RED RAG free fortnightly Next issue going out mark 782178 events 595605 news 595605 distribution 669502 adverts 595605 co-ordinator Pogle - (92) 680051 - - - Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. (Kenneth Grahame. The Wind in the Willows, 1908). Dear Red Rag I angree with the anonymous writer in the 9 June edition, it is stupid to incite people to violence against those attending Henley regatta. Of course, disadvantaged people will feel sore at the rich and privileged, but there is nothing to be gained from attacking them. Anger should be directed against those actually responsible, i.e. the Government. Meanwhile, I look forward to Red Rag's return to its stance as an alternative, peace-loving paper rather than masquerading as a left-wing version of The Sun, which can hardly appeal to most of the regular readership. L. Green Dear Red Rag, Just writing in to wish Wing Commander Hertz Von Low-rent the Anarchist propaganda ace "good luck" in his "napalm the rich" strafing run over the Henley Rigor mortis/terminal consumption exhibition and to express the hope that all the planes get back safely and avoid the lack of champagne corks and the reception committee...... Bruno S and Tinkerbell Dear Red Rag I was very insulted by the letter in your last issue criticizing the 'Bash the Rich' demo. 'Anonymous' of Reading may not wish to protest at Henley, but why he/she needs to condemn people who do is beyond me. Perhaps 'anonymous' doesn't realise that the rich only continue to exist because of attitudes like his/hers. It's silence which perpetuates their life of idle privilege and to condemn a protest against the blatant flaunting of personal wealth is playing into the hands of the upper class even more. I don't give a damn if 'anonymous' doesn't want to fight back against what the upper class have done to us during the last couple of years. However, Tory style propaganda about the 'fascist left' & criticisms of direct action against a violent state stinks of what was thrown at the miners 6 months ago. 'Anonymous' may like what the Rag has to offer but should be aware that his/her own views in print retard a genuine struggle against our class oppressors. Lee Ander - - - EVENTS June 24 Keith Joseph - coming to a closed meeting at University. Secret so don't know time or place - probably 12-1 Palmer Building? Vice-chancellor has threatened Labour Club with action if any trouble. Women & Men - come & sing outside Reading Crown Court, Artillery House, Tilehurst Rd from 12-2. Come in your lunch hour if you're working. In support of 5 Greenham women on trial for criminal damage to the Aldermaston fence. 25 Reading Athletic Club Championships at Palmer Park Sports Stadium 6.30 free. Women's Centre Campaign Meeting - about keeping the centre open. All women welcome. 6.30 at Centre, Old Shire Hall, Abbey Street. Coley Nursery - visit organised by RCU. See them for details. Policy Committee of Reading Borough Council meet in Civic Offices at 5.30. Silkscreen course - a new one starts at RCU from 1-3. Week 1 = introduction to silkscreen printing technique. Reading Trades Union council meeting at 7:30 at RCU. 26 Women's day at RCU - includes the video "Violence to Women" and discussion at 11.30. Also complementary medicine (health course); quilting (fabric craft). Gardens open at Old Rectory, Burghfield. 11-4 Plants for sale. Teas also. No dogs. Reading Joint Trade Union Education Committee - 7.30 at Adult College, Wilson Road: strategy for Autumn Term educational plan: involvement of WEA. 27 Wokingham Women's Group - "Domestic Violence" with workers from Reading Women's Refuge. 8.15 at Women's Centre, 1a Milton Rd. Details from Sue 782178. 28 Popular Frontism - Labour History Group discussion led by Geoffe Sharpe. 8pm at Red Lion. All welcome. 29 LPYS - Liverpool Youth Festival as part of ongoing fight against YTS conscription. Coach leaves Reading Station at 7am. £8, or £5 unwaged. Details from 666871 or 883760. Gardens Open at Basildon Park, Lower Basildon (off A329) 2-6. It's a private garden of old roses and old fashioned plants open this day only. Family Naturalist Weekend at Dinton Pastures. Today = Animal Tracking - discover signs and tracks. 