RED A G Free Reading's Zaniest Fortnightly 11th -> 24th Nov Copy date: 21st Nov Coordinator + going out: Mark 868488 Events: Paul: 481081 News, ads: James: 595605 + folding etc. - - - TRASH WAITROSE A campaign of non-violent direct action began on Friday 8th November with the aim of encouraging supermarkets in the Reading area to boycott South African produce in their stores. To highlight the wide selection of South African produce on the shelves by filling supermarket trolleys with a range of South African produce before leaving the store empty-handed. The first trolleys were filled by about twenty people on Friday in the three branches of Waitrose and other central Reading stores. In the lead-up to the busy Christmas period it is hoped the campaign will gather momentum with more people joining in. Reading stores stock a wide range of South African fruit (fresh, dried and canned) as well as canned meat and fish. Those filling the trolleys believe that the appeal of black South Africans to people throughout the world for a boycott of the products of Apartheid is the most simple and effective way in which we can contribute to the cause of freedom in South Africa. The system of apartheid has been universally condemned. The United Nations has declared it a 'crime against humanity'. It means that black South Africans have no right in the land of their birth; they experience the degredation of racial discrimination every day of their lives. And yet every possible means of bringing about change has been blocked by the South African authorities. If you buy Cape fruit or Outspan oranges, dried or tinned fruit from South Africa, drink South African sherry or wine, eat South African tinned fish or meat or wear South African clothes, you will be benefiting directly from this evil system. In the words of a former Prime Minister of South Africa, "Every time a South African product is bought it is another brick in the wall of our existence." The black people of South Africa have repeatedly called for this boycott. There are three main reasons why we appeal to British people to support this call: * The black people who produce these goods live in conditions of semi-slavery and are paid starvation wages. * The boycott of South African goods contributes towards total isolation of South Africa, by means of which the apartheid regime will be denied the economic and military support it needs. * "Every effort to isolate South Africa adds strength to our struggle," in the words of Nelson Mandela, the most famous of African leaders in South Africa, still serving life imprisonment. Stickers available from: Box 101, Acorn Bookshop, 17 Chatham Street, Reading. - - - TOMORROW'S CHILDREN A Warning To Parents I was born with the dawn - in nakedness and innocence - knowing nothing but the need for love, for nature had endowed me thus, knowing love to be her finest achievement. But I was betrayed by you my parents, for your legacy to me was corruption itself. Into my garden of delights you crept - demons of "Experience" - dragging me screaming into your nightmare. I grew older, the slow crawl to adulthood littered with the excrement of your perverse idols. I did not invent the nuclear holocaust that daily hangs over me; I did not know the abuse of my fellows until you taught me the way; I knew nothing of wealth or poverty until you thrust coins into my hand and employment through my daylight hours. The world into which I have been born is not of my making. It is my inheritance from you who bore me. And in this I have been sorely cheated, for I have found little of the love, the beauty, the happiness, the fruitfulness, that should have been mine to receive and to give. I look at the world that you have bequeathed to me and see only desolation, death, poverty, suffering, and sorrow. It is these that are the fruits of your ghastly labour, these that are the temples you have created for me. I am left with nothing but the rotting remains of a once divine image. And you my parents - old and withered - you seek only to administer tyrannical beatings, flagellating me with your hypocracies until I bleed from every pore. When I tell you that your employment, your talk of fine careers and the gently meandering road to retirement, is a corrupt illusion, is slavery, that I was born free and will never consent to be a slave to your desks, to your machines, to the endless boredom that you have so carefully planned for me; when I tell you that ambition, victory, the defeating of opponents, debases the dignity of human companionship, and that I will do nothing but love all humanity in common; when I tell you that wealth, possessions, investments, are someone else's poverty - an entire world's despair, and that I will not accumulate material things, but give all that I have that others might be free, that others may know those virtues of warmth, happiness and love - I am laughed at, outcast, beaten, imprisoned, executed, all this by you my parents who claim to love me above all things. But I say to you beware, for your children will one day be free of you. For we have seen the truth of your follies, we have smelt the rancid odour of your decaying, falsehoods. A day is coming when we will put down our tools that chain us like beasts to the engines of your empires; we will smash your infernal machines, and cast you into the wilderness where you can learn again the principles of human universal love, or else perish in your own excrement - the realisation of the horror of what you have become. The choice is clear. You have borne us with no sense of responsibility, in your self centred desires for social acceptance, for distraction, for entertainment - with less consideration than you would give to the bringing of a pet dog or cat into your home - you have created us. Can there really have been love in your withered hearts when we were conceived? Had you but cast one single glance at the world about you, you would not have been so