RED RAG GURDIP KAUR We Will Not Mourn Her Death In Silence Crown Court trial at Winchester of Harbax Singh for the murder of Gurdip Kaur Women will be picketing the court on Mon 26th and will be filling the public gallery for the duration of the trial. We are campaigning to achieve a number of things. a) To persuade the D.P.P to investigate the case against Gurbax Singh (Gurdip Kaur's husband, who is walking free at the moment) b) To bring a private prosecution if a public one is not forthcoming c) To highlight the reality of domestic violence & to encourage people to recognise the seriousness of the issue: male violence against women. d) To show that the attitudes of the public & legal institutions are failing to safeguard women. We call on all women to show support - - - FILM AND VIDEO GUIDE Fri 30 jan Fool for love (15), SHP 7.45 & 10pm US 1985 dir Robert Altman 107m. Adaptation of Sam Sheppard play. Angst misery, intensity & downbeat country & western music (til sun 1st feb) Sat 31 jan Fool for love. Introducing video course SHP also Sun 10-5.30 £45 (concs availible) Sun 1 feb Fool for love Introducing video Mon 2 feb The Hitcher(l8), SHP 7.45pm. US dir Robert Harman 97min. Scary. Tue 3 feb The Hitcher Wed 4 feb The Hitcher Desperately Seeking Susan(15) RFT 8pm dir Susan Seidelman US 1985 103m Madonna in screwball comedy with bizarre plot. Bulmershe lunchtime video screening Thur 5 feb Desperately seeking susan Video & Art, SHP video screening 7.45pm. Fri 6 feb Peppermint Freedom(PG), RFT 8pm W.Ger 1984 b&w & col s/titles dir Marianne Rosenbaum. 112 min. A small girl trying to come to terms with the world of adult half truths, set in post war germany. Mona Lisa (18) SHP 7.45 Br 1986 dir Neil Jordan, 104min. A powerful thriller with Bob Hoskins as a chauffeur to an elegant prostitute set in the seamier side of london. Video Course RCU 2-4pm free to unwaged Sat 7 feb Mona Lisa 7.45 & 10.30 Pop Promo video course SHP £45 (concs available). Sun 8 feb Mona lisa 7.45 pop promo video course Mon 9 & tue 10 feb Mona Lisa Wed 11 feb Mona lisa Caravaggio (18) RFT GB 1986 dir Derek Jarman 93 min. Interpretation of the life of the painter, beautiful images. Bulmershe l/time video Thur 12 feb He died with his eyes open (18) (On ne meurt que deux fois) RFT 8pm Fr 1985 S/titles dir Jaques Deray 106m Suspense filled police story with bizarre plot. A love in Germany(l5) SHP 7.45pm W.Ger/Fr 1983 dir Andrzej Wadja 107m S/titles. An illicit love affair between a polish PoW & a young german shop-keeper is destroyed by small town petit-bourgeoise. Fri 13 feb Otello (PG) SHP 7.45 US 1986 dir Franco Zeffireli 126m Verdi's opera lovingly transferred to film. RCU video course 2-4 RFT Reading film theatre, Whiteknights SHP South hill park arts centre, Bracknell RCU Reading centre for the unemployed 4-6 East st Regular video & photography courses at SHP - - - CHECK OUT YOUR PHONE BILL Rip-off Or Blunder? It would be interesting to know if anyone else has had this problem with British Telecom. The first time it happened to me it was explained away as an unusual error, but it has just happened again, and I now suspect that there is a procedure at Telecom which inadvertently (well, let's be charitable for the moment) rips people off. The danger about it is that it does appear to be a procedure, so there may be an awful lot of people paying out. It goes like this... You start off by being a Telecom subscriber, or whatever they call it; anyway you use a phone. Then you change address, and you want to stay connected to a phone. It doesn't seem to matter if you want to take your number with you or not, the next step is the same, you pay £10, which is variously called a "Takeover fee" or an arrangement fee (or something similar). The important thing is that you have to pay in advance or the work will not be carried out. OK, fair enough - well, let's be charitable for another moment. You will move house and at some point you will then get a bill doing some extraordinary arithmetic gymnastics. I'm sure that this is not designed deliberately to confuse (like this sentence), but then I'm still being charitable. Basically, you are refunded the rental that you had paid in advance on your old phone. You are then charged rental for the same period, but on your new phone. Isn't it good of Telecom to tell you this, because if they didn't, only they would ever know the difference - you still pay the same rental, of course. But this is the good bit... the bill will also have an item called "Takeover fee" for which you are charged £10. Yes, it is the same £10 that you have already paid, in advance. In fact, if you remember, you had to pay it in advance in order to have the work done in the first place. The thing is that those thick idiots at Telecom have failed to work out that you shouldn't