will unite in a special day of action on Dec. 19th. as part of 9 days of regional actions to mourn the arrival of cruise in Britain. High Wycombe has been chosen because it is one of the major centres for war preparations in Europe. USAF Daws Hill is being prepared to house, some five storeys under ground, the computer systems required to send cruise missiles to their targets. It is rumoured that this operation will be ready on December 19th! Just to the north of High Wycombe town, a massive bunker is being constructed at Nap Kill. This will house NATO HQ UK Air Forces. It will be a communications, command and control centre for all air defence and attack forces in war, including air-borne nuclear weapons. Very many people, even those that live locally, remain unaware or unconcerned about these sinister developments. The day will start with a gathering by the swimming pool on Rye Park, High Wycombe between 6.00am. and 6.30am. From The Rye, people will walk down a public footpath to the gate of Daws Hill where there will be a blockade from 7.00am. until at least 11.00 am. From Daws Hill we'll go back to the Rye and set off for a silent march around the town centre, leafletting, dressed in black or dark clothing. After meeting again on the Rye, we shall travel up to Nap Kill in vans and buses to plant trees on the excavation site for the bunker. This will take the form of a Reclaim the Woodland as we shall, hopefully, be replacing trees that have been destroyed by the MoD. The land has actually been relinquished from the National Trust, and we hope to restore the countryside to its previous condition. It is hoped that groups and individuals will 'sponsor a tree' to be planted on the day by giving a donation towards the costs of the event, and even more important come along on the day with a spade and a little bone meal or compost to help the trees get a good start. Beech, oak and wild cherry are suitable for the chalk soils of Nap Hill, any size between 18" and 4' (2' best). There will be a creche and information centre and full legal support is being arranged for anyone who may be arrested (although we are not sure if arrest will be likely). This action has support and financial help from CND, more money and help are needed, so if you are able to commit yourself for a couple of hours on the day, jobs that will need doing still are stewarding, setting up, transport (including cycles), registration, clearing up and co-ordinating tree planting. If you would like to find out more of what you can do please ring one of us for details. This is not a centrally organised action with all their polished finishes, so a lot of energy and work from as many people as possible is essential to get things together. A training workshop in Nonviolent Direct Action is being held on Saturday 3rd. December in the Committee Room of the Student's Union, Reading University from 10.00 am. until 6.00pm. This is being run in connection with Reading University CND and will be aimed at preparing people for December 19th. Even if you do not wish to take part in any of the planned events, there are plenty of support roles which are very important, such as observing, making tea, leafletting in the town during the march, driving people up to Wycombe and many, many more. If you want to make a donation or sponsor a tree, cheques should be made out to "December Wycombe Appeal" and will be gratefully received at "Willows", Nursery Gardens, Purley, Reading RG8 8AS c/o Bridget Oliver. If you require any information about anything in this piece, please ring one of us (numbers below) and we'll do our best for you. Leaflets and posters are also available (same numbers) if you are able to publicise this action more. Try Acorn Bookshop too. You can even get a badge there!! Come along on the 19th. and "expose" High Wycombe. lovepeace, Bridge, Paul, Huw and Chris Contact numbers Bridge 374532 (Pangbourne) Paul 479042 Huw 588459 - - - EVENTS Mon 28th Nov Women and work exhibition at Centre for Jobfree. Open until 3rd December - it's very good! Wokingham Peace Group meeting at Wokingham Town Hall, 8pm. Discussion of final agenda for the CND conference. Cable and the Arts - Sean Cubitt will talk about commercial offerings in popular music with examples from one of the new music channels. Martin Parry will discuss the users to which cable might be put by workers in the arts... and more. 7.30 in the Cinema at South Hill Park. Book early yo avoid disappointment. It's free! Mataji Shri Mirmala Dev presents Sahaja Yoga: living yoga, last of 4 sessions. Students Union Building dressing room. 7.30. All welcome. Free. Tues 29th The State of the Land - public lecture by Prof T. Hayes 5.15 Palmer Building (G10) Whiteknights, free. Meeting for Dec. 19th Action - All those wishing to help co-ordinate beforehand or on the day phone Bridget on 37-4532 Central Reading District Plan - The public enquiry opens for three weeks. Cycle campaign appearing sometime. F.O.E submitting written objections. Civic Centre. Wed 30th Working Women in Reading, an overview - Anne Hillocks, Linda Peake. Last in a series of talks by guest speakers at Centre for the Jobfree. Racial Evictions - picket outside Civic Offices, 5pm. See article on CARE elsewhere. Thur 1st Dec F.O.E. Countryside Campaign meeting - 27 Instow Rd, Early. 