arrogant in your desires. The time to make amends is but brief yet far from repenting you seek only to punish us further, to endeavour to impose upon us morals which you yourself have so freely thrown away. Those great temples of indulgence, of sexual exploitation, of abuse, were not of my making. Like all innocents we were but the sacrificial victims on the high altars of your false idols. It is from you alone, from your dark world of violence and suffering, that we have learnt the abuse of each other. Your gods are but the wing-ed messengers of death and despair. But we are a hungry people, an angry people who would be rid of these false masters who have imbibed us with the hatred of each other. When the dawn rises tomorrow it will mark the beginning of the end of your dominion, for tomorrow's children will BE wiser, more beautiful, and far stronger than your tyranny. Tomorrow's children will take the ashes of infinite love, of infinite freedom, in their arms and raise them like a phoenix from the funeral pyre that we will one day make of this sad, pathetic, dying world you have left for us as your final, self indulgent testament. 18 October 1985 Joe - - - Beat And The Devil Funktion at the Junktion Funk and reggae dance night RED RAG BENEFIT Tuesday 12th Nov. Paradise Club 112 London St, Reading 8pm-2am. 1st band 9pm. £1 unwaged / £2 waged - - - WIDENING THE GAP Calling Women Everywhere to a Weekend of Bridge Building and Idea Sharing. December 14-15 1985 What started out as a single thread of resistance to Cruise has developed into a multi-coloured web as connections have been made with other women's actions around racism, sexism, classism, imperialism and poverty. Greenham is calling all women everywhere to join together to extend this web of women's action. One woman or group can do just so much, but together... Do you often wonder if you are a lone voice in the wilderness? Women's action is usually ignored in the media, so why not bring news or a workshop from your area to share with others. Each gate could take on one area of interest, for instance: Food Mountains at one gate, Nuclear Free Pacific at another. Saturday 14th 2pm: In silence we will join hands and turn our backs on the base looking outwards to the people of the world. By turning away from the negative we can look out into the positive future. This will be followed by workshops at the various gates. Sunday 15th: Further workshops. Looking to the future; if every woman who comes to this action would make a commitment to come to Greenham for two days midweek even once during the coming year, it would make an enormous difference to the numbers of women here, and give strength and support. Many thanks, Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp - - - GREENHAM NEWSLETTER - The Autumn edition of the Green and Common Newsletter is now available at Acorn Bookshop, written and compiled by the women at Greenham - 38 pages - 30p - Please show your support. - - - (paid ad) New Free Courses at READING CENTRE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED Bicycle Maintenance:- Mons 10am - 12pm Fitness Course:- Tues 10am - 12pm Judo - at Central Club:- Wed 9.45am - 11.45am For further details phone 596639 and ask for Pam or Alan. RCU 4-6 East St. - - - BOX OFFICE Now we are one. Years, not people: having fluctuated in number from time to time, we are now back to where we started in numbers and identities. But we now - officially - one year old, and hopefully a little wiser, as a full-time community arts project for Reading and Berkshire. The germ of it all goes back further, to mid-summer 1984, and we actually did a few one-off things as Box Office during our 'prehistoric' period, but we count our years from October 29 l984, when Martin Salter on his first day at work offered us a corner of the Centre for the Unemployed, storage space somewhere between heaven and earth and a semi-crippled ping pong table to work on. The table has moved around from time to time but we are still at RCU: at least that's where we are when we aren't out in the community where people are, helping them to do their thing on their own patch which is what we're about. What's made it so rewarding, and keeps us going when things look grim and feel like packing it in and looking for jobs as encyclopedia salesmen or something is the warmhearted acceptance we've had from the community and communities in Reading: wherever we've gone and whoever we've worked with, we've been made to feel like paet of what they are about, not simply visiting strangers, outsiders who come in, perform or spout and go away again. That's how we want it, because that's what Community Art is supposed to be about - community. And that's why we're throwing a party at RCU on November 23: to celebrate with all our friends. Two parties in fact. From 3 to 5.30 in the afternoon it's a party for kids of all ages, with <> kids of all ages <> and lots of silly & squidgey things to do (no best party clothes, please). And in the evening from 8 to 11ish it's the Box Office Grand Supplementary Benefit Rent Party with live music from Jive Alive, Captain Swing Cook and doubtless assorted others. Usualish setup - bring a bottle, and any contributions of food more than welcome so it doesn't run out just when you're getting peckish yourself. The only sad note is that we can't give it all away: we haven't any more money than we did this time last year and we have to pay the band, so it's 50p on the door for the kids party and £2 (£1 unwaged) for the evening bash - advance tickets from Harvest, Rag Doll and Acorn. Do come and help us celebrate! Love, Dave and Jo - - - CASSETTE SERVICE This issue of Red Rag will be available on cassette for people with eight problems. Contact Guy on 669582. Interest in this from readers has been growing and it would be great to keep it going. Anyone who can spare their voice for half-m-hour a fortnight to help record the tape would be welcomed with