25-11 READINGS ONLY 20p RED RAG fortnightly Next issue: Co-ordinator see box Deadline 6pm Sat March 7. Typed copy to 8cm width and single spaced. Advertising rates: Small ads freeeeee 10x6cm for £3 10x12cm for £6 4 ads in consecutive issues are £2:50 / £5 each. For info tel 666354, Simon. Published by the Red Rag Collective Printed by Acorn Red Rag, Box 79, 17 Chatham Street, Reading, Berks. - - - READING'S ASBESTOS LEGACY (or Vote Labour & still die slowly) In December of 1985 Reading Anarchists squatted the old Alder Valley bus depot in Thorn Walk for the Abiezer Coppe Winter Solstice Festival. Part of the depot had to be sealed off during the festival because of large amounts of broken and crumbling asbestos in those areas. In January 1986, Reading Anarchists joined local residents in complaining about the way in which Alder Valley had left the site in a dangerous condition in the middle of a residential area. We also estimated that the building contained some 50-60 tons of asbestos in its construction, and asked how it was intended to demolish the derelict building without allowing lethal asbestos dust to escape into the surrounding area. In reply we were given various assurances that the asbestos would be removed without endangering the local population or the workers undertaking the task. Alder Valley's commercial manager Andrew Taylor said that the contractors would 'take cognisance of anything dangerous' and added that asbestos 'isn't dangerous unless someone starts breaking it up'. We sought advice from the GMWU who produce detailed information on asbestos removal. We discovered that to protect both residents and workers the building should first be overbuilt with scaffolding which is then covered and sealed with plastic sheeting. The asbestos is then demolished by workers wearing disposable overalls and breathing apparatus. The demolished asbestos is then sealed in containers and taken to a dump designated for the disposal of asbestos waste. During the first week of February this year demolition work started on the Thorn Walk site. There was no scaffolding, no screening, no breathing apparatus. The asbestos roof was demolished by a crane swinging a ball and chain. Anyone worried about the risk to workers and local residents should bear in mind that this means of demolition was approved by Reading Council's Health & Safety Executive. Reading Council had agreed to this demolition method as long as 'someone squirted a hose at the asbestos as it falls, to lay some of the dust'. Anyone who has seen a demolition ball go through asbestos shooting will know that such a technique is worthless - if it was not so horrific it would be ludicrous. No one from Reading Council's Health & Safety Executive visited the site to see that even these totally inadequate precautions were being carried out as agreed. Asbestos related cancers do not appear until 10-15 years after exposure and, in cases such as this, a claim for compensation would be very difficult to prove. The danger from asbestos dust is no new discovery, over 100 years ago the Prudential adopted a policy of refusing life insurance to asbestos workers. It is impossible to calculate if or what damage has been caused to the health and life expectancy of the residents and workers around Thorn Walk. What we do know is that asbestos dust is a known killer, and Reading Council Health & Safety Executive doesn't seem very concerned. The Thorn Walk depot is now down and any damage has already been done. But Thorn Walk is only one of two derelict bus depots in Reading. The other is behind the old Granby cinema at Cemetery Junction and is due for demolition right now. If anything, the Cemetery Junction depot is a worse danger because it contains not just asbestos roofing but asbestos wall cladding, also it is in the middle of a densely populated residential area. Despite this, Reading Council's Health & Safety Executive has agreed the same pathetically inadequate precautions - i.e. someone with a hose spraying the falling sheets as they are shattered by the demolition ball. To remove the asbestos in a way that is safe to both the local residents and the demolition workers is expensive and time consuming. To knock it down with a crane is quick and cheap. What the residents of Cemetery Junction need to law: is - is it safe?. If the borough council consider the proposed method adequately safe we challenge the councillors to stand on the site during the demolition and demonstrate their confidence. Zed Feecher - - - HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH HURRAH Reading Women's Centre Collective are delighted to announce the opening of the new Women's Information Centre at 6 Silver Street on Sunday March 8th, International Women's Day. To celebrate the culmination of more than two years hard work, women are invited to an all day Tea Party which will be starting at 11am that day. There will be