8.00pm University Ecology Group - talk on alternative health care and medicine (especially shaitsu and homeopathy) by Elaine Lietchi of Thames Valley Natural Health Centre. Palmer Building 8pm. Non-students welcome. Fri 2nd Vegetarian Dining at Fairview Community Centre, bottom of George St. 7.30. Tickets £2 from Acorn. Reading Health Watch Workshop on the Griffiths report on how to manage the NHS as if it were Sainsbury's. Jobfree Centre 6pm. Appeal! - Session 5 of "Claiming your rights" course for unwaged. Your right to challenge a DHSS or National Insurance decision explained. Tribunals demystified. Jobfree Centre 10-12.30pm (creche). A Question of Silence - Reading Film Theatre 8.00pm. Feminist film involving 3 unconnected women who commit a murder while shopping and the female clinical psychologist who is brought into the case. Members £1.00, non-members £1.60, unwaged £1.00 on Thurs & Fri. Sat 3rd Jumbled Sale in aid of Reading Womens Centre. 2pm at Centre for the jobfree. Help desperately needed in morning. Just turn up. Reading Vegetarian & Food Reform Society meeting "Food for a future" - author John Wunne Tyson will give talk at 4 Derby Rd., Caversham at 8pm NVDA (Non-Violent Direct Action) training workshop organised by Peace Pledge Union and Reading University CND at the Students Union Committee Room, Whiteknights Park 10-6.00. Phone Bridget on 37-4532 in advance. Food will be provided but bring your own bowl! Sun 4th Smithfield Show - Demonstration outside Earls Court Exhibitions Centre. Meet 11am at Warwick Rd entrance. Mon 5th Introduction to N.V.D.A - Talk and discussion organised by RUCND. &.30 Palmer Bdg room <> Whiteknights. An Open Meeting about the work of the Centre for the Jobfree at same. 2pm Future Strategies - Speakers on place to set up community cable TV channels. South Hill Park Cinema 7.30. Book early. Tues 6th Reading Organisation for Animal Rights - meeting at The Crown, Crown St. 8pm. University Ecology Group - talk on the Eco party's solution to unemployment by Phil Unsworth (Nat. Cttee of Eco Party) Palmer Building 8pm. Non-students welcome. BANC Public Meeting - Friends Meeting House, Church Street (off London Street) 8pm. Wed 7th Centre for Jobfree - Visit to organic farm (Garlands Farm, Upper Basildon) which is self-sufficient in solar energy. Leave centre 1.30pm back by 5.00. If interested contact Chris or Neil at the Centre by 5th Dec. The Importance of Staying Fit - 1.00-3.00 Methods of staying fit, what is available locally. (Jeff Myatt, Berks Health <>) Peace Pledge Union meeting - members and non-members welcome. Phone Paul on 479042 for details. Thur 8th Vegan Discussion Group 4 "How far can animal experiments be justified in the name of medical research?" 38 Long Barn Lane, phone 866259. Fri 9th Berks Humanists meeting at Friends Meeting House, Church Street 8pm. Low income and Disability Benefits - Session 6 of "Claiming your Rights" course for unwaged. Jobfree Centre 10-12.30 free (creche available). Sat 10th Reading Organisation for Animal Rights - stall, corner of Broad Street. Mixed Action at Greenham - Men, women and children welcome to gather between blue and green gates at 3pm. Torchlit silent vigil 5-6, then singing etc till 10pm. For further details phone Paul on 479042 or Annie on 478297 or contact Acorn Bookshop. Christian CND Advent Peace Vigil - All day vigil at Green gate, Greenham. Contact Pam and Peter Hudson (341089) or David John (692579). Peace Pledge Union War Toys Leafletting: 12-2pm. Meet outside Hexagon. All welcome. For further details phone 588459. Action against Cruise in Reading - Visit by mock cruise launcher, 2pm Scours Lane (bottom Norcot Hill), via Oxford Rod, King's Rd to candlelit meeting 4pm Palmer Park. Phone Ed Wilson on 594855 for further details (BANC). Sun 11th Women are Coming to Greenham - to make a sound with voices and instruments, every hour on the hour around the base, 1-5pm. Silent, candlelit vigil 4.02-5pm. All women welcome. Labour History Group meeting: "Women in the 80s", 7.30 Red Lion, Southampton St. Public meeting on the NHS with MPs Gerard Vaughan and Tony Durant. 8pm Oxford Road Methodist Church Hall. Regular Things Photography 2 sessions every Tuesday (10-12, 1-3) Reading Centre for the Jobfree Housing and Welfare Rights - sessions on Thursday evenings at Community House, 117 Cumberland Rd. Share your problems and knowledge. Womens Centre - Opening times Tues 10.30 - 2.00 Wed 10.30 - 2.00 Sat 12.00 - 4.00 Also free pregnancy testing Tues 7-9pm. Bring urine sample from first pee of the day. Girl's club starting up again soon. Music club every second Sat, 11-12 noon. Reading Gay Switchboard - ring 597269 between 8 and 10, Tuesday and Friday evenings. Your Rights - East Reading Rights Group stall outside the church on Cemetry Junction. Every Sat 11am-1pm SWAG (charity paper collection) Skips at Superkey, Palmer Park, Northumberland Ave, St Martin's precinct, Recreation Road, Gt Knolly's St. 8.30-12.30 every 1st Sat of month. Peace Pledge Union - Don't just hope for peace - work for it! Every fortnight small friendly group meets to discuss relevant issues and place actions. Contact Box 10, Acorn Bookshop or phone 588459. Mini-market stalls of handicrafts, fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, cakes, etc. organised by Women's Institute St. Mary's House, St. Mary's Butts 9am-1pm every Thurs. Ecology Party - meetings on 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 25 de Beauvoir Rd and 38 Long Barn Lane respectively. Socialist Workers Party - meet every Wednesday at the Red Lion, Southampton St, 8pm. Reading Anarchists - every Monday. For venue contact Acorn box 19. History of Reading Society - 3rd Tues of month. Abbey Gateway. Women's Peace Group - 1st Monday of month at the Women's Centre. Amnesty International - 2nd Tues on month - St. Mary's Centre. Stop press Wed 30th November Womyn's Conference March 1984. 