have to pay twice for the same bit of work, and that they can't charge you after the work is done if they insist that you pay in full before they do the work in the first place. Prats! Whoops - I Just stopped being quite so bloody charitable. Now for this to happen to me once was unfortunate. But for it to happen twice in 12 months smacks of more than coincidence especially when I discover that a couple of friends have had the same problem. Is Telecom systematically ripping off those who have the misfortune to use their phones? Are people spotting the rip-off or are we all busy stuffing money into the pockets of those people who bought the company from us? If you have been a victim of this, write to the Rag and say so - we need to know! - - - HOUSE TO LET 15 Armour Road, Tilehurst Very nice house - very economical Only 213 pcm - for 3-4 people. Available immediately!!! 23.1.87 Ring Sue - 411947 - - - ORIGINAL ROCKERS We come fe teach you little education We come fe teach you little education We no walk pon street a make bad tension A mug an old lady fe she little pension That a the foolish intention of a hooligan & you can't beat the system inna England One love & greetings to each and everyone, back in tune to al Original Rockers, soul & reggae in the Thames Valley Area. Now settle & have fun, seen? Al champion Sound Unity HiPower play their first dance of 87 at the High Wycombe Multiracial Centre, with Reading youths Stalingrad & Confunktion: "a foolish man builds his house pon sand but Unity build it on a foundation we come fe teach you little education" Miss it - blame your-self - the date 31 January. And as if that' s not enough, dubmaster Jah Shaka is at the Paradise Club, 112 London St. on Thursday 5 Feb; he'll be reveal - the commandments of dub on March 5 & April 2 too: check it! Hear the youths in a prophesy: because we can't take no more of her policy- We're tired of living here so in a poverty sixteen years dem spent a educate me- just to have me a waste inna society you go a job centre - a pure fantasy. (Unity) Saturday 7 Feb There's a Reading soul and reggae session at the Paradise with Stalingrad, African Roots, Cosmic Crew, Confunktion and Timmy John. Then it's all quiet in Reading town, while Manfronix play the Town & Country Club, Kentish Town, on 10 Feb, and then Unity General meet Sir Coxsone Outernational in a dubclash at Brixton Town Hall, Friday 13 Feb - unlucky for some, but there's also level vibes in Reading that night. Central (36/42) is the venue for the Twinkle Brothers and Jah Shaka, pure loveliness inna de dance. High Wycombe may have recovered from Unity by February 14, for a Valentine dance with Masterammers and Stereophonic, for a local netball team. Otherwise - all quiet for Valentine's Pnight. "Now me a go touch down in a little politic - The leader of the country, she name Margaret She handle England like a supermarket Certain things she a talk is diabolic" (Unity) Back on soul-less soul for soul-less Britain '87 style, Loose Ends (No 1 soul band) play the Majestic on Tues 17 Feb, but it's about time to sign off 'til next time. Look out for what's on at the West End Centre, Aldershot on 19th Feb - a day for youths with 2 workshops in' scratching and 2 on graffitti, with an under-18's disco in the evening; why not in Reading?? And don't forget to tune in to the Ranking Miss P, Radio One 11-midnight on Sundays - bad! Radio London have changed style a bit (94.9 FM): Tony Williams (Reggae, Hockers FM) 8-10pm Fridays, Fresh start to the week (electro rap, hiphop) 10-midnight Mondays, Power nite FM (upfront black sounds) 10-midnight Fridays. - - - EVENTS Thur 29 Jan Lesbian and Gay Youtch Movement meeting: "Take on the Queerbashers!" in support of the Wombourne 12. Red Rose Centre Islington, 129 Seven Sisters Rd N7 7.30pm Sat 31 Jan Bloody Sunday Demo - Sheffield, assemble 1pm Carlisle St (a long distance to go!) Book sale organised by United Nations Association, Waylen Hall, Waylen St Reading 10am onwards Sun 1 Feb Berkshire Conservation Volunteers require helpers to participate in sycamore clearing at Curtis Wood, Tilehurst. Tel: Maurice Budden 8974034 if the phones are still working. Wed 4 Feb "The Wobblies - the story of the Industrial Workers of the World" lunchtime video at Bulmershe College, Woodlands Avenue, 12.45 lecture theatre free. Sun 8 Feb Berkshire Conservation Volunteers require helpers for heathland work at Owlsmoor Bog. Tel 874034 Tue 10 Feb Berkshire Anti Nuclear Campaign action meeting, Friends Meeting House, Church St 8pm Wed 11 Feb "Plastic Bullets - the Deadly Trunch" made by an independent Irish TV unit to expose the RUC's Plastic Bullet policy which has killed adults and children. Lunchtime video 12.45 Bulmershe College, lecture theatre, free. Wow! So many exciting things happening Yawn! Send