2-4, 35p. See tomorrow as well. 30 Tree Club morning visit to Riverside Gardens Walk, Henley. Details from Mike Curtis, Wargrave 3158. Car Boot Sale at Addington School, Loddon Bridge Rd, Woodley. 9-3. £5 for a car boot. £6 for a table in the hall. Gardens Open at Botanic Gardens, University of Reading (Pepper lane entrance). Tea and biscuits. Plants for sale. 2-6. 50p for Mid-Counties Autistic Society. Also at Folly Farm, Sulhamstead. No dogs. Teas. 2-6 And at Foundry House, Sulhamstead. No dogs. Teas. Plants for sale. 2-6. And Simms Farm House, Mortimer. " And Wasing Place, Aldermaston. " Oxfam Open Day at Shinfield Gramge Cutbush Lane. 2-6. Floella Benjamen will judge. "Children in Africa" painting contest. Cream tease. Stalls and sideshows. 60p. OAPs 40p. Under 16s 20p. Reading Campaign against Social Security cuts - 6pm, probably at RCU but ring 477073 to make sure. It's a broad-based local campaign and only the 2nd meeting. Almost everyone welcome. National March to release jailed miners - Alexandra Pavillion, Wood Green. Bus leaves St Mary's Butts at 11.30, Bracknell Bus Station at 12.15. Fare = £1:25. Rally = £2? Contact 598191. July 1 Reading Central Library opens on Kings Road. Blockade Molesworth - London region CND have chosen today to "defend Molesworth". Blockade to last from 6am Monday morning - when first contractors' vehicles arrive - to 6am that evening. All groups and individuals are asked to ensure massive support for this action - non-violent blockade; leafletting; civilian workers, soldiers (British & American) police and local residents; vigil with posters. 01 388 3788 - London Region CND. Field Excursion at Reading Geological Society to the Caversham Park / Binfield Heath area. 7.30. Burghfield Common 2088 for details. 2 Thames Valley Computer Club - Mr T. Mooer of MD Kuma Computers on the new Atari. St. Church House, Church St, Caversham. 7.15. details of 864969. Walk - Watership Down - organised by RCU with Newbury C.U. Minibus leaves East St at 10.15. Bring packed lunch. Silkscreen class 2 at RCU. 1-3. "Different types of stencil". 3 Women's day at RCU - with video "Asian Women in Britain" & discussion, 11.30. 4 Henley Royal Regatta - I say no more. 18+ Social Evening with strawberries & cream. Cyclamen room, Ship Hotel at 8. Details 415343. Action - Reading & District Philatelic Society, Southcote Hall, the Library, Southcote Lane. 7.15. Ring 413405. 5 British Trolleybus Society meet at Abbey Gateway, The Forbury. 7.30. Christchurch Cathedral, Oxford - a lecture in Palmer Building, Whiteknights campus. 7.30. Presented by Reading centre of the National Trust. Ring 586945. 6 Women's Self-Expression - "writing" led by Reading Women Writers. 10.30-12.30 at Women's Centre, Abbey St. £1 or free to unwaged. Creche available, and disabled access. Ring Penny 662646. Save Waste & Gain - charity paper collection. Skips at Honey End Lane, Palmer Park, Northumberland Ave, St Martin's Precinct, Recreation Rd, Gt Knollys St. 8:30-12:30 (morning). Kennet Morris Men - in Market Place 10.30, Queen Victoria Statue 11.30, Civic centre 12.30, Hexagon 1.00. Free. Cavalcade of Historical Costumes - over 60 authentic costumes for men & women at Langtree School, Woodcote. 7.15 for 7.30. Admission by programme £3.50 including refreshment. Phone Checkendon 680803. Organised by the Chiktern Wives Society - what! Family History Society - 10th anniversary conference, to explore some of the problems which can arise when searching for the origin of a migrant ancestor. Bulmershe College. Telephone 451169. Youth Ornithologists Club - short walk in Kennet & Avon Canal area. Time? Cycle Campaign business meeting 80m at UB Cycles. 8 Tree Club - a tour of Englefield Estate Forestry, with Mr Beer, the head forester. 7.30. Details from 874347. - - - SMALL AD Person Wanted for communal family house. 