1st planning meeting 7-30pm. Ring Vessa + Tina on 482869 or Michelle on 666681. All womyn welcome. - - - READING PEACE PLEDGE UNION MEETING - "Don't just hope for peace, work for it". ....met at Barney's place ("cheers Barney") last Wednesday 23rd. Nov. A large proportion of this time was spent discussing what we could do to help on the southern region peace action in High Wycombe on December 19th. (see articles elsewhere this ish.) We also proposed to write to toy shops to try and encourage the reduction of 'war toys' in window displays. Additionally we are producing a leaflet about war toys. How about buying peace toys rather than toys designed for killing? If you are interested in leafletting on 10th. December from 12.00 - 2.00pm. (meet at Hexagon main entrance) or want to find out further information about the Peace Fledge Union and its activities, contact Box 10, Acorn Bookshop or ring Paul (479042) for details of next meeting. - - - CAMPAIGN AGAINST RACIST EVICTIONS Because of the increase in Reading Court actions against single black women, the Margaret Small Campaign has decided to widen its support area. We understand there are six Reading Court actions, five of then against black women. We have information that many of these actions will be taken under the Noise Abatement Act, for Noise Nuisance. We demand that the authorities consider the following:- That black people are allowed to hold birthday or anniversary parties like anyone else. That Reading Borough Council and the Police stop harassing young black women. That the Courts uphold the Law of the Land by not accepting flimsy evidence in Noise Nuisance cases. The treatment of Margaret Small and her family is a good indicator of how the other six families (more to follow?) can expect to be treated. From the time Margaret Small moved into her Council house she faced complaints to the Borough Council on trivial matters, such as children crying or the switching on of her TV or record player. A few Conservative Councillors have expressed their dismay over the way Margaret has been treated but feel unable to alienate themselves from the powerful ruling group. We are holding an initial meeting on Sunday 27 November, 5.30 at Apollo Club. A further meeting will be held before Christmas. What can you do to help CARE? Attend the meeting on Sunday. Join the picket line on Wednesday 30 November, 5.00 outside the Civic Centre. Write to or phone Mr D. Birtwhistle, Director of Housing, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Reading. Tel 55911 ext 2370. Contact your own Councillor, expressing your concern. If you don't know their name, ask the Civic Centre or RCRE. Contact: Loretta, Central Youth Provision, 36-42 London St. Tel 54421. Marjorie or Margaret, Reading Centre for the Unemployed, 4-6 East St. Tel 596639. Rajinder or Sandra, Reading Council for Racial Equality, 46 Caversham Rd. Tel 583773. Support your rights, support CARE. - - - READING WOMEN'S MOVT. No doubt there are or have been feminists in Reading since the beginning of Reading's existence. Unfortunately I have no knowledge of these prior to the 1970's though perhaps the project at the Centre for the Unemployed collected some evidence. I myself have been involved in the Reading Women's Movement since 1976-77. Anything I write from that date forward will have my particular bias as a participant in 'events'. Many thanks to Gaynor, Debbi, Linda, Brigit, Pat, Soo, Viv, Lisa, Sandra, Jeannette, Chris a and countless others for the memories! Lesly Punter 1971 Women's Liberation Group meeting at the Barley Mow, London Street to campaign for the Sex Discrimination Act. 1973 Women's Group begun at the University as consciousness-raising group and as input into socialist activities. Split in WLG, one group campaigning for Wages for Housework, the other (Reading Women's Rights Group) eventually starting Women's Aid. 1974 Reading Women's Group from University campus relocated in town (Central Club in Chain Street) and emphasis on Working Women's Charter Campaign (WWCC), started by Greater London Association of Trades Councils. 1975 Opening of Women's Refuge by Women's Aid. 1976 Separation of town centre group into 2 - WWCC and more diverse group meeting weekly to discuss topics. 1977 Revitalisation in Chain Street, under wider programme of activities: public meetings, involvement in local trade union movement, antifascist campaign (CARF), National Abortion Campaign (NAC), May Day, etc. WWCC also still meets. Re-establishment of University Women's Group. 1978 Organisation of 'Week of Action' (speakers, seminars, etc) at London Road campus of University in June. Beginning of Reading Women's Group newsletter in September. First issue set as goals: a) establishment of consciousness-raising groups (CR groups); b) extension of political activity (eg CARF and campaign to open the new nursery at the new St John's School (Orts Road)); c) continuation of weekly educational programme; d) regular public meetings and social events; e) reorganisation with secretary, treasurer, librarian, etc. 1979 Move to new premises in Old Town Hall with beginnings of discussions about a Women's Centre. June Conference to discuss aims and purposes reveals a devastating divergence of views. In the autumn decline in numbers attending meetings at Old Town Hall but active picketing at local strikes and leafletting factories and estates. Formation of Reading Abortion Rights Campaign (RARC). 