in your events or we will have to start making them up! That's it Erik * RR Events, Box 79, 17 Chatham St, Reading - - - CREATURE OF MILK AND TEARS? Statement: I am my fathers daughter. I strive to heroic ideals and deeds. What is woman? What am I as a woman. I want to be my father's hero, all I have done I have _done for him and yet, I can never be that man, his son. I am 38. I have no child, no mortgage, no partner, no I reason for living. Where do I go from here assuming I have another 40 years to live. Does this sound familiar to you? My sister is in similar place really and she has had three children. My friend had two, another friend three. It seems to have nothing to do with whether we have or have not tried to fulfill a woman's role in this life. The big void, that huge emptiness before each of us is to do with the fact that no viable role model has existed for us in our way forward as women. How could I grow up to be a woman when a woman was not respected by anybody. My mother was not someone I wanted to be like. She was trapped by her own lack of decision making and she was bitter and twisted. I understood, or do now, but could not follow that. I was the male hero in all the books I read for I could not identify with the female underdog. So I grew up a man. In my relationships I took a woman's passive role but was unfulfilled. I became an artist but it could equally have been secretary or teacher, still I was a man striving for a hero's life and denying that part of me that is or could be woman, all woman. In a way I guess my relationships were homosexual in that I, a man, was partnered with a man. Or was he a woman to my man And now when I have lost my youthful female sexual attractiveness and I'm not allowed to pretend to be a man any more, what do I go forward to? Haw do I develop the female potential in me- if I don't know what it is? By going back. Back more "than the 2000 years when the Christians were busy re-writing the Jewish books to fit their political purposes. The two stories of the birth of Jesus were written 100 years later and were different tries to fit Jesus into the lineage of David to dovetail with the prophecies of the old testament. Do you find it easy to read about Jesus being the Son of Man! I live in a world where women are encouraged not to give birth. I have made that decision myself. So devalued is the creative womb. At the same time male doctors strive to make the test tube baby without womens bodies. Whew! Back more than the 4000 years when the Levites were busy writing the books of the law of God for the other tribes of Israel. They understood that you have to lock women away in sexual exclusivity to one man if you are to know the father of a child so that you can pass property from father to son, in patrilineal succession. In the matrilineal societies around the Mediterranean at that time it didn't matter who the father was and equally didn't matter who a woman slept with, there was no need for restrictions on her sexual freedom. Biblical morality is based on the need to secure patrilineal succession. Back more than the 6000 years and the stories we have of the annual sacrifice of the king to the earth goddess, which I find a totally repulsive and unacceptable role-model for women. But these legends are a mythical representation of the drama of the take over of matrilineal societies by patrilineal societies. The story goes like this. The queen and goddess goes away from home and leaves her consort/son to care for the throne. She returns and finds that he has usurped her position, taking decisions that are not his to make. For the stability of her society She is forced to punish him with death, her own child or lover! She-sacrifices a man but it is his own responsibility. Right here we have the first divorcing of the understanding of responsibility for ones deeds. And you and I as women have suffered 6000 years because the deed was turned against her and all women. We were not evil women sacrificing men to the earth goddess we were mothers and women forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the community. Why do priests wear dresses? It is a relic of the time when the northern invaders were seeking power within the ruling circles of the temple. At that time only women could be priests, so the men in their bid for power castrated themselves and put on womens clothing! Back further. There are no records back further. I don't know the answers for sure yet but I think that the female power that has been feared and so buried these thousands of years is the concept of death and sacrifice as a good and a necessary part of life. Without it there can be no rebirth. Personal immortality is at odds with our nature. A plant seeds, grows, takes what is necessary for itself, its survival. It flowers, produces