3 adults and 2 children (3yrs; 3mths). Share vegetarian cooking, shopping, cleaning, wood-chopping, gardening etc. Mostly non-smoking. £25 a week plus share of bills. Ring Electra, Kevin or Daverick on Reading 65648. Have You Got Problems? If they are with the Electricity Board we would be interested to hear from you. We are trying to resist their demands for a "security deposit" and are thinking of setting up a pressure group. Ring Clive or James on 595605. Reading Between the Lines; a new enlarged and improved version of this indispensable guide to the town is being planned. Ideas, comments and offers of help all very welcome. Phone James on 595605 or write to Box 200, 17 Chatham St., Reading. Wanted, cheap or free, gardening tools, ring Linda on Reading 666526. Wanted, cheap or free, l filing Cabinet, ring Reading 665447. Room To Let - Double room in house in Caversham, no deposit required. Smokers welcome, prefer couple. £160 p.c.m. plus share bills. Vegetarian would be nice. Must like plants and dogs. Will haggle with singles. Ring Terry & Monique Rdg. 472634. Electric Cooker in return for £5 donation to Red Rag, must be collected. Tel: 65926. P.S. also have some palettes we don't need. Volunteers Needed for Women's Day, to help in creche for Wednesday is Women's Day at the Reading Centre for the Unemployed. Most help is needed in the morning from 9.30 a.m. Please come along if you feel you could help. Job Vacancy: Reading Centre for the Unemployed. Admin. Worker, 21 hours per week, £2.76 per hour, Community programme Post. Must have been out of work for some time, Reading 596639. - - - (paid ad) BUS PROJECT FIELD WORKERS Temporary Employment Opportunity for Long-Term Unemployed Field Workers are required as members of World Education Berkshire Mobile Development Education Project Team $56.81 per 23 Hr Week (3 Days) The team presets a variety of programmes on Development Education topics in schools and with Community Groups using a specially converted double-decker bus. We are looking for people with teaching skills and/or experience in counselling or group work, Publicity, Promotional / Campaigning etc and those with skills in Graphics, Display, Audio-Visual Aids, Art/Craft work, Theatre/Dance, Music, Writing etc. People from Ethnic Groups and those who are disabled will be warmly welcomed. The W.E.B. Bus Project is an MSC Community Programme Scheme and special eligibility conditions apply. If you are interested in one of these positions, contact Mr Tom Baines at the Slough Job Centre (Tel Slough 37711). For further details of the Project Contact W.E.B. at 112 Burnham Lane Slough (tel Burnham 67401). - - - GOING OUT Never mind the quantity, try and find the quality. Red Rag Readers' Roving Wreck on tour brings you the worst and more of the culture to be con-sumed. Come on down! Sunday June 23 Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel "Keepers Gate" £1 8pm. Butler Chatham St. - Jazz: Clem Adelman, 8pm free. South Hill Park - "Blood Simple" (18) 7.45pm. Family Picnic- Child Beale Trust, Pangbourne - Reading Young Ornithologists. Burghfield Common 2894. Thameside Promenade - Charity Water Carnival, £1, 10.30-6pm. Monday June 24 Univ - Palmer Building, 11.30am. Bring an egg / tomato / melon / flour bomb party with Uncle Keith Joseph. Silks, Bath Rd. Thatcham - Thatchers, Nettlebed - Folk Club 8pm free. Albion, Oxford Rd - Pete James Original Jubilee Jazz Band, 8pm, free. S.H.P. - "Le Bal" (PG) 7.45pm. Tuesday June 25 Out of Town Club, Padworth - A Nation Mourns, Kaya & King Sound. Bus from B.R. Reading 8pm £1.50. Paradise Club - Attila the Stockbroker / Tymon Dogg / Teenagers from Outder Space + veggie / vegan food, £3/£2 UB40. 