1980 Fragmentation: Women's Voice, Women's Health Group, Reading Women's Liberation Group, groups campaigning for Women's Centre, with RARC and within BANC and the continuation of weekly meetings of the Reading Women's Group at the Old Town Hall. October conference entitled 'The Way Forward for Women in Reading' with papers prepared plus discussions. Two main conclusions: a) establishment of Women's Centre b) holding of monthly meetings (1st day of month) where reps of all women's groups report, and from minutes of same a newsletter produced and sent to all 'interested women'. 1981 Beginning of a Women's Centre in St Mary's Butts meeting hall. Continued monthly meetings and newsletter (venue: No. 5). Formation of new groups, such as SWAG (Strong Women's Activity Group), Socialist Feminist reading group, CR groups, Young Women's Group, Women in Education, Women's Information Service, etc. September opening of Women's Centre at Old Shire Hall run by collective, incorporating a drop-in centre and used as a meeting place for many groups and activities. (Debate about the exclusion of men in Red Rag). 1982 Establishment of a pregnancy testing service at Women's Centre. First of the month meetings continue but now in conjunction with reports from WC Collective. Establishment of a Reading Rape Crisis Collective and Line in operation in August. University Women's Group disenfranchised by Students' Union in June (for being for women only) and reinstated in October. Placements by three students from Bulmershe College assist in increasing programmes at Women's Centre. Fewer separate groups; more activity based from the Centre. Establishment of women's self-help therapy groups and self-defence classes. Active support of Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp. Holding of a Racism Awareness Day and involvement in campaigns against pornography and violence against women. Establishment of Childcare Group meeting weekly at Women's Centre, and Natural Birth Group. Reading Centre for the Unemployed concerned with women's issues. 1983 Newsletter and monthly meetings continue. Nearly New shop opens and music club and girls' club meeting at Women's Centre. Beginnings of WEA evening courses at Women's Centre in autumn. - - - VEGGIE DINING Friday 18th November Would the soup ever be ready? Was there really enough fruit salad for 40 people? Despite these and many other worries, the first Veggie Dining Mk II ended in triumph (well success anyway!) Most of the cooks were new, many of the guests likewise but, with the invaluable aid of the musicians (thankyous Lawrence, Dave and Greg) who held the attention of the "audience" during the initial panic. Once the soup had boiled things started to run smoothly and ended with words of praise from various full bodies and no major hitches. The second Veggie Dining Mk II will be held at Fairview Community Centre, bottom of George St, on Friday 2nd December at 7.30ish. If you would like a large, nourishing, delicious three-course meal for little money and no animals (the menu is vegan) tickets are available from Acorn Bookshop at £2 each or £1.50 if you are jobfree. Anyone who is interested in cooking future veggie extravaganzas should 'phone 588459 or contact Acorn Bookshop. Help will always be needed with something on the night. - - - REVIEW "The Revolution of Everyday Life" by Raoul Vaneigem Rebel Press. 2l6pp £3-30 (available at Acorn) The Situationist International came into existence in the late 1950's and disappeared again in the early seventies. It was the project of a relatively small group of artists and intellectuals whose search for the 'supression of art' opened a Pandora's box of interconnecting ideas. The S.I. began to develop its own analysis and critique of the society in which it found itself. It plundered the ideas of psychology, sociology, marxism, surrealism and anarchism, taking only the best and then pushing them to their logical conclusion. Art, film, graffiti, stunts, even slang taken from Chicago gangsters - anything that would give a bit more leverage to the critique was hijacked and detoured. For new concepts the S.I. invented a new terminology. The result was the most far reaching critique of modern society that has yet been produced. As its analysis was wide ranging so its solution was uncompromising. Daily life had become a show contemplated by a passive audience. Such a way of life was beyond reform and the only solution was to completely re-invent everyday life. The progress made by populist parties, trade unions, pressure groups, etc. complies with the law of diminishing returns. What began as an assault on power has turned into a hopeless, rearguard action. As far as the S.I. was concerned, to make revolution by halves was counter-revolutionary; worse than doing nothing. Anything less than a total assault on all the conditions of our existence was not enough. Whatever you may think of them, one thing is sure, after the Situationist International, revolutionary theory will never be the same again. The two major texts produced by the S.I. were 'The Society of the Spectacle' by Guy Debord and 'The Revolution of Everyday Life' by Raoul Vaneigem. Only the most determined reader will persevere with Debord's Hegelian language and heavy style but Vaneigem's more conversational approach makes his work accessible and enjoyable. 