seeds and rots back to nourish the earth and the seed. Out of touch with this reality I have followed the heroic path our culture offers. It has taken me ever onwards seeking the grail but never finding it. Never to a flowering or a seeding. The concept is always individual, alone, special. It doesn't take account of the people who starve and die in this world while I am well fed and happy, chasing my dreams and ideals. I never have to face the cost of my freedom. It appears to me at this moment that soon I must acknowledge the fruit or seed of my heroic wanderings and return to my roots to begin to nourish by sharing what it is I have learned. Not like Jesus-Christ to speak out so that my words can be distorted and used for personal gain. But silently as an ordinary person, living and enjoying living. By being just another human person and just a woman. Morgaine - - - 10-WEEK COURSES FOR WOMEN Confidence Building/Assertiveness Starts 5th Feb 12.30-2.30 Thursdays RCU Creche More details Penny 6626466 Also How to Start Your Own Business 10-12 Thursdays RCU led Jeanie Balch 62979 - - - FILM & VIDEO COURSES Basic video Tues 7,30-9.30 (10weeks) Introducing video, 10-5.30, Sat 31st & Sun 1st. Basic Darkroom techniques 7.30-9.30, Tuesdays or Fridays Creative photography 7.30-9.30 Mondays or Thursdays Beginners Photography, Mondays Darkroom Workshop, Sat/Sun 24/25 All at South Hill Park, phone Bracknell 427272 for details. - - - Acorn Bookshop has been restocked with most of ARK HIVE CASSETTES catalouge. So, if there is anything missing from your collection get down there quick! - - - Dear Red Rag, I've been moved to write by the "Case for Euthenasia" piece in the last issue which I found patronising, inaccurate and self destructive; Patronising because it refers to those of us that read the Rag as "the residue of vaguely left/anarchist rabble" which I think is insulting in a paper which is about readers contributing. Inaccurate because it makes out the listings in the Rag are worse than those in the local papers or published by the council. There is no other folk music or reggae guide produced in the area, no comprehensive film and video guide, and a look at the Reading Rocket or Saturday Post gig guides yields next to no information about what's on even this weekend. Gay collective discos, video screenings veggie dinings, out of town gigs and benefit gigs do not get coverage anywhere else. And a look at the Council's "what's on around Reading" would show C.Hanger that the Events column in the Rag covers ground - "political" groups and meetings in particular - that the council will never publicise. Self destructive because the effect of C.Hanger's seemingly informed piece is to discourage people who read it from getting involved in the Rag: particularly with such a critical attitude seeming to come from the Rag, people won't write "because what I write isn't good enough / politically sound / what the Rag clique want to put in." Red Rag is a paper where people write in, so that's why I wrote this letter. I hope more, and not less people, will write things as well - I thought the last Rag had some really good articles in it by the way, things which are relevant but don't get printed (and so read) anywhere else. And the listings - which aren't the only reason I buy the Rag - are better than C.Hanger's piece suggests. Well, I felt I had to write in reply: it also seems to me that the more people who write about things, the better (even better) the Rag will be. love, Mark. - - - No. 6 Silver Street You thought it would never happen... but at long last... (even though the building work isn't quite finished)... (and we've still not packed)... The Women's Centre Collective... is thrilled to announce... THE FIRST EVER MEETING AT THE NEW WOMEN'S INFORMATION CENTRE! The next 'First of the Month' meeting (Sunday, 1st Feb, 8.00pm) will go down in history! Celebrate the first meeting at 6, Silver St by coming along, bringing your favourite tipple and a cushion to sit on (in case our chairs haven't got moved across town by then!) We hope to be brainstorming on what tasks need doing, staffing of the centre, what we're up to generally etc etc. If you're planning to get involved in any way with the new centre, you could find this useful. Or... if you'd rather work with your hands than your head, or fancy a bit of both, 6, Silver St is the place to be on Sunday afternoons from 12.30, 1st Feb for as many Sundays as we can keep it up. There should be plenty of activity - painting, cleaning, furniture moving, carpet laying, curtain hanging - whatever needs doing. It'll probably be chaotic, but it should be fun! The move has started! NB It looks like we could do with a few more women to help staff the new centre once it opens, particularly women to cover weekday days. Not in