open arms, also anyone with 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 669562 - - - GIG REVIEW I love students / So wrote Captain Sensible (6 Nov S.U. Whiteknights) after a real bobby dazzler of a set. The Captain & crew were beset by the audio doldrums characteristic of that hall. It more often resounds to the sounds of Nike feet, work out grunts and the like. Which explains the need for a shipshape & all correct Bosun to oversee the task of mixing. The Captain & crew cast off with Wot the spinnaker of the voyage. This was well received by all hands on deck. "Hard to believe" preceeded the tac to "Yanks" those with guns being addressed most particularly. According to the Captain's log (a copy was rescued from the missing bridge) "Brenda" was forecast but in the event "Croydon" took precedence a song even the most obdurate person couldn't fail to recognise as a truly A1 and 100% at Lloyds song. All seafarers suffer small squalls from time to time and just as we prepared to sail into "Women say Go" with the Captain's avowed support and words of good cheer to the Greenham Women, a mutinous murmur arose from those below decks. With characteristic aplomb our gallant Captain sailed on. To judge from the applause at the end of the song the mutineers had walked the plank. "Snakes & Ladders" was played as was the story of "Martha the Mouth". "The power of Love" we were told "is ours" Captain said, "Anybody heard of Cyd Barrett?" to then launch into "It would be so nice" (not credited as a Cyd song but...) "Come of down" and "Smash it up" are as far apart from "Nappy Talk as the North and South poles are ("Nappy", direct from log and not necessarily Captain's view of song but a popular number no matter what the spelling) combine this truly diverse taste with Dolly Mixture's vitality, gusto and plain good singing, add Robin Hitchcock & Tony Mansfield in good measure, shake, & the result is a Captain concert. To celebrate "crossing the line" the good captain performed "Hippy Hippy Shake" to all hands delight. S.S. Sensible prepared to dock, crew went below decks & all others departed. With the exception of the odd line of spindrift from the mixing bridge (weevil picking - I know) a wonderful scurvy free evening was had by all. Next time S.S. Sensible is in harbour, do go aboard. You will be hearted by the virtuosity of at Sensibles table. - - - (paid ad) NEWTOWN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION meets every 2nd Weds of the month at the community house. Are you looking for premises in Newtown? The community house offers you space and time for new and exciting community groups. 117 Cumberland Road. Contact Kate 68158 / Hazel 662720 - - - RED RAG Red Rag has been produced for nearly 6 years by an ever-changing group of people - the Red Rag Collective - and anyone can join in. The possibilities for helping produce your very own newspaper are endless, no offer of help is ever refused. The Collective is everyone who helps on the Rag but in practice it's the people who go to Collective meetings held once every 6 weeks or so on a Sunday afternoon on an alternate w/e to the Rag. It should be announced in the Events Guide. The minutes of these meetings are available, if you are interested you should ask for them to be delivered with the Rag. Articles for the Rag 12cm wide single spaced if typed (the prod, team reduce). Please state if you don't mind editorial scissor work or if you want the article to remain untouched. Articles should be signed in some way. Without a contact phone no. or address then the editorial group can't discuss changes etc. Beware Copy deadline is usually the Thurs. before publication. P.S. There is a collective policy of no poetry. - - - Red Rag IDEALOGICALLY SOUND CHRISTMAS CARDS, wrapping paper, and other products, for the consumer with one eye on dialectical materialism, and the other on the clock in the pub. Mark - Reading 868488. - - - (paid ad) THE ACCRINGTON PALS by Peter Whelan November 7th - 16th at 7.45pm Tickets £2:40 (concessions £2:00) Box Office: Reading 477594 Progress Theatre - - - GOING OUT GUIDE Nowhere near as good as it could / should be, Going Out nonetheless at least outlines the options for spending this week's giro. Some of the goodies on offer to the discerning socialite include: Monday 11 November: Brixton Fridge - Sun Ra & his Arkestra pay an unfrequent visit from Saturn. Legendary jazz innovator and very well dressed. Silks, Bath Rd, Thatcham - rock night. No details so phone 932 65562. The Albion, Oxford Rd - Pete James Jazz Band, 8pm, free & free form. Univ. Students Union - jazz, 9ish & free. Often trad / Dixie. No union card needed. Kennet Arms - folk night, 8ish: recommended though I haven't been myself. Thatchers, Fairwater Drive, Woodley - soul, funk & jazz till 11pm, free. Venue resembles set for jolly Hotmeister advert crossed with Lark Rise to Bleedin' Candleford. The Bull at Nettlebed - folk club at 8 but no details to hand at the mo. South Hill Park, Bracknell - "The Killing Fields" (15) 7.45 £2:50. WASP guilt trip in Cambodia... Oh, did we really sell 'em out? Tuesday 12 November: Paradise Club, 112 London St - Red Rag benefit: an evening of funk, soul & reggae with Funktion at the Junktion and Beat & the Devil, & sound system. 8pm-2am, and 1st band will be on at 9. So get in there early! £2 / £1 unwaged. B.J. Moons ,Kings Rd - live mutineers in the nosh palace, 8pm, free. Out of Town Club, Bath Rd Padworth - live band, no details. Tel: 713282. Tudor Arms, Greyfriars Road - alleged "gay" disco in reputed "gay" pub. Clientele mainly male & often women haters. Recent intensification of feeling following some people being banned for criticising scumbag landlord's beermats (degrading pictures of women), & others boycott the place in solidarity. Hexagon - Kids Korner Club, 12.30-1.30: free kids entertainment. Univ. Palmer Building - piano duet, 1.10pm, free. SHP - "The Killing Fields" (15) 7.45 again. SHP - Cellar Bar Jazz: Geoff Dunn / Ronnie Johnson group, 8pm, £2:50 - a highlight of the recent Capital Radio Festival. Wednesday 13 November: Reading Film Theatre - Palmer Building, Univ campus: 8pm "Spirit of the Beehive" (15). Set in Spain in 1940, the story of a six year old who finds a wounded fugitive & mixes fact & fantasy. Paradise Club - Soul Train: Lion Roots International playing soul music. 