'The Revolution of Everyday Life' has been out of print for a couple of years but has now been republished in a new translation (the first English translation approved by the author) by ex-S.I. member Donald Nicholson-Smith. Vaneigem's book is not ideology or dogma - there is no such thing as 'Situationism', just Situationists and Situationist theory. This book is for people who have already started to ask themselves questions. It is for people who have started to see the monumental confidence trick which has been played on us all and would like to get some idea of just how the scam works. It is for people who already suspect that even the most basic elements of their daily life are being manipulated and poisoned. B.B. - - - The following pieces were given us for Reading Between the Lines, where there wasn't space for more than a brief entry. READING AND DISTRICT VEGAN GROUP By demonstrating the viability and practicality of their diet, generations of vegans have exploded the myth that the cruelty inseparable from animal husbandry, vivisection and related practices is a 'necessary evil'. Scientific research has confirmed that animal derived products are not essential to human health and well-being. By identifying the health hazards of a diet built around the products of the slaughterhouse, such research has also reinforced the moral, ecological, economic and other arguments advanced by vegans in their uncompromised stand against animal exploitation. Why not come along and meet the trailblazers of the vegetarian movement and learn more about the benefits veganism can bestow and its unique contribution to building a more humane and responsible society? Membership of the local group is open to vegans and non-vegans alike. Contact Reading 581805 for details of meetings (or see Red Rag!). B.A.N.C. WOMEN'S GROUP Berkshire Anti-Nuclear Campaign/Reading CND ia one of the anti-nuclear groups in the area and at the end of last year a women's group was started as an off-shoot. There are about 20 women involved in the group at the moment and there have been various activities. It is not a structured group (ie there is no chairperson, secretary etc) and all meetings are totally informal. All women who are interested are very welcome to become involved whether they have been campaigning on anti-nuclear issues for a long time or have only recently become interested and would like to become active, learn more about the crazy business of nuclear weapons and meet like-minded women. There are evening and day meetings. There is no creche as such but there are always several children at the day meetings and are welcome in the evening too. The evening meetings are held at The Women's Centre on the first Monday of the month from 8pm. Contact Reinhilde Weiss Reading 662873. The timed and places of the day meetings vary and contact for those is Val Ryan Reading 662291. - - - JOIN THE WAR EFFORT Leo Tolstoy (the old guy with smiling eyes and white beard who wrote thick books) wrote this allegory of the human condition: "I see humanity as a herd of cattle inside a fenced enclosure. Outside the fence are green pastures with plenty for the cattle to eat. Inside the fence there is not quite enough. Consequently, the cattle trample underfoot what little grass there is, and gore each other to death in their struggle for existence. "I saw the owner of the herd come to them. And when he saw their pitiable condition, he was filled with compassion. He called his friends and asked them to assist him in cutting the grass from outside the fence and throwing it over the fence to the cattle. And they called that charity. "Then, because the calves were dying off, he arranged that they should each have a pint of milk every morning for breakfast. He put the corks on the horns of the cattle so that the wounds they gave each other might not be so serious. He reserved part of the enclosure for the old bulls and the old cows over seventy years of age. In fact, he did everything he could to improve the conditions of the cattle. "And when they asked him why he did not do the one obvious thing - break down the fences and let the cattle out - he answered: 'If I let the cattle out, I should no longer be able to milk them.'" What Tolstoy wrote about charity is still largely true. Most charities concerned with the relief of poverty got money from the herd-owners (ie governments, multinational corporations, rich people, etc.) so they need to make sure the herd goes on being milked. But now there is at least one charity which isn't playing that game. It's called War on Want, and instead of heaving fodder over the fence it's busy taking the fence away. War on Want is not particularly interested in simply helping the victims of poverty. It concentrates on tackling the root causes and working to eliminate poverty. It does this by campaigning and by direct action in supporting community groups and to some extent liberation struggles in various parts of the world. War on Want's campaign against world poverty includes activities in Britain with direct support for community groups such as unemployment centres and women's groups, although most of our work is naturally related to developing countries. War on Want has its own women's group which was set up last year after a decision to give priority to the issues of women and development. Women in Britain may be amazed to learn that women in most developing countries are even more oppressed by men than they are here. The War on Want Women's Group works without any direct involvement of men. It supports and builds links with and between many women's organisations both in this country and in developing countries. It campaigns, carries out educational and research work and publishes books. War on Want's health campaigning tends to focus on the cynical activities of many multinational corporations who exploit people in the third world in areas such as tobacco, pesticides, drugs and infant formula. In the case of the latter, the United Nations has estimated that about one million babies are killed each year