full-time paid work? Here's plenty of work for absolutely no pay! We don't know what the phone number will be, so please contact Lynette (661275) or Karen (482237) for more information. Regular Meetings (all women welcome) Tuesdays, 6.30pm, Women's Centre Collective 1st Feb, March, April etc "First of the Month'" (the one to come along to if you're interested but can't make it weekly or whatever) Sundays, 12.30, activity and busy-ness, All at 6, Silver St. Reading. - - - FOLK What is folk music, you ask, bewildered by the range that goes by that name in Reading these days. Not telling. But here's some more. Thurs 29: Pressgang Club at the Cap & Gown, Kings Rd: The Doonicans. Irish, energetic , young. Maidenhead (The Rose, King St) Paul Messers, popular singer / songwriter Oxford (The Radcliffe Arms) The Oyster Band. They had a massive audience heaving at Readifolk last week. Your correspondent somehow couldn't quite get into it all, but don't let that worry you. Everybody else liked it. Sat 31: Bracknell (South Hill Park Arts Centre, Cellar Bar) Blowzabella, who are apparently now a 5-piece & have lost their best tunesmith, in my opinion, but don't worry, they'll be grand. Bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, cittern, sax, fiddle, melodeon, shawm, whistles & drums. Unique. London (Town & Country Club, 9-17 Highgate Rd, Kentish Town, NW5) A special: Shirati Jazz from Kenya playing modern "benga" music based on traditional dance rhythms. 01/485/8262. Sun 1st Feb: Readifolk (The George, corner of Broad St) Crows. 4-piece band with an exceptional vocalist. More I know not, but definitely worth investigating. Farnham Maltings, on edge of Farnham town centre: The Guo Brothers from China playing flutes, percussion and the sheng with a delicacy and energy that can only be heard, not written about. And Jo-Ann Kelly, with Pete Emery, blues such as you don't get to hear it done, very often. A treat. Details 95/724638. Mon 2: Nettlebed (the Bull, High St) Phil Beer & Steve Knightley, featuring a set called "Tall Ships". Songs, tunes & narratives about wrecking. Tues 3 :Turk's Bottom Club at the Cap & Nightgown: Singers' Night. And very welcoming they are too. Oxford (St Paul's Arts Centre, Walton St) Christine Collister & Clive Gregson. £3:25/3:75. She's said to be an astounding singer, and he plays guitar & sings & writes the songs. Wed 4: Eversley Cross (Toad & Stumps pub): The Onan Brothers. Trio of young lefties doing their own stuff, very nifty & cute with it. Electric but subtle. Recommended. Thurs 5: Pressgang: The Tennessee Three (blues & country). Sat 7: Bracknell: Bonniec Shaljean, harp, keyboards & voice. Good reputation. Sun 8: Readifolk: Singer's Night. Now this might be shambolic and popular singer/songwriter matey or pretty slick depending on who turns up, and which committee member's running it. Mon 9: Nettlebed: Portway Pedlars. Traditional duo with accordion, played by the woman for a change! Long-established, polished & jolly. Tues 10: T's Bottom: Andy Lavery & Dave Fenner. Singer/musicians, it says. So singers aren't musicians, eh? Dave Fenner's pretty good, Andy Lavery I dunno. Thurs 12: Maidenhead: Roger Wilson. No I don't know what he does, but I don't think it's monologues. Pressgang: James Vada, a singer/songwriter and the thoroughly excellent Mark T with assorted Brickbats, which should include Tim Hill and Paul Hancock so we might get the Chinese stuff which is gorgeous. Not to speak of Mark's vocals and all the rest of it. £1 before 9.30, £1:50 after. Bar till late. Deserve a big crowd. Go! Sat 14: Bracknell. Valentine's night special. Should the cynics stay away? Sun 15: Readifolk: Adrian Legge. A guitarist who sounds like he's got 3 pairs of hands, they tell me. Mon 16: M'bed: John Kirkpatrick. Famed melodeonist, ex all kinds of combos, now with Brass Monkey. Be early. Right. Update on the situation in Oxford, where there's normally a very tasteful club on Tuesdays. The Collister/Gregson do on the 3rd is them; otherwise they're having regular sessions at the Jericho Tavern in Walton St until repairs start there. All a all vague, but the sessions will be good anyway. There are occasional big gigs eg The Oysters on the 29th, and forthcoming the Easy Club Feb 19th. They're also doing Aldershot on the 21st, at the West End Centre. Scottish Rhythm & Swing, their stuff, the singer a velvety version of Rick Gaughan and including "probably the most creative bodhran player on the scene today" (well, he can't be average, then, can he?). Also cittern, fiddle, guitars, bass & percussion. Also Oxford, apparently a very good folk music radio show goes out on Radio Oxford Wednesdays between 5 and 7pm. Called "Where there's Folk", with local fixtures & good music. I keep forgetting to listen but maybe I'll remember now! Anything