exhibitions on display and a chance to look around the newly-renovated building. All women are very welcome, please come along - bring a cake. If you want to bring a present for the new Women's Centre, how about a plant? The Centre will be open 10.30am - 8pm, Monday to Thursday, 10.30 - 5pm Friday and Saturday, every week. All women are welcome to drop in for cups of tea, information, etc etc - see future Red Rags for more on the services which will be available at Silver Street - including a free women's welfare rights service on Tuesday afternoons. Don't forget regular meetings at the Women's Centre, 6.30pm Tuesdays. There is also a 'first of the month' meeting on Sunday 1st March at 3pm, to look at Women's Centre policy. For more information please contact Karen on the new Women's Centre number Reading 311939 or on 482237. - - - SMALL AD Small cosy room to let near Univ. Share spacious house with couple, two-year-old and new baby (due next month). Large garden, central heating, newly decorated. Vegetarian preferred. Sorry, no claimants. £30 per week, including bills. Tel: 862050 - - - YOU ARE WHAT YOU DRINK? Over the last decade Britain has witnessed a boom in all aspects of healthy living. The food we eat has received particular attention as it is the foundation of well-being. Many have begun to question the quality of food produced by our modern farming methods as well as the potentially harmful additives that go into it. Why then if we are so critical of what we eat has it taken 'til now for our daily alcoholic drinks to receive the same attention? I suspect that it is not only because alcohol doesn't fit into the image of healthy living but also because most of us believe that our traditional alcoholic beverages are in some way natural. Far from it - they are as likely to have been subjected to processing as food. Wine - What Could Be More Natural? Real ale has been the thinking person's answer to additives in beer, but wine has replaced it as Britain's favourite tipple. Very little of the wine that we drink is actually made in Britain and for this reason the general public know very little about it. The recent anti-freeze scandal involving Austrian and German white wines has once again focussed public attention on the age-old practice of wine adulteration. However, although illegal practices of this nature are few and far between, there are many legal manipulations which can be used to rectify imbalances in taste, colour and clarity, and to develop a consistent product. Unfortunately the lack of detained information on a wine label makes it impossible to select wines that haven't been processed - and it looks set to stay that way despite pressure for changes in the law on wine-labelling. Fortunately, help is on hand for those of us who like to know what we're drinking ... I Thought All Wine Was Organic Organic wine has had many favourable mentions in the media as it is the only wine whose contents are known to the consumer as well as being as low in additives as is allowed by law. The grapes used in its production are grown organically without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Vines must traditionally be sprayed to prevent mildew - organic vineyards use only copper sulphate from natural mineral deposits. This drive for quality results in slightly lower yields which is the reason why organic wine costs a little more than conventional wine. Making Wine Nature's Way Once the grape harvest has been gathered, conventional vineyards can by law use up to 20 different additives and a long list of chemical and physical treatments in the wine-making process. Additives range from inoffensive yeasts to potassium ferrocyanide(?) to remove excess metal ions. After fermentation has ceased, many wines are still cloudy and would not make an acceptable beverage for most. To rectify this problem the wine can be filtered, fined or both. Traditional fining agents are egg whites, dried blood and isinglass (another name for Sturgeon's air bladders!). The method of fining is to form a layer of the particular substance which slowly sinks to the bottom, taking with it any particles in suspension. However, a well-made wine frequently only needs a light filtering before bottling to achieve the right clarity. So if you don't like animal products in your drink, you should avoid wines which have been fined. Lastly, all wine must by law contain Sulphur Dioxide, so organic growers use only the minimum amount allowed and that is obtained from natural sources. It is the high level of sulphur dioxide in commercial plonk which is the major cause of hangovers. Therefore if you don't like having to resort to the 'Hair of the Dog' to see you through the morning after, stick to wine that is organic. Vintage Roots is a new company, formed by three friends and based in Reading which deals exclusively in organic wine. We provide a range of French organic wines