by the irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes in the third world. War on Want campaigns vigorously on this issue and has published several books and pamphlets on it. Progress is being made. Among the many community based projects which War on Want supports are three in Grenada, a country which has a population slightly smaller than that of Reading (if you exclude foreign soldiers). These projects were intended to help the people in this tiny country to determine their own future. But they are being frustrated and possibly destroyed by the United States who have recently invaded the island. The US is now shipping in massive amounts of food and other aid, not for any humanitarian reason, but to bankrupt local producers (Who will pay a farmer when they can get free food from an aid agency?) and thus to create economic, and eventual political, dependence on the USA. War on Want is broadly sympathetic to the labour movement, but does not allow this to cloud its judgement. It angered many (former) trade union friends by publishing a small book called "Where were you, Brother" which severely criticises the devious activities of some trade unions in the third world. War on Want sees its work as being closely related to the peace movement and frequently becomes directly involved in peace campaigning. Recently it has submitted evidence to the court in New York supporting the legal action by Greenham Women Against Cruise to prevent the siting of cruise missiles in Europe. War on Want has a small office in Manchester and an office in London with about fifteen workers (of which I am one). Everyone is on the same basic salary (with a couple of historical anomalies) and work is organised on a non-hierarchical basis. Everyone types their own letters. There are no secretaries because the working relationship between a boss and a secretary is nearly always authoritarian and usually sexist. War on Want has many supporting groups throughout Britain and is committed to developing a network of local groups linked together on a regional basis. Local groups do their own campaigning and, if they feel like it, a bit of fund raising, with support but not interference from the London office. The fence which Tolstoy described as imprisoning humanity really needs to be removed, (it is rumoured that the Thames Valley Police are in possession of more wire cutters than they really need.) If you want to help taking the fence away (metaphorically) then it's easy to join in the fun. War on Want is a membership organisation. Anyone who wants to join should write saying so to Helen Allison, War on Want, 467 Caledonian Road, London N7. A year's membership costs £10 (enslaved) or £2 (jobfree). There are already 40 or so War on Want members in Reading and a local group is just getting started. If you want to join or find out about the local group contact Steve Hammond, 2 Hewett Close, Caversham Heights, Reading (tel 470709). If you want to find out more about War on Want as a whole contact me at 99 Horseshoe Road, Pangbourne, Reading - tel 01-609 0211(work) or 37-3153(home) or go to the Acorn Bookshop during the first couple of weeks of December where there will (probably) be a display of War on Want material. David Evans - - - ANYONE INTERESTED in carol (or Bob) singing for War on Want around about the time it takes to get five or six people together... Phone 479042 (Reading) I've got the carol sheets and some collecting tins so all that's needed is da people. N.B. Last year there were ten at us and we raised ten pounds, had a lot of fun and get pretty nicely wrecked. Give us a buzz and let's see what we can do this year... - - - RUCND + Reading PPU NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTION TRAINING DAY In preparation for action at High Wycombe on December 19th at Reading University Students Union Committee Room, Whiteknights Park, Reading Contact: Huw (Rdg 588459), Bridget (Pangbourne 4532) - - - Dear Red Rag, I note that you carry news from the Cycle Campaign; I would like to draw readers' attention to the existence in Reading of a local section of the Cyclists' Touring Club. This association works to uphold cyclists' rights and to promote cycling for enjoyment, as a leisure activity. The "Reading and Henley" section meets on Sunday mornings at 9.15 at Caversham Bridge (usually) or occasionally Henley Bridge. The Cyclists' Touring Club is very keen to introduce beginners to cycling for fun: we vary our pace to suit whoever turns up, and do not "race" around like, for example, the Reading C.C. Of particular interest to beginners are our "Easy Rides" every month from Caversham Bridge at 10am. Yours faithfully, D. Jardine. (The next beginners' ride is on December 4th, to Silchester Roman Town. You can contact the Reading Secretary of the CTC on Bracknell 50849.) - - - WOMEN'S LIBERATION GROUP The contact phone number given both in a recent Rag and in Reading Between the Lines is wrong. We don't know the right number - could someone from the group get in touch? Apologies - especially to the owner of the number printed, who has apparently been deluged with phone calls. - - - THE FAMOUS ... Index Hex: Hexagon Queens Walk 591591. Target: by Tesco's at the Butts 585887. Tudor Arms: Greyfriars Rd. Central Club: bottom of London St 54421. Caribbean Club: top of London St 51312. Uni: University (Students Union Whiteknights Campus unless stated different) 860222. RFT: Reading Film Theatre Uni Site Palmer Building. Bulmershe Coll: Woodlands Rd Earley 666506. South Hill Park: Near A322 Bagshot Rd Bracknell (arts centre) 9l 27272. Angie's: Milton Rd Wokingham 