else going on? The university worth checking for international stuff, like Greek bazouki hands and so on. Details of anything to Folk Thingy, Box (not PO Box) 79, 17, Chatham St, Reading or ring Liz on 53437. P.S. The forthcoming attraction is an unbelievable combination of Rory McLeod (of the manic harmonica and ace songs and charisma) with wonderful, original un-sold-out alternative in the best sense of the word comedians Tony Allen & Roy Hutchins who don't belong on a folk page but what the hell at South Hill Park Feb 20th, a Friday. - - - AIDS & THE NEW MORALITY Public Meeting Venue: The Friends Meeting House, London street, Reading. Date: Thursday 5th Feb 8.00p.m. Socialist Workers Party - - - READING RAPE CRISIS LINE 55577 The Line is Now Open Sun 7.30pm - 10.30pm and Wed 7.00pm - 10.00pm (An Anafone will take your calls at all other times) - - - BLOO GATE IS BACK Fri Jan 2nd 1987 Arrived by train. Walked up Pine Hill from Newbury (with Tesco trolleys - very useful)... met other women who came by car with all the gear & Blue Gate women who were visiting - pleased to see us, so decided to stay. Food Van arrived, fed us as well as women at Yellow, Orange & Violet... Visits form other camp women. Passing motorists shouted out "Whores", "Slags" & sometimes "Slags", "Whores" (such imagination!) (Men stopped in car & watched us - we didn't know if they were vigilantes or what - we asked them to leave - they did.) Sat Long lie in... Breakfast, ingenious use of trolley as toasting grill. Settled down to busy day of doing crossword puzzles & critical analysis of Eastenders & Mary Poppins (wasn't she wonderful!). Decorating session - Xmas streamers & painting pretty patterns on the concrete boulders. The squaddies got very excited and were jumping up and down on top of their sentry box and shouting to us "write - we love Maggie!" We didn't quite like their taste... This pleasant artistic venture was shamefully interrupted by the Boys in Blue (very dark Blue it is too) (not to be confused with the women from Blue of course). This was the cause of Mrs. Fascist or Mrs. Councillor who lives on the corner spying on us with a hot line to Newbury Police Station. Cooked a good solid veg stew - drank lots of whisky and hannaed our hands and feet (amazing what you do with no TV). Sun Rude awakening... Eviction Bailiffs came and woke us at 9.00ish - half asleep dragged stuff across road - lost wood & Xmas decor! - Made a fire after they had gone - started to make breakfast - no such luck - Bailiffs again, with fire extinguisher - made fire again after foraging in the woods - lazy day relaxing by the fireside. Greenham Support Group meetings in Reading Mon evenings fortnightly 8.00pm Next meeting 2nd Feb New Womens Centre 6 Silver Street (We're going to stay at Blue Gate every month. For more details come to meetings or phone 669694 Karen / Laragh) - - - WORLD EDUCATION BERKSHIRE This article has been sparked off by a comment "no-one knows anything about WEB except those who know people working there", and also, that those people who coordinate the Rag often end up having to write at least one article! So here goes - my own interpretation of working there on the community programme, and soon to go on the dole again. WEB is a development education project based in Slough. It aims to bring to schools and the wider community in Berkshire a deeper understanding of issues which lie outside the confines of standard education. The basic underlying philosophy behind all our work, is that since development occurs both locally and globally, there are links and parallels between the lives of people here and in other countries. So development encourages people to look at their own lives and attitudes, working together to achieve change at local, community and international levels. We analyse issues in terms of power from an anti-racist and anti-sexist perspective. Work at WEB for me mainly involves planning and facilitating workshops for various groups, and trying to overcome the constraints that anyone working on a community programme funded project finds. The projects that we offer for workshops (for whoever wants to take them up) are: Women's Work, Women's Role Worldwide, which challenges the accepted ideas of women's roles in society and in work. The Men's Project attempts to show how men also lose out through gender sterotyping and explores positive ways to respond to issues raised by the women's movement. The Black Studies Project challenges stereotypical ideas and attitudes presenting a positive image of Black people. Images of the World - could cover anything you wanted it to. But basically it examines: * What our images are of the world, * Where that information comes from, * Are these sources realistic or bias? * If bias, how and why? * Who controls what and in whose