8-2, £1. SHP - "The Killing Fields". Again. Hex - The Flying Pickets. No, not the Orgreave crew. Pity. Bensons, Henley - The Gathering & The Following. Thursday 14 November: RFT - "1984" (15), at 7.45. UB40 cheapo night. Second sreening at 10pm. Univ Union - jazz, 9ish, free. Stag & Hounds, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead - folk club, 8pm, free. Singers nite! Horrendous country music at the Cross Keys & the Sportsman. Live band at Boars Head, spiritual home of the "Argy-Bargy" & our brave boys (and their cortinas). SHP - live band in the Cellar Bar, 8pm-12, £1:50/50p UB40. SHP - cinema - "The Grey Fox" (PG) 7/45: gentleman robber of the Wild West emerges from prison after 30 years to find things have changed a bit. Hex - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 7.30. Friday 15 November: 6th International Video Festival at South Hill Park - 7.45 kick off. Over the weekend there will be at least 30 screenings of selected tapes, and a facility to look at any other submitted. Lots of interesting video types about as well as the usual Centre tossers. £1 to get in tonight. £7:50 a day Sat/Sun but a weekend ticket is £12:50. UB40s get in 1/2 price. See y'all there!! Music videos tonight. SHP Cellar Bar - alternative comedy: "The Old Iron Boys" & "Lee Corns" (it says 'ere). Also "Zap Club Brighton video disco". (Hmm, Red Rag's will be better..) 10-2, £3, food available. 16: Marquee, London - local pop celebs Friction Groove are playing. Coach leaves BR Reading at 7.4-pm & it's only £4, all in. Orchard School, Slough - popular & classical Asian music from Awara. 7.30pm. Hex - 49th Brass Band festival, 9am, with Grimthorpe Colliery Band on at 7.30pm. Aaah, it takes me back to my tough northern root... Stonehenge 86 benefit at the Old Fire Station, 2-11 Tunnel Avenue, London SE10. Bus 177/180 or BR from Charing Cross to Westocmbe Park. Omega Tribe & support are playing. All for a good cause! SHP - folk in ye cellarre barre: 8pm, £1:80. This week it's, well, I dunno. They don't tell you. Try Br 484123. St. Nicholas Church, Hurst - Woodely Concert Band, £2, 8pm. Tickets / details: Rdg 783041. Paradise Club - Sunshine Glee Club - see ad elsewhere. All day music and fun £3 in advance from Acorn. Sunday 17 November: SHP video festival - as yesterday. Readifolk - Caversham Bridge Hotel, 8.15, free. The Butler, Chatham St - Clem Adelman's modern jazz, 8ish, free. Paradise - Lion Roots Sound playing their new music. 8-late. £1. Reading reggae sound system. Root of the Matter, in Mo's Place, London St - live music from about 12-3 whilst you eat. Music's free, food not so. Hex - Reading Male Voice Choir. 7.30pm. SHP - stone carving workshop. Well pricey. Monday 18 November: Same as last week dept includes Univ. Union, Thatchers, Silks, the Albion Inn, & Bull at Nettlebed. Kennet Arms - folk night, 8ish & free. SHP cinema - "My First Wife" (15) 7.45, £2:50 - DJ / composer's wife leave him; supposedly filmed very sensitively etc. Slough Library - forum & discussion on ethnic arts in education. 7.30pm, free. Tuesday 19 November: University - Marc Almond, 8-1am, £4 from Listen / Music Market. If you have a ticket you don't need a union card to get in. BJ Moons, Kings Rd - live music, 8pm, free. Out of Town Club, Padworth - live band. Tudor Arms - another "gay" disco - see last Tuesday. SHP jazz - Lennie Best quartet & Kathie Stobart on sax. 8pm, £2:70. "Britain's most celebrated vibes & sax team." SHP cinema - "My first wife" (15) 7.45 as last night. Hex - free kids entertainment 12.30-1.30. Wednesday 20 November: RFT - "A Love in Germany" (15) - 8pm. German shopkeeper falls in love with Polish PoW in 1941: such a non Aryan relationship upsets the normality of "Nazi" life. Directed by Andrzej Wajda. Paradise - Soul Train, £1, 8-late. Soul music / electro / hiphop etc. SHP cinema as yesterday. Thursday 21 November: Univ. Union - jazz, 9ish, free. Stag & Hounds, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead: folk with Dave Webster, 8pm, free. Dire country music at Cross Keys & Sportsman. Boars Head - live band & video jukebox & pro Falklands / Malvinas bar display. RFT - "My first wife" 8pm. Yeah, the one which has been on at SHP!! SHP - Undercover Club, 8-12. £1:50 / 50p. Live bands. Hex - 1.10pm, The Bartholdy Trio", free. They cost £3 at SHP tomorrow... Univ. London Rd Great Hall - Univ. Chamber Orchestra, £3 tickets. Details - Music dept - 860293. Friday 22 November: Women's party at the Women's Centre, Abbey St, 8pm onwards. Please bring food & drink to share. Fulcrum Centre, Slough - Asian folk & popular dance, plus a steel band, dance troup, one act play by the Caribbean United Club & traditional food. All for £3. 7.30pm start 8 <>, the finale to the Afro-Caribbean & Asian Arts Festival. St Crispin's Centre, London Rd, Wokingham - Magic Mushroom Band (cosmic / spacey), £2, last entry 10pm. Tudor Arms - more of the same - see 12th November entry. Macrobiotics meeting & meal - 100 Northumberland Ave, 7pm. Please phone Wendy in advance on 860813. SHP Friday Live - The Boppers - 3 jazz sets ranging from Ornette Coleman to Louis Jordan. From 10 - 2am, £3, food on sale. Folk club at The Lamb, Everslet 8pm, free. SHP recital - The Bartholdy Trio, 7.30, £3. Hadyn, Beethoven & Ravel. SHP cinema - "A Passage to India" (PG) 7.45 £2:50. Scenic view of colonial past. Paradise Club. Saturday 23 November: Box Office's 1st Birthday at Reading Centre for the Unwaged. 