789912. Mon 25 Nov. Hex: 10.30am Public Speaking Competition Final free. 7.30 The Story of Venice (talk) £2-3. Playhouse Oxford: The Cambridge Footlight's 8pm £3.50 to 3rd. Special on 26th 2 seats for 1; 3rd all at £4. Apollo Oxford: Imagination 7.30 £?. Central Studio Cliddesden Rd Basingstoke: The Threepenny Opera 7.30 £2 + conc (Brecht & Weill). Tue 29 Hex: London Mozart Players 7.30 £3-6. Tudor Arms: Gay Disco 8ish free. Uni: Local Bands Night with The Boys from Brazil, Macno Men, Tyranna & Fallen Angels 8-1 £1.50. Target: ? The Mill Sonning: Last of the Red Hot Lovers 2 + 8pm £7.50-12.50 to 3rd. SHP: 7.30 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life £2 + conc to 4th. 8pm Steve Lane's Southern Stompers £2.40 jazz. Wed 30 RFT: Diner £1.60 + conc 6pm (praised film about burgeoning manhood in 50's) Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane: My Fair Lady 7.45 £1.75 mat on 3rd 2.30 to 3rd Dec. Bulmershe: The Trojan Women 7.30 £2 + conc to 3rd. Thu 1 Dec Hex: 12.45 Geoffrey Tozer free 7.30 RSPB Film Show £1.75-2.75. Horse & Barge, Duke St: Tony Wilson 8.15 £? folk. RFT: as above. Angies: Ruthless Blues 8-12 £1/2. Apollo Oxford: Boxcar Millie 7.30 £7-8. Fri 2 RFT: A question of Siience + Token Gesture 8pm £1.60 + conc (former film has had extreme reactions so worth seeing). Grosvenor House Hotel, Caversaam: Dingle Spike 8ish £? folk. Tudor Arms: Gay Disco 8ish free. Caribbean Club: something on not confirmed Target: Octel 77 8ish free (disco) Central Club: Youth Disco 8-11pm 11-17 yrs 50p. Uni: tickets on sale today for Imagination on 12th. SHP: 8pm Trio Cannello £3.20 recital. 9pm The Breakfast Band £3,£3.50 on day jazz/funk. 1lpm Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt £2 + conc also on 3rd (J Cooper Clarke) Angies: ? Sat 3 Hex: 12.15 Symbiosis free. 7.30 Reading Pheonix Choir £2-4. Caribbean: Sprangle Hi Fi £2.50 8-late Central: Calypso/Soca Band 8-late £2.50? Uni: Yorkshire Actors Company 7.30-12 £2 (performance disco?). Target: Lazy 8ish 50p. SHP: 2-6pm Xmas Crafts Fair free + on 4th 8pm Oliver Spong £1.50 folk. Angies: ? Apollo Oxford: Rock Goddess 7.30 £4-6. Sun 4 Hex: Xmas Crafts Fair 10-5pm 30p. Merry Maidens, Shinfield Rd: Jazz 8 free Ramada Hotel: Graeme Hewitts Jazz Band 12-2pm free. Treats Kings Rd: Jive Dive 8pm £1.50. Caversham Bridge Hotel: Readifolk 12ish free. Alfred's Head Bedford Rd: GT Moore & friends 8ish free. Target: Chester Roadshow 8ish free. SHP- Hoverbug + serial + shorts 12.15 80p Mon 5 The Mill Sonning: Mrs Cole's Music Hall 8.15 £10.90-12.90 gala evening on 31st £19.50. Playhouse Oxford: The Three Musketeers 7.45 £4.25/4.90 mat on 10th £2.45 to 10th (new adaptation). Tue 6 Hex: 12.45 Brahms Trio of London free. 7.30 Pentangle £3.50 Tudor Arms: Gay Disco 8ish free. Target: Eleventh Hour -"- -"-. Uni: prob Disco 8-1am about 80p. Bulmershe: Week's Workshop on 'The Machine Wreckers' with Actors Touring Co. Performance at end of week only 30 places £10 to 11th. SHP: 3pm Talk on Gordon Baldwin free. 7.30 Local Hero £2+conc to 1lth. 8pm Don Weller + Lennie Best Quartet £2.40 Wed 7 RFT: One From The Heart 8pm £1.60 + conc (beautifully done if nothing else) Thu 8 Hex: Humph's Hex Jazz Night 7.30-12 £4.50. Horse & Barge: Fault 8.15 £? folk. Target: Bitter End 8ish £1. RFT: as above. SHP: Find Me 7.45 £1.90 to 10th theatre Central Studio B'stoke: Save Our Santa 7.30 £2 + conc, to 10th. Fri 9 Hex: Civic Carol Concert. 7.30 £2.50. Tudor Arms: Gay Disco 8ish free. Caribbean: Disco Night 8-late £2.50. Central: Youth Disco 11-17yrs 8-11pm 50p. Target: Octell 77 8ish free. SHP: 8pm Amaryllis Fleming & Bernard Roberts £3.20 recital. 9pm John Otway £3,£3.25 on door. 1lpm The Secret Policemans Ball £2 + conc also on 10th. Watermill Theatre Bagnor Newbury: Monty Moonbeams Magnificent Mission 2 + 5pm £3.25-5.50 +conc for kids to Jan 7th. Apollo Oxford: Wayne Sleep 7.30 £3.50-9 to 17th. Sat 10 Hex: 12.15 All That Jazz free. 7.30 Southern Pro Arte + Reading Festival Chorus £4-7 + conc. Caribbean: Reggae Fest 8-late £? Central: Tony Williams + Hot Steel + King Dick Sounds 8-late £2,£2.50 on door charity benefit. Bulmershe: Ivory Coasters + support 8-late £4 (High Life with Caribbean influences, buy tickets in advance) Target: band TBA 50p 8ish. SHP: Jonnny Collins £1.50 8pm folk. Sun 11 Hex: 3.30 Childrens Mood in Music £2 +conc. 7.30 Xmas Moods in Music £2.50-3.50. Merry Maidens: Jazz 8ish free. Ramada Hotel: Graeme Hewitts Jazz Band 12-2pm free. Treats: Jive Dive 8-late £1.50. Caversham Bridge Hotel: Readifolk lunchtime? free. Alfred's Head: GT Moore & friends 8ish free. Target: Tracer Roadshow 8ish free. SHP: 12.15 Runaway Railway + serial + shorts 80p. 8pm Piano Masterclass with Bernard Roberts £2.25 kids £1. Angles has bands on every Thurs, Fri, Sat + Sun but didn't have details for Dec when I rang, so phone first to check. Prob best to verify with all venues beforehand as bands pull out etc. - - - SMALL ADS Sturdy second-hand pool/snooker table and accessories required, 3'x6' will pay up to £50. Contact Allan - Centre for the Jobfree (596639) Mon or Thurs. Women Only Super Duper Bop at the Women's Centre, Abbey Street. Friday December 16, 9-1. Bring a bottle and records. A new distributor will shortly be required for the lower Caversham area. If anybody thinks they may be able to take on this task please ring Mick 665676 for details. Free - 2 wardrobes, you collect. Ring 666681. Free grey formica gate-leg table, also electric fire (coal effect, 3 bars) phone Reading 588459. Could be delivered. Urgently needed - free chairs, settees etc. for childrens hone. Can be collected. Please phone Claire