interests? * An informed analysis of the issues, * Change - what and how? The areas we have focussed on in the "Images" work have included, the famine in Africa, processes which create poverty nationally and globally, issues related to South Africa and the whole debate of charity or solidarity. Future Courses: Women's Work, Women's Role Worldwide Mon. 16th - Fri. 21st Feb. 10.00 - 1.00pm At WEB, The Haymill Centre, Burnham Lane, Slough. A course for women and men trade unionists. Funded by the TGWU Mon. 2nd March for 6 weeks 9.30 - 11.30 am At Coley Park Community Centre, Reading. Creche facilities available. Funded by the WEA These courses aim to explore the relationships between development issues and women's lives, personally locally and globally. We have also just started thinking about introducing AIDS as a focus for getting across our ideas, because it has received such a high profile in the media, and because there is an urgent need to dispell the myths and misconceptions, and challenge the prejudices, fear and ignorance which have arisen out of the coverage. It is a good opportunity to get people interested in issues affecting other parts of the world and linking these to their own lives, where they might otherwise not see the relevance. It will also be useful to give ideas and support to other people or bodies who are having to tackle these issues. The diagram shows some of the many different areas which can be explored in relation to AIDS. For any more information, contact The Haymill Centre, Burnham Lane, Slough. tel. Burnham 67401 - - - LIVE AND DIRECT Thurs 29 Jan Well, things is still quiet in Reading, with a new year gloom hanging around at times. Live & direct brings you the nuggets and the gravel from the Reading pan. Any info most gratefully received,: c/o Box 19, 17 Chatham St, Reading. Have fun(!). See also Original Rockers (soul & reggae) and Music for Folk (folk and things). Fri 30 Jan Hex - Friday Night Is Musick Right. A Radio 2 do; live broadcast by the BBC concert orchestra. Yes, Reading is seen as a Radio Two Town. Groo! Paradise - offensive shitty little psychobilly boys The Coffin Nails and the equally repulsive White Speed (no 1 skinhead band in Reading?) £1:50 before 10.30, £2:50 otherwise. The Paradise are making lots of improvements at the moment, including getting regular security on the door. Will this mean that NF scum aren't allowed in? Hope so. Cap & Gown - Second Emotion: get in before 10.30! 2am bar £1:50 Sat 31 Jan Happy birthday Nap!! xx Sun 1 Feb Basingstoke Caribbean Club, Priestley Rd - The Plot present The Queerboys + local support 9-late £2:50. Mon 2 Feb Tues 3 Feb Rock nite at the Out of Town Club, Padworth. The sort of thing Dave Lee Travis would go for. University - regular visit from hypnotist Peter Zenner, who will attempt the impossible by practising mind control over the academic elites. SHP - jazz in the Cellar Bar with Pete Allen's Cellar Bar 5: trad 8pm £2:50/£1:50 concessions. Weds 4 Feb William Morris Club, Wimbledon Broadway - Hungerford roots and creation rockers Military Surplus - a Reading area band worth going to see out of town. Fri 6 Feb Paradise - Rubber Rubber Vortex (moderne stooges) Er kiss the idol? 9.30-1.30 £1:50 before 10.30 otherwise £2:50. Go & check out the new look venue. Polish Club, London Rd. - Jive Alive (blues, tex/mex & all kinds of other musics) & the Larkins (rock n'roll party time) £2 , 8.30-11.30. Entry via Eldon Terrace. A new venue, worth supporting. Cap & Gown - Jo Jo Namoza & support. Good frenzied manic stuff. Not Talking Heads Soundalikes. Supported Robyn Hitchcock at the Majestic recently. Get in by 10.30. Sat 7 Feb Red Rag copy deadline. Well what would you like to see in the Rag? Your contribution is not going to be ripped apart by holier than thous & not printed - the organisation Red Rag doesn't work like that - have a go! Unemployment Centre 4/6 East st, Conspiracy all-nighter with Ozric Tentacles (far out imperial space man 7, Webcore (Omm) Another Green World (speak for themselves) Er Ring. Oh & the Snorkmaster Grobbie sound system playing lots of Shaka, Pablo, Mad Proffessor & other dubsounds & Videos. Tickets only from Acorn, Listen & Pop Records. See you there & food too. Doors open 7p.m. Eek!! Cap & Gown - Beyond the Blue. Sun 8 Feb Basingstoke Caribbean Association - Priestley rd. The Plot present Dass Psych-Oh Rangers (indie chart toppers) 9.30-late £2:50. Mon 9 Feb Tues 10 Feb More Big Mans Rock at the Out of Town club Padworth. University - a band, though no-one in town knows cos we all cause trouble don't we? (or so the poison dwarf Vice Chancellor thinks) Majestic - Durapys Rusty Nuts - a rock institution? SHP - Jazz in the Wilde Theatre with Jan Garbarek, saxaphone, bass, drums & synthesizer. Eurojazz Supergroup. £4/£3 concessions Wed 