1) 3-5pm Super Birthday Party for kids (all ages but over 70s must be accompanied by parent or guardian, it says 'ere). Clowns, ideophonic orchestra, refreshments, lots of silly & squidgey things (so no party clothes). 50p. 2) 8-late the Supplementary Benefit Rent Party: Jive Alive (Cajun / blues / Texmex mix) & Capt Swing (folk & traditional musics, but changing all the time too!). Bring drink & food to share. £1. Try Acorn for tickets (not confirmed when I got the info). Fulcrum, Slough - Doris Collins, the world's most acclaimed medium. 7.30. Slough 38669. SHP recital - The Bartholdy Trio, £3. Not last night, sorry!! SHP folk - 8pm Cellar Bar, £1:80: phone to find out who. SHP cinema - "A Passage to India" 7.45 & 10:30pm. St Crispin's Centre, Wokingham - choral concert - Beethoven. £4:50. 7.30 start, details 785520. Gay & lesbian celebration, Horse & Barge, Duke St. 8pm. Details from Acorn. Sunday 24 November: Readifolk, 8.15 free at Caversham Bridge Hotel. Paradise - Lion Roots International Sound System, 8-late, £1. Root of the Matter - free lunchtime musics whilst you munch your veggie delights. 8/10 London St/ The Butler - Clem Adelman fighting the good fight - modern jazz stylee. 8ish & free. Key: Paradise - Paradise Club, 112 London St, Reading 576847. Hex - Hexagon Theatre, Queen's Walk: tel 591591. SHP - South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell: tel B. 484123. Matters theatrical... South Hill Park (Bracknell): 21-23 Nov 7.30: Janet Smith & Dancers, new ballet, music by Gershwin. South Hill Park B. 484123: 12-16 Nov 7.30 (12.30 on 16th): "Annie Get Your Gun", based on Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and sharp shooter Annie Oakley. Lots of showbiz songs. Hexagon 591591: 18-23 Nov 8pm & some mats: "Spivs" (New Vic theatre). Alleged comedy. Women's Centre, Abbey St: every Sat 10-12: performance group, all women welcome. Progress Theatre, The Mount 477594: til 16th Nov, 7.45: "The Accrington Pals." Working class women left behind when a battallion goes off to the trenches in the first World War. Bulmershe College, Wooodlands Ave, Woodley: 13th Nov 7.30: "Seduced" (Sam Shepard). 10th Nov 7.30: The Millstream Theatre as spare tyre in "You've got to be Kidding". Usually a performance every Wednesday: phone 663387. Park Church Hall, Wokingham Rd 663809: 15/16 Nov 7.30: "The House on the Cliff", "a comedy / mystery play", is it Christian? Shinfield Players, next to Shire Hall 883315: 22/23, 29/30 7.45. "Oliver!" Lionel Barts musical. Progress Theatre: 30 Nov, 7.45. "Galaxy's Guide to Survival" - Fallout Theatre Group. A BANC do. Keep it coming! Information is wonderful stuff, if you van get hold of it: especially you gig promoters - use the Rag! Phone me on 868488 (& leave a message maybe). Comradely greetings, Mark xxx hug hug xxx - - - ANTI APARTHEID CAMPAIGN Benefit Gig (19/1/'85) at The Paradise Club with: Funktion at the Junktion Jazz Assassins & John Liepins Voice Attack 8-late £1:00 UB40 / £2:00 waged - - - REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER Remember, remember the 5th of November? Was Guy Faulks an anarchist? What went wrong with the launch of a mega rocket? Why did Maggie's head fall off of her effigy when the flames started licking the armpits? how came the 'Coal' looks worse now that the council have tidied up? Why was it so damn cold and windy? How was it that sixty odd poverty stricken bods managed to stage a non-stop two hour firework display? Why did the kids stay up so late? Whet was wrong with the people who walked by on the towpath and missed it all? If you ask around enough someone could give you the answers. You wont find them here: Lets do it again next month. - - - WORKERS POWER EXPLAINS WHY THE LEFT LEFT HAS TO TAKE UP THE FIGHT AGAINST RACISM The recent riots in Toxteth, Brixton, Tottenham and Handsworth are a public demonstration by black groups of their anger at the racism in all areas of Brinish society. This racism is rife, even in Labour Movement organisations. Trades Unionists threaten to strike if unions take up the cause of black workers (Imperial Typewriters) or if black workers are employed ahead of whites. The very fact that there is no organisation for the unemployed means that they cannot take part in Labour Movement organisation. And the high black youth unemployment in inner city areas further exacerbates the problem. That's not to say that black youth trust the white, racist Labour Party or trade unions; but if racism in these organisations was challenged and black members had the right to organise independently, they might be drawn into a serious struggle to fight all forms of racism. But for racism to be seriously challenged in the Labour Movement, the left in Britain must be serious about fighting racism inside the labour institutions. The left must show to the black community that it's serious and willing to fight alongside the demonstrators in Handsworth etc and to rid Britain of its anti-immigration laws, its racist police force and its right wing racist trade union and labour representatives. Roy Hattersley and Neil Kinnock attack the demonstrations in Handsworth as 'massive overreaction to any kind of conflict with authority or with the police.' This must be challenged and we must declare total support for the black youths of Birmingham,. Brirton etc. Kinnock and co. have never given black youth the chance to express their rebellion though political campaigns rallies, demos or strikes. Yet they condemn any form of direct action against the racist state forces. Workers Power believes that serious militants must defend the Handsworth Defence Campaign and other local defence groups. We have argued for and continue to argue for Labour Party, trade union, University and college NUS meetings to invite speakers from the Newham 7 and Handsworth Defence Campaigns to build awareness and support for the fight against racist attacks. So far Bulmershe Students Socialist Society is inviting a speaker from Handsworth, on our initiative, and we hope others will follow. (Details hopefully