9-2am. S.H.P. - "Le Bal" (PG) 7.45pm. New Yorker - Life Can + Dead Meat, 8pm, free. Wednesday June 26 New Yorker, Queens Walk - Jive Dive Club. Reading Film Theatre - "Broadway Danny Rose" (PG) 8pm. S.H.P. - "Le Bal" (PG) 7.45pm. Pandemonium Club - The Crown, Crown St (turn right at top of London St.) Roger Turner ("an extraordinary percussionist" - N.M.E.) 9-11, £1/£1:50. European Folk Dancing - Friends Meeting House, Church St (off S'ton St.), 7.45pm, £1. Gay Disco - Sloppy Joes, Station Hill, 9-2am, £1:50 (membership card). Thursday June 27 Paradise Club - Jah Shake - 9-2, £3. Reading Film Theatre - "Broadway Danny Rose" (PG) 8pm. UB40s £1:10. Boar's Head, Friar St - live band, free. Sportsman, Shinfield - free country music, 8pm. Market Inn, Bracknell - Secret Affair, 8pm, free. Univ - Student Union, jazz, 8pm, free. Stag + Hounds, Pinkeys Green, M'head - folk w/ Woodbine. SHP - Cellar Bar - Namoza + the Gathering, 8-12, £1:50. Friday June 28 Paradise - Saxon International Sound 9-2, £3. St. Andrews Hall, Redlands Rd - 3 bands, £3, 9-1 bar. The Lamb, Eversley - folk, free, 8pm. Lord Raglan, Denmark St., Wokingham - New Orleans Jazz, 8.30, free. S.H.P. Cellar Bar - St. Marks Centre, Deptford - Jah Shaka all nighter: coach from Central Club 9pm. S.H.P. Wilde Music Festival: 7.30pm Orchestra of the Menuhin School. Saturday June 29 Paradise - Official Reading MC Contest with Countryman Sound, "£3/£2:50 for women" (hmm...) Henley Rugger Club - Other Voices + The Gathering. S.H.P. - Alberni String Quartet 1pm - Julian Lloyd Webber 2pm - Contemporary Chamber Orch. 3.30pm - Julian Lloyd Webber (who?) 5pm - Alberni String Quartet 6pm - Bournemouth Sinfonietta 8pm. Gardens Open - Baslidon Park, Lower Baslidon, 2-6pm. Sunday June 30 Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, free. Butler, Chatham St - jazz w/ Clem Adelman, 8pm, free. Phyllis Court, Henley - Riverside, Rdg Tree Club, 10.00am. S.H.P. - London Gabrielli Brass 2pm - Kreisler String Orchestra Aquarius 3pm - The Parlour Quartet 6pm - Gabrielli Players 8pm. Smallmead Stadium - US Football, 3pm k.o. £2. New Games, Palmer Park, 2pm. Monday July 1 Silks, Thatcham - Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley - jazz / funk, 8pm, free. Univ - Students Union- jazz, 9-ish, free(?). The Bull, High St., Nettlebed - folk club 8pm. Albion, Oxford Rd - Pete James Original Jubilee Jazz, 8pm. S.H.P. - "Stop Making Sense" (PG) 7.45 £2:50 (Talking Heads). Tuesday July 2 Univ Great Hall, London Rd - Mozart, Schumann, Bizet, Copland & Handel, 7.30. Silver collection. Out of Town Club Padworth - The Complaints & The Gathering. S.H.P. - "Stop Making Sense" (PG) 7.45 £2:50. Wednesday July 3 Reading Film Theatre - "Don Giovanni" (PG) 7.30pm. Pandemonium Club - The Crown, Crown St, (back room) - (top of London St,. turn right) - Four Corners Saxophone Group & Lost Weekend (Songs of Drinking & Death) & The Willowdale Handcar 9-11pm, £1/£1:50. European Folk Dance - see 26th. New Yorker, Queens Walk - Jive Dive. Town Hall - lunchtime organ recital, 1.10pm, free. S.H.P. - "Stop Making Sense" (PG) 7.45pm. Thursday July 4 Biff! Bash! I say!! Paradise Club - Junior's Birthday Session - soul party with Soul to Soul Roadshow, 9-2am. Market Inn, Bracknell - Blue Heaven, 8pm, free. Boar's Head - live music, 8pm, free. Stag & Hounds, Pinkeys Green, M'head - folk, 8pm, free. Sportsman, Shinfield - free country music, 8pm. Ship Hotel, Duke St - Rdg 18plus Social, 8pm. Henley Regatta starts today. Bash bash. S.H.P. - Cellar Bar, Undercover Club Bands, 8pm, £1.50. S.H.P. - "Stop Making Sense" (PG) 7.45pm. Friday July 5 Poff! Hen-ry! I said... Macrobiotic Meal - 100 Northumberland Ave, 7pm start. Phone Wendy 860813 in advance. S.H.P. Cellar Bar - Lord Raglan, Wokingham - New Orleans Jazz, 8.30, free. Folk Club, The Lamb Eversley - 8pm, free. Paradise Club - Henley Regatta continues(?) today. SHP folk festival - Tom Paxton, Richard Digance, The Boothill Foot-Tappers, Cock & Bull Band, The Keepers Gate Band, Stanley Accrington, The Blades. All from 7pm & stuff all day. Saturday July 6 Bash! Oi - you're nicked... Kennet Morris Men, Hexagon, 12.15, free. Radstock Primary School Fete 2pm(?) Paradise Club - Lion Roots Sound. Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Bash Kennet Morris: Rdg Market Place 10.30am Queen Vic's Statue 11.30am Civic Offices / Hex 12.30am Summer Fair - Addington School, Loddon Bridge Rd, Woodley - 2pm, 50p. Summer Fete - Littleheath School, Tilehurst - 2pm. Summer Fayre - Denefield School, Tilehurst - 2pm. Bash SHP - Folk Festival from 10am, June Tabor, Andy Cronshaw, Pyewackett et alia, dance bands, theatre, entertainments & diversions. Sunday July 7 Wizard wheeze, what? Bash! Angies, Wokingham - IQC Jazz Funk (Milton Rd). Lord Raglan, Wokingham - free - New Orleans jazz 8pm. Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8pm, free. Butler, Chatham St - Clem Adelman, 8pm, free. SHP - Folk Festival from 10.00am - Ashley Hutchings, Oyster Band, Hugs Back Band, Wats on Draper & Locke, Blowzabella. End of Henley Regatta. That's all Folks! Key: SHP - South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell 0344 484123 Hex - Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading 591591 RFT - Reading Film Theatre, Palmer Bldg., Univ! Paradise Club, 112 London St., Reading, 576847 Theatre: 25-29 June - Hexagon - "Annie", generation theatre 7.30pm Th/Fri/Sat also 2.30. £1:75 - £3:50. 1-5 July - Progress Theatre, The Mount, Christchurch Rd. - Reading Youth Drama Festival - 7.45pm, 874230. 27 June - 6 July - ditto - "Groping for Words" (Sue Townsend) 1-6 July - Hexagon - "Having a Ball" (Bleasedale) - 8pm - Wed 2.30 / Sat 5pm too - £3.50+ Festivals: Stonehenge all June! Folkestone Folklore June 22-28 SE London Green Fair, Fordham Park, New Cross 01-318-6628 June 23 Norwich Rainbow Fayre, Earlham Park, Norwich - no camping - June 29/30 Crystal Palace Reggae Sunsplash £10 June 29 St Marks Centre, Deptford - Unity Hi Power & Sir Consone (post Sunsplash session) June 29 Battersea Park 01-734 0020 Jammin & S GLC June 30 4th International Green Gathering Molesworth July ? Hood Fayre, Diver Dart Country Park Devon £10:50 July 5/7 Angel Park Brixton, Rock Day (1), Reggae Day (2) July 6/7 Bash the Rich at Henley Regatta July 6 Smokey Bears Brixton July 6 St Pauls Carnival Bristol July 6 South Hill Park Folk Festival, Bracknell July 5/7 - - - BOX OFFICE Box Office would like to celebrate its first birthday - officially we're a year old on July 7th, though we've only been full-time at RCU since the first of November - by growing in numbers as well as age. In short, we urgently need at least two more people willing to take on a full- or part-time commitment to sharing creative skills, interests and experience with individuals and community groups in Reading and the surrounding area. We have provisional assurance of funding for decorative arts projects at the RCU; we're putting together the outline for an autumn workshop series on making and playing musical instruments, ideas for a Wind Festival at the end of August, possible schools activities, more work with over-50s and disabled people, and there are others till too tentative to talk about. And we're already kicking ideas around for Fringe 85: we start work on it the minute we know the dates. We've just completed eight weeks of making and playing musical instruments with mentally handicapped kids and helping in an arts festival involving people from nine different special schools, hospitals and Adult Training Centres. Those contacts, and our involvement with the Ark drama workshop will go on. We can usually be found at Reading Centre for the Unemployed, 4-6 East Street, during normal Centre hours. If not, leave a message. Call by and see us or ring 596639 weekdays between 9.30 and 4.30. Box Office - - - WOMEN'S DAY Wednesday is Women's Day at Reading Centre for the Unwaged, and since June 5th women have been taking part in a range of activities on offer. So far it has been a great success and lots of women have come (over 60 in the second week). We are all meeting new friends, sharing skills and having a lot of fun. Every week there have been two or three videos on a particular topic and the women's health course discussed different aspects of women's health. Women have also produced some beautiful batiks on the fabric crafts, course and the performance group have been exercising their lungs and generally enjoying themselves. Confidence building has been attended by 25 women and we are beginning to realise we need more space. If you want to find out more - come to the Centre on Wednesday. All women are welcome. J - - - BRACKNELL WOMEN CONSIDERED The range of facilities on offer for women in the Thames