11 Feb Red Rag hits the streets Thurs 12 Feb Fri 13 Feb Bleedin great... Rag week at the Uni (drinking & puking for charity) what a jolly jape-lurches off with a gig. They are still trying to book some dropped out hasbeen. Avoid. Paradise - local metalhead Predatur, unless there's a grand reopening do by the venue... Fuzzbox have been mentioned... Cap & Gown - local cult legends the Mudcats - garage blues in a fine style. Worth going to see get in by 10.30 £1:50 2a.m bar. Sat 14 Feb Ah the everglowing sunrise of lurve. Happy Valentines Day to you all. University - Valentines Disco Rag eve. Central Club 36/42 London st. Reggae in a roots culture style with the Twinkle Brothers & mighty Jah Shaka sound system. Unemployment Centre 4/6 East st. Reading's Gay Collective monthly disco 9-2 a.m. details from Acorn Bookshop 17 Chatham St. Cap & Gown - Bazooka Joe. See you at the Twinkle Brothers gig! Sun 15 Feb Mon 16 Feb Groo - the Rag week trail of vomit continues with Showaddywaddy. Yep get me my drapes Jeeves and don't spare the neon dye. Hideous. Look out for Rory McLeod (makes Billy Bragg look like a piece of cheese) at South Hill Park on 20th Feb; It Bites at the Majestic on the 24th and an indie evening there on the 25th with the Wedding Present & Close Lobster... rock Lobster!! Hmm.... and Military Surplus at the Paradise on the 27th with the Particles, also the Larkins on the 20th at the Cap & Gown. Info * Paradise: Paradise Club 112 London St. Reading, Tel 576847. Disabled access good except for 2 steps down into the bar. * Majestic: Majestic, Caversham Rd, Reading. Tel 586093. Be careful of the door staff. Loony dress restrictions at times. * Cap & Gown: Kings Road, Reading, tel 586006. Gigs are downstairs, bad access for disabled. * SHP: South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell; tel 0344 484123. Gigs are in the Cellar Bar, so disabled access is not good. But there may be a side entrance. * University: Students Union, tel 860222, ask for Ents Office for info. Good disabled access as there is a ramp from one level to another. * HEX - Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading tel 591591. Good access for disabled via basement level car park. Very bad from upper entrance. xx Mark 666354 - - - Red Rag, Box 79, 17 Chatham Street Reading, Berks:- Advertising Rates 3 for 10 by 6cm £6 for 10 by 12cm 'Small ads' are still free. 4 ads in consecutive issues are £2:50 / £5 each. For more details: Simon on Reading 666354. Outlets: * Acorn Bookshop * Blue Moon Arts & Crafts (Emporium) * Reading Univ. SU (Ken's Shop) * Bulmershe S.U. * Harvest Wholefoods (Traders) * Pan Bookshop (Butts Centre) * Pop Records (Yield Hall Place) * UB Cycles (London Street) Next issue Co-ordinator - Acorn Box 79 Copy deadline 6pm Sat 7th Feb Red Rag Subscriptions Send £4 for 6 months supply of Red Rag. Cheques payable to Red Rag - - - VEGGIE DINING MEETING 19/1/87 Only five people managed to struggle through the snow to attend the Veggie Dining future prospects meeting. However those of us who were there made an amazing discovery... how Mike's squeeky tape player was cured by talcum powder!!! Apart from this we also talked about problems with venues for Veggie Dining. "e might well need to look for another regular venue. One suggested hall is being investigated. Have you got any suggestions? Money was also discussed (it always is isn't it?). There are rumours that Veggie Dining is broke. This isn't too much of a worry as one meal can pay for itself through the sale of tickets, but we will need to acquire some more equipment soon as things have been disappearing at a steady rate (cutlery, pans). It seems that we didn't discuss much, because I have an empty note pad at present! - empty stomach as well!! Who's going to feed me next? You will be getting a second chance to bring your views and ideas, offers of help etc. on Monday the 9th. of February at 19 George Street, 8.00pm for 8. 30pm. See you there. Veronique. - - - The Conspiracy presents Sat Feb 7th '87 7pm onwards GRAND ALL-NIGHTER Lights, bar, food Featuring live Ring Another Green World Webcore Ozric Tentacles Snorkmaster Grobbie sound system videos All at Reading Centre for the Unemployed, East St, Reading Admission by advance ticket £3:50 / £3 UB40 Acorn Bookshop, Chatham St, Reading Pop Records, Yield Hall Place, Reading Listen Records, Butts Centre, Reading - - - REPAIRS AROUND THE HOME For fixing domestic electrical appliances TVs, Videos, Radios, Hi-Fis, Heaters, Cookers etc. Installing and fixing washing machines and tumble driers. Basic plumbing tap repairs water heaters lavatory cisterns. Printing equipment, duplicators and photocopiers. Most jobs considered. Tel: Ian Harris 661907 The Community Engineer - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1987/1987-01-27.txt#3 $