for next Red Rag). We will work with anyone who is serious about fighting racism. Simply because Reading hasn't had its own mass unrest doesn't mean to say we can sit back and do nothing. We must organise now to defend the black communities in all areas and smash racism wherever it strikes. Steve Powell Reading Workers Power - - - (paid ad) Sat 16th November THE SUNSHINE GLEE CLUB Many of Doris' friends will return to one stage next Saturday (16th November) at the Paradise Club, London Street, to raise a few more funds for next years 21st Birthday Party. The all day event will start with a lively fun set from those Utopian dreamers 'The Escapists' followed by Andovers Reggae Plane outfit 'Charas'. Mellowing out around 3ish with Wimbledons own answer to the wombles 'The Ozric Tenticals' reaching out and tiding up places within you, that you didn't know existed, taking up about 5 with Basingstoke's only redeeming feature 'Earthlore'. Having got you back on your feet there is a chance to indulge in a 'guitar triggered ruck' (see issue ten of Mighty Utterance) with 'The Gathering', by this time you should be ready to let 'The Magic Mushroom Band' show you around their brand of 'soul space rock', and to mop-up anyone that's left. Cornwall's 'Webcore' will try to explain in a musical sort of way, why they are called webcore! Also webcore will feature a set by 'Another Green World' - just close your eyes and it's not planet earth. To add to the day's pleasures there will be a number of unscheduled happenings, along with munchies supplied the Wild Tyme food collective, an all day bar with happy hour prices between 7 & 8pm and of course the ever popular 'if we can get away with it' Raffle. Tickets available in advance from Acorn Bookshop, price £3:00. On the door £4:00 or £3:50 with UB40/NUS/pension book. Be there early or miss it! - - - (paid ad) International Co-operative Day Fall-Out Theatre presents: THE GALAXY'S GUIDE TO SURVIVAL The Facts and Folly of the Nuclear Arms Race Where? The Progress Theatre Tickets £1 The Mount (50p unwaged) Christchurch Road Reading obtainable from: When? Saturday Acorn Bookshop 30th November Co-op Living BANC contacts Time? 8.00pm Co-op People who care CRS - - - LETTERS Dear Red Rag, With respect to Don Pedro and his critique of the Reading Highway Strategy, the forecasts which show 3600 vehicles per peak hour flowing along the propose four lane option for the 400 metres of Caversham Road between Vastern Road and Richfield Avenue, as part of the Cross Town Route, are deceptive, conservative and based on arbitrary date, which is criminal given the seriousness of the issue. 3600 vehicles reflects a decision to restrain vehicular growth in the 1908's to 20%, even though 50% is the expectected growth if such restraints prove ineffectual; and if there is 50% growth there will be 5000 (approx.) vehicles using the 400 metre stretch per peak hour. There will be bottleneck congestion because the Berkshire County Council do not have a credible integrated transport strategy with which to bring about such growth limits. This will lead to emergency debates in the Environmental Committee of the B.C.C. or. re-opening the Cardiff Road link issue - which involves demolitions on Cardiff Road or behind it through the back-gardens (more exactly) and York Road. If you live on Caversham Road, the only option you have left, apart from evacuation, is to spray the cars with a metal-eating enzyme, as they crawl past back to suburban etcetcraville. Situationist etc. - Box 2001 Herpes I am shooting into total darkness by writing this letter. I don't know if there is a need for this sort of group, and if there is a need, I don't know if people will have the courage to come forward and admit to it. I may be stepping on someone else's toes - if I am, tell me and I'll shut up (but if there is such a group you should publicise yourselves better). I have had herpes for a little over a year. When I realised that I had it, I was struck by total panic: I didn't know where to go, or who to turn to. Obviously I went to the Special Clinic for help, but I needed something more than the clinical tests and results, facts and figures I was given. I needed another human being to talk to, who knew what I was going through, and to know I wasn't a solitary, dirty freak - which was how I felt at the time. I'm no expert, doctor or councellor. All I can offer is a point of contact and possibly a roof under which we could share coffee and chat, each others herpes and company. If you feel you could help comfort anyone else by your experience, or if you're in the early days of confusion, guilt or panic, contact me. Isn't it time something good came out of all the unpleasantness? Claire. Box 50, c/o Acorn Books Dear Red Rag, We would like to bring to your attention the fact that the National Front have now established a branch in Reading. Its inaugural meeting was held at the New Inn, Oxford Rd (supposedly unknown to the publican) in September. This has, not surprisingly co-incided with increasing reports of racist graffitti and attacks in the area. Chomly Rd and Body Rd have been identified as having NF activists living in them with subsequent harassment of local Asian families, NF Stickers have been appearing around town - some with razor blades behind them (so beware!). There have been reports of NF gatherings around the station and in the Hexagon on Saturday lunchtime. In the light of this, we think it is important to keep tabs on what is going on. We would like to collect information on 1. local attacks 2. where the NF live and 3. the names of any pubs they meet in, with the aim of organising to stop NF activists in the area. Should you have any information or wish to get involved in setting up a local anti-racist / anti-facist group then contact us via Acorn Bookshop. They must be smashed before they have a chance to grow. Brada and Phil Box 8 Acorn Bookshop 17 Chatham St, Reading Read Ragge, Re thoughts on Paradise. Yep, the Paradise isn't up to the standard of the Majestic or University but: 1. The Paradise doesn't charge you for benefit gigs - the management seem OK about just taking bar profits (yeah - £1:10 for a Special Brew is a lot, but that's the entertainment industry). Lots of venues don't do this. 2. Yep, the club is basic, but when the lights are down and the band's on, does it really matter? Who needs palatial surroundings? 