Valley's concrete paradise is so inadequate that the Centre for the Jobfree there is launching a new series of courses and workshops, aimed particularly at unwaged women. In addition to Penny Henrion's established writing workshops, on Mondays at 1pm, the following are to be available: - from Weds. 26 June, weekly afternoon workshops will look at the contributions made by women to his-story; -a women's support group is also starting at the Centre, on Wednesday mornings; -a single parent group will use the Centre on Thursday mornings; Most important of all, however, Tuesdays are to be totally devoted to courses and activities for women. From 9th July onwards, there will be workshops covering Women and Work, Third World Women, Assertiveness, Self Sufficiency, Women's Health, and Crafts; welfare rights information and advice will be available all day. Creche and refreshments available. For more details phone Donna on Bracknell 53421. - - - ANNIVERSARIES June Mon. 24th: Poland, 1976. Strikers burn down the Party headquarters in Radom. Tues. 25th: Czechoslovakia, 1921. Capek invents the word 'Robot'. Thur. 27th: Russia, 1869. Emma Goldman born. USA, 1950. U.S. Government decides to send 35 military 'advisers' to Vietnam. July Mon. 1st: USA. Start of Baked Bean Month Thur. 2nd: USA, 1776. Independence Day (for white, propertied adult males.) USA, 1854. William Lloyd Garrison burns a copy of the American Constitution saying "So perish all compromises with tyranny." Sun. 7th: England, 1981. Riots break out in Wood Green and Manchester. Zed Feecher - - - TUDOR ARMS By way of comment on the suggestion to boycott the Tudor Arms; I find it amazing that something so seemingly mundane as a beermat can create such alarm. The Items in question do appear to have offended a few, but have been ignored by the ideologically insensitive majority. Destroying the beermats could in fact be more offensive to the majority of customers than leaving well alone. After all, what a bore the evening becomes when your continuously mopping up slops with handfuls of confetti-like beermat or the nearest crisp-pac. The landlords attack on beermat shredding is hardly surprising; the bulk of his clientele must, after all be kept happy. What exactly differentiates a gay pub from a Reading style gay pub? If it's to do with being run by gays, having gay posters on the wall or copies of G.N. behind the bar, then it's true that the Tudor falls short of being authentically gay. However, the importance of these in comparison with a warm and friendly atmosphere has to be questioned: One only has to compare the Tudor with Leicester Square's Salisbury to be convinced that it's atmosphere is one of hospitality rather than hostility. Unless the term 'homophobia' has changed its meaning I find it rather difficult to recognise a homophobic landlord running a gay pub. (Surely it's rather like a claustrophobic becoming a lift operator). If the term is being used to express a dislike rather than a fear, then this certainly does not apply to the landlord whose attitude I have always found amicable. Many people appear to complain, argue, laugh loudly and enjoy themselves without getting evicted. Skinheads are still associated with a genuine castration-anxiety related homophobia, but D.M's and a crew cut rarely results in immediate banishment. An alternative pub is a great idea: we could all do with a change occasionally. May I suggest that the prospective landlord be given advanced warning that his attitude and etiquette will be carefully scrutinised. Antagonism over the beermats might be directed towards their producers. One visible gay. - - - READING CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED Open Meeting Saturday, 29th June, 10.30a.m. at Reading Centre For The Unemployed. Are you currently involved with the Centre? Have you aver been involved? Would you like to be involved? Come along to an open meeting to hear about the progress of the Centre since we first opened in February, 1982, and to discuss aims, objectives and future plans. Creche Provided. It's your centre - use it! Tel. 