on 65648 Married couple with alsatian desperately need flat/bedsit. Please phone 588459 to leave message. As new metallic green Puch racing bike with crossbar. £120 new, selling for £70 or nearest offer. Phone Mark on 92-681295 anytime. Happy Birthday Conway P.S. You are invited to a party at your place on Monday night (grin, grin) - - - CRUISING Cruise Rumours This week's best cruise missile rumour concerns the extensive roadworks in Christchurch Road. The road has been excavated to a depth of eight feet, the sewers attended to, and then repacked with hardcore. The reason? Well, according to rumour, Whiteknights Park has been designated a cruise launch site. The transporter will leave the motorway and travel along the Basingstoke Road and Christchurch Road to the main entrance of Whiteknights. The surface of Christchurch Road had to be reinforced because the sewers would have collapsed under the weight of the transporter. USAF Greenham Common personnel who have their families with them face another problem - a shortage of suitable houses. One local area which is proving increasingly popular is Reading's suburb of Woodley. We can direct keen followers of cruise rumours to 'The Thatchers' pub in Fairwater Drive where the latest cruise gossip can be had for the price of a pint. The local American residents have made this pub their local - on a good day you may even see one in uniform. These social activities don't seem to be considered a threat, to national security - probably because no reasonably sensitive person could be expected to stay drinking in this posers' palace long enough to hear anything important. Zed Feecher - - - MIXED ACTION AT GREENHAM Sat. Dec. 10th A positive and powerful event... Everyone everywhere is invited to unite and express their refusal to accept cruise missiles. A gathering is proposed at 3.00pm. on Saturday 10th, December at Greenham Common cruise missile base between the Green and Blue gates (near the silos). Torches will be lit at 5.00pm. and there will be a silent vigil for an hour. At 6.00pm. we will sing, chant etc. until 10.00pm. or whenever. This will be a positive and powerful event, not a sign of weakness. It will bind us together in our protest so that we gather strength from it. There will be many detractors from this idea 'cos it is "not CND policy", "the women don't want you" or "bloody pathetic silent vigil". Make your own decision - do you want to come to Greenham to witness against cruise, as an equal with others, now that cruise is here? If so we must rise above the female/male conflict. Join us in a spirit of trust, love, peace and co-operation. For further information contact Paul on Reading 479042 or Anne on Reading 478297 - - - BRACKNELL WOMEN'S GROUP VIGIL On Saturday November 19 the Bracknell Women's Group organised, a 12 hour vigil, against cruise, in the centre of Bracknell. Display boards were set up aiming to make people aware that a large number of Bracknell companies are involved in the arms trade. They included information printed by Sperry (British Aerospace), Ferranti and Honeywell showing their direct involvement in the design and manufacture of nuclear weaponry (apparently they are proud of their achievements and Honeywell tells of the strong position they have achieved in the military airborne inertial navigation business due to their sale to the US oft he 'extremely accurate guidance system' used in the cruise missile). The demonstration could have been larger if there had been more time to prepare but it was felt that it was more important to demonstrate now, while cruise is a current topic of debate, and to show Bracknell Women's support of the women at Greenham particularly at this time following the arrival of cruise. There were a steady ten to fifteen women present for most of the 12 hours. The response from passers-by was very good ad we raised £15 towards the fines women have incurred at Greenham. The only disagreement was with the evangelist church who were preaching from the bandstand during the morning, complete with loud speaker system, and who ended up denouncing us all as witches and saying that all the women at Greenham are possessed by Satan! However they were sorted out by two policemen who arrived, walked past the demonstration, knocked on the evangelists' van window and asked them to turn the noise down. At dusk candles were lit and we sang and played percussion instruments until the vigil ended. Jackie - - - ALL UNEMPLOYED AND WAGELESS PEOPLE An Open Meeting Join us in a discussion an the work of the Centre. Tell us about your ideas of what we should be doing. Help us in running the Centre. We are a resource for all people who are without paid work. Monday December 5th 2pm. Reading Centre for the Unemployed 4-6 East Street, Reading RG1 4QL Telephone: Reading (0734) 598839 - - - STANDING ORDER MANDATE To (your bank's name and address). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please pay to the account of RED RAG, Co-operative Bank, Reading (08-90-16) (a/c no, 50148637) the sum of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(words), £. . . . . . .(figs) on . . . . . . . . . . . . (date), and on the same date every month/ 3 months until further notice. Signed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date . . . . . . . . . Your name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Your a/c number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send this form to Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street, Reading - not to your bank. Ta. - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1983/1983-11-27.txt#5 $