3. Much more relevant is the question of why the Paradise is the 'only' venue for benefit gigs. Not that the club is anything but a commercial venture itself. Does the capitalist music business not make enough profit to warrant more over-priced watering holes in the town? The Man whose head exploded Dear Red Rag, A small (not really so small) cavil against the otherwise wonderful Reading Between the Lines. The illustration chosen for the 'Third World' section is in line with the, unfortunately, prevalent (and often media inspired) notions of the third world, as undifferentiated, starving, and helpless. Many of the causes of food problems (and many others) of the so-called third world, are the west's policies; far more money is made by us in Latin America, Africa and Asia, than we send in aid, and we consume vast amounts of their food (and much of their other resources). The term Third World, is, in itself demeaning and such illustrations are even more so, to the point of racism, particularly when the previous edition had an excellent intro on now the West lived off the South's backs. Tim Hill Dear Rag As you can see (elsewhere in this issue) Veggie Dining is happening again. There are enough people to do the first one, but if anyone wants to get involved on future occasions, then put your name on the rota in Acorn Bookshop, or leave a note in 49J at Acorn, or phone Jonathan on Reading 599969. - - - RED RAG COLLECTING TINS Acorn, 17 Chatham Street Elephant Off-license, Derby Street Harvest Wholefoods, Harris Arcade, Friar St. Rag Doll, London Street Pop Records, 72 Kings Road Eurofoods, Crown Colonnade, Cemetery Junction - - - HENGE 86 Stonehenge is waiting for you. The Stonehenge 86 Campaign kicked off on schedule at the inaugural meeting on 14 Oct. Member Groups are so far: Polytantric (Treasury), Green CND, The New Instant, Streatham Action Group, Red Ice, Camden Road Crazies, Convoy, The Warped Ones, Green Road Show, SNOW, Pyramid Stage, Kingston Anarchists. On that same day the government called a morning meeting with festival groups, offering limited access to the Stones at midsummer on a ticket basis. The festival groups said that Stonehenge 86 festival is essential to any further talks and asked for a legal site. The meeting with the government was adjourned till 11 Nov (11 am) - same day as the next meeting of the Campaign. The Campaign meeting rejected the offer of tickets or structure of the Ritual or a limit to numbers attending and demanded that charges and injunctions be dropped, that the 86 Stonehenge Festival should go ahead in June, that in the case of any agreement being reached it would have to be on paper and signed by lawyers for the Festival, and that negotiations are finally resolved on 11 Nov. The purpose of the Campaign is to establish Stonehenge 86 Free Festival. The Proposal to blockade NATO bases on Salisbury Plain in June 86 was adjourned to the meeting on the 11 Nov. It is important that Campaign reps and festival groups attend both meetings on the 11 Nov: 11 am at English Heritage 23 Saville Row London W1, 7pm Campaign mtg at 99 Torriano Ave London NW5. The next Campaign meeting after that is on the 9 Dec, same address. Donations: If you are making a donation use as seperate cheque/PO and cross it "Stonehenge 86 Campaign" (Account No: 0204314) Lloyds, Kings Cross, London). Makes it easier for the Treasury. Get fit - go for it. - - - VEGGIE DINING IS BACK RCU 4-6 East St 8pm Fri 15 Nov Tickets at Acorn £2:50 waged £2 unwaged Cooks for next time needed. Phone 599969. - - - CID TRAIL CHRONIC MOLE (an underground report) Is Unwise Joe an RBWL Agent? Thames Valley CID have set their super-sleuths to work over the past fortnight since the Chronic's star reporter gave a 50% boost to the sales of Reading's most subversive Guide. The flatfeet are plodding in Smut's direction. Why was Reading's greatest newsagent mentioned twice in Unwise's front page non-story (have some sympathy for a news editor short of news)? Those who are old enough to remember the Shrewsbury Pickets' trial will recall that you do not even have to meet together in the same place to be "conspirators". Could Joe (?Uncle Joe), Smuts and the anonymous RBWL subversives be "conspiring" to promote the truth about Reading? Part 2 Official Secrets Act applies. Arrest the lot. (I've now decodified it. Unwise Joe is a Russian spy - a RooBWL agent??) - - - GREENHAM FOOD VAN. A NOTICE TO ALL LAST SEASON'S HELPERS Merle Mindel (Tel Ascot 22877) has announced that the van is ready for another winter of regular food runs to the women of Greenham. These will probably be starting up again in November, although at the moment the women have yet to confirm that they wish this service to continue. A rota has been drawn up based on last year's with a provisional starting date of November 1st. All previous contacts will be receiving new info very shortly. Hopefully the four Reading groups that operated so successfully will be able to come together again in some form. Please inform Merle as soon as possible about any change in circumstance. Reading is looking for a new co-ordinator. Any volunteers? Once again, if you would like to help contact Merle, or last winter's co-ordinator, Val (Reading 483416) who will be able to pass on a few hints and tips. - - - WELL PREPARED The Australian Army has bought 541,000 condoms to protect its guns, including those on tanks. A defence spokesman said they were "understood to be an effective means of water-proofing." Guardian Oct 18th (Something about stopping your weapon going rusty) - - - EVENTS Monday 11th November Women's Centre, Abbey St - vocal workshop, 8pm. Come along & explore your voice - the group wants to expand. Anarchists meet in the Dove (off Rupert St), 8pm. Reading Cycle Campaign, The Sun, 8pm. Tel 598506. Reading Centre for the Unemployed, East St (RCU hereafter) - bike maintenance 10-12, linoprinting 10-12, sign language 2-4. 