596639 Women's activities .. create your own job .. welfare rights .. free childcare facilities .. resource centre .. education .. snack bar - - - PRESS RELEASE Reading Ecology Party this week called for a halt to road-building in the town and the introduction of a transport policy aimed at reducing traffic congestion. Commenting on the proposed development of the Cross-Town route and the Third Thames bridge, the party said that before asking the public to approve massive and costly road-building schemes, the County Council should give full and urgent consideration to the alternatives. Andrew Hardy, for the Ecology Party said, "The County Council proposes to spend £5000 for every man, woman and child in Reading, to complete the IDR, A33 relief road, Cross-Town route and Third Thames Bridge. Yet even this huge network will be unable to meet projected growth in traffic levels, and by encouraging more people to use cars it could even make congestion worse. A transport policy aimed at reducing traffic levels would be much cheaper, do less damage to the environment, and come into effect much more quickly." The Ecology Party's alternative transport policy would encourage people to leave their cars at home by offering better and faster bus and rail services, and improved provision for cyclists and pedestrians. This would be achieved by designating new bus lanes and cycleways, building commuter railway stations in South Reading, introducing Park and Ride schemes for shoppers and commuters, and improving the links between each form of transport. A wider variety of collection points and destinations would be serviced, using smaller vehicles such as minibuses where appropriate. In the long-term the Ecology Party would reduce the need to travel by grouping homes, workplaces, shops and leisure facilities in the same neighbourhoods. The Ecology Party's views and proposals are explained in more detail in a written response to County Council's public consultation documents on the Cross-Town Route and the Third Thames Bridge. For more details contact Andrew Hardy. Tel.580649, (during working-hours). - - - (paid ad) Reading Ecology Party RECORD AND BOOK SALE On the first and last Saturday of every month at:- 4 Culver Road, Reading (off Wokingham Road). We offer a wide variety of records, fiction, non-fiction, children's books, periodicals etc. Tel: 65533 for more details. Admission free. - - - GREENHAM The Greenham Common Wimmins Newsletter is now available in Reading at a nominal charge of 20p. It contains lots of information about things that are happening at the camp as well as news from wimmin working for peace in other parts of the country and abroad. It's available from Acorn Bookshop and from Karen at Reading Centre for the Unemployed. - - - CASSETTE SERVICE For some weeks keen-sighted Rag readers will have noticed a small advertisement for Red Rag on cassette. Nick Levine, who has been running this single-handed, is about to leave Reading; but we would like to keep the cassette service going, especially as interest in it from readers has been growing. Anyone who can spare their voice for half-an-hour a fortnight to help record the tape would be welcomed with open arms, also anyone with a microphone and cassette deck, cassette to cassette recording facilities, enthusiasm, bright ideas and enough staying power to act as regular co-ordinator. If you can offer any of the above please ring Guy (Reading 669562). Also ring this number if you want a tape version of this or future Rags. - - - GREEN PARAGRAPH "Ladybird" is having an extended holiday, and resting her weeding / typing finger. So no more gardening columns for now from me. The name is not copyright, folks; over to you. - - - (paid ad) Hear Friends of the Earth Director JONATHAN PORRITT at Wokingham Town Hall on Wed. 17th July '85 at 8pm on The Global Perspective: Development and Environment. Admission £1 (50p. Unwaged.) Tickets from 27 Instow Rd, Earley. Tel. Rdg. 868260. and 11 Highfield Close. Wokingham. Tel. Wok.783204. - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1985/1985-06-23.txt#3 $