of the highest quality. Several are unfined, one of these is grown entirely without the use of animal products - and are low in sulphur, so they will leave you with a clear head in the morning. Most wine experts have been prepared to admit, that organic wines are every bit as good as their commercial counterparts, and in some cases-very much better... If your jaded palate needs reviving or you don't drink wine because it makes you feel dreadful the next day, then organic wine is what you need! For further information ring Vintage Roots on Reading 662569. - - - FOLK New to this column, details of the Drones club at the Plough, Long Wittenham, nr Didoot. Sounds dead friendly. Admission £2; UB40s £1, Singers £1:20. Wednesdays at 8pm. I'm told the excellent folk programme on Radio Oxford is at 6pm on Wednesdays, not 5pm. Here we go Thurs 26: Pressgang club, Cap & Gown, Kings Rd. Jim Jiminee. "Skiffle & rootsy music with verve & style". Used up all the best nouns already. Hey ho. That'll be £1 pre 9.30. Maidenhead at the Rose, King St: Robin Gray. Fri 27: A London snip: Super Diamono de Dakar, from Senegal, at the Town & Country Club, Highgate Rd, Kentish Town, NW5. If you haven't tried any Senegalese music this could be the opportunity. Try keeping still to it, that's all! Details: 01/735/7112. Sat 28: Bracknell, in South Hill Park's Cellar Bar: Ralph Jordan, with Jo & Pi Frazer. Concertina & whistles. Sun 1st March: Readifolk at the George, corner of Broad St, are having another singers' night, so it'll be cheap (or free if you have a go yourself). At Farnham Maltings there's a chance to see June Tabor and Martin Simpson, considered generally amongst the very best voices and guitarists respectively that there are. They're coming to Readifolk on April 5th, anyway. Support act at Farnham is the intriguing Attacoo Decente, faves of Billy Bragg, entirely acoustic and energetic, using zithers and tongue drums and hammer dulcimers and things and lefty too. Could be worth investigating. Details 95/724638. Mon 2nd: Nettlebed, at the Bull in the High St, Tony Wilson (voice and banjo, from "The North") Tues 3rd: Turks Bottom at the Cap & Gown: Lost Weekend, talented local duo with double bass and guitar and great vocals, lotsa energy. Wed 4th: Drones, Long Wittenham: Pete Castle. Thurs 5th: Pressgang: Clive Product's Arms and Legs. Electric 5-piece, witty. Maidenhead: Jeremy Kahn. Sat 7: Bracknell: Hat Trick. Traditional harmony trio. Aldershot West End Centre, Queens Rd, A'shot: Michelle Shocked. It was really good to see her at Pressgang the other night, the real woman rather than all the hype that's been surrounding her. I won't attempt to add to all the opinions, other than to say that she's got a great voice and some nifty songs. At Aldershot support is Maggie Holland, singer and multi-instrumentalist from Farnham. £4:50. 8pm. Bookings A'shot 330040. Sun 8: Readifolk haven't got Jim Couza as advertised (illness in the family); he'll be coming Aug. 2nd instead. Last minute replacement (now there's a name for a band) is Bob Fox, contemporary singer and guitarist. Mon 9: Nettlebed: Nick Smith (local; I know no more) Tues 10: Turks-at-the-Cap-&-Gown: Terry Clarke; what can I say? A great voice. Go see him if you haven't. Wed 11: Drones: Sensible Shoes. At time of writing, thought to he a guitar duo. 2 men from Oxford. Great name! Eversley Cross, at the Toad & Stumps: Jook Boys (Country/Blues/Comedy) Thurs 12: Pressgang: The Tennessee 3 (of whom there are 4) country/blues/reggae. Also known as the Mighty Ballistics High Power. Sound interesting! M'head: Alan Courtney. I have a feeling that Maidenhead are going through a phase of male guitarist/singers, but I have no evidence for this at all, OK? The evidence is in the post, so I hope to be more informative soon. Fri 13: Another London snip: the Bhundu Boys from Zimbabwe, electric and tight, I'm told, at the very wonderful Town & Country Club (see above) What could have been done with the Granby cinema at Cemetery Junction. Sat 14: Aldershot: (West End Centre) Lowell Fulson "elder statesman" of the blues. (West Coast electric). With Sonny Black's Blues Band & support. £4:50. 8pm. Bracknell: Come-all-ye, which is their name for a singers' night, ye fool, ye. Sun l5: Readifolk: Irish special with Oxbow Dash and Irish dancers. From tonight there's a London Irish arts festival going on (details 01/624/3158) Forthcomings: Mark T & the (new expanded) Brickbats at the Paradise Club, London St Mon 23rd. Farnham Folk Day on Sunday April 26 at Farnham Maltings with Dick Gaughan, Rory McLeod, The Oyster Band, the Easy Club, kora players from Gambia & Senegal, Hassan Erraji from Morocco, Pete Webb, Maggie Holland & Dave Parry and more. £8 in advance from FM3, PO Box 73, Farnham, Surrey, + SAE. Thanks to Dennis of Readifolk, to Pressgang and to Aldershot for keeping us up to date. Details and typing hints to the Folk Bit