596639 Tami / Alan. USA veterans day. Justice for black people - demo / march from Brockwell Park in Brixton (11.30) to Hyde Park. End racist violence. Tuesday 12th November Red Rag benefit gig at the Paradise Club, 112 London St - funk & dance night with Beat & the Devil and Funktion at the Junktion. £2 / £1 for excellent entertainment. 1st band 9pm. West Berks Co-op Development Assoc. - open meeting, RCU, 8pm. Sutton Centre, Crescent Rd - course in bedsit cookery(!!), 1pm. Berks Anti-Nuclear Campaign meeting, St Giles Hall, 8pm - why nuclear defense is inappropriate for Europe. Women's Centre, meetings at 6.30pm about The Future. Karen 596639. Also women's dance group, 10.30-12noon. Wednesday 13th November Women's day at RCU: performance group 1-3, confidence building 10-12, your rights as women 1-2.30. All free, creche available. Karen / Tami 596639. Reading National Trust - trip to Aldershot Garrison, for sightseeing & tea. £4:75. Phone Farnborough 545859. Thursday 14th November Wokingham Women's Group, 1a Milton Rd, Wokingham: 'Women's Health' meeting 8.15. Phone 791355. Basic VHS workshops, 1.30-4.30, free. Arthur Legge Commmunity Arts Centre, Wolsey Rd (opposite Clifton Arms). Play the Star-Trek game and meet media stars!! Socialist Workers - Wellington Arms, Whitley St 8pm. 596724. RCU - wildlife garden, 1-3, also creative writing. 596639. Friday 15h November 6th International Video Festival starts at South Hill Park, Bracknell. Details Bracknell 484123. The return of Veggie Dining! Yeah!! (See ad for details.) RCU at 8. Photography course, 2-4 Arthur Legge Arts Centre, Wolsey Rd. Saturday 16th November Christian Socialists - 'The Christian & involvement in the peace movement' 8pm, St Giles Church Hall, Southhampton St. Woodley Hill House, Earley - an introduction to transactional analysis, all day for a meme £5:85. Seriously! Women's Centre, Abbey St - 10-12 performance group, 12-2 Centre is open. All women welcome. Karen 596639 / Janet 581890. South Hill Park - video festival continues. Well worth going to. Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square - Christmas bazaar, 10am. Sunday 17th November Video festival - last day. West Berks ramblers go to Crowthorne. Details Bracknell 429048. Monday 18th November Anarchists meet in the Dove 8pm. Vocal workshop, Women's Centre, Abbey St - 8pm. Come along!! RCU courses as last Monday. Why isn't your bloddy event in here, eh? Tuesday 19th November Women's Centre planning meeting 6.30. More bedsit cookery at Sutton Centre, Crescent Rd, 1-3. Wednesday 20th November Women's day at RCY. Activities as last week - details from Karen / Tami 596639. Ashmead School - illustrated talk on restoring the Kennet & Avon Canal. £1:60 / 60p. 7.30-9.30pm. Thursday 21st November Red Rag editorial - phone 868488 for where: 7.30ish. All very welcome! Socialist Workers, Wellington Arms, Whitley St, 8pm, 596724. Video workshop at Arthur Legge Commmunity Arts Centre, Wolsey Rd, Caversham. 1.30-4.30 free. Wildlife garden group at RCU, 1-3pm. Friday 22nd November Women's Centre, Abbey St - bring food & drink for a party, starting 8pm. All women welcome. Kendrick School, London Rd - Dennis Skinner MP & Labour's great hopes for Reading. 7.30pm. Saturday 23rd November Cow gum & scalpel blade party, aka pasting up Redde Ragge: 7 Christchurch Gardens from 11ish onwards, 868488 for details. Bring cassettes & drink. Gay & lesbian celebration at the Horse and Barge, Duke St., from 8pm. 80p raffle ticket. Details from Acorn 584425. Women's Centre, Abbey St - performance group 10-12, 12-2 the centre is open. All women welcome. Christmas bazaar, village hall in Hurst. 2.15pm. Shire Hall, Shinfield Park Wargame '85, 10-6pm. "Games", modelling, trade stands, etc. £1:25. Also tomorrow. Sunday 24th November Red Rag collating / folding / distribution. We need you! Even more than usual! Phone 595605 to volunteer. West Berks ramblers take on Kennet floodplain - phone 414873 for details. Campaign against benefit cut meet at RCU, 6.30pm. Monday 25th November 1st general meeting of the Well Woman Association, 10 Gun St, at 8pm. All women welcome. Note: welcome to Paul the new Events person. Tel. no. on cover. Cheers Mark for doing this ish. - - - SMALL ADS (FREE) "Radical Chic" Red Rag postcards from Acorn Bookshop - try onbe and see the difference. Wanted - 2 people to share house. Phone Stewart on Reading 483183, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Kings Lynn 828253 Sat, Sun, Mon. For sale / swap? Sofa (3-seater), 2 arm-chairs, in excellent condition £45 - will split. Phone Reading 667085. Wanted Ad: Desperately needed! Cheap van. Must be running and roadworthy with MOT. Otherwise condition unimportant. If you can help, contact Greenham Womyns Peace Camp (Yellow Gate) or phone Kate Storey on Henley 577258. Wanted - Carpets, in reasonable condition, no larger than 10ft. by 14ft. Second-hand sofa and 2 arm-chairs. Contact Mike Osbourne care of University, Welfare Office, RUSU, Whiteknights, Reading. Wanted - Cheap old sofa, phone Chris on Twyford 345636. Acorn needs your old plastic carrier bags and any size paper bags that you can spare. Please participate in this wonderful re-cycling venture and help save a tree and oil well. A reminder to arty local 'anarchists' (of any sort) that there is still time to rush your contribution to 'Reading Anarchist Anal Review 1985' to Box 19, Acorn Bookshop. And will all those who have promised, please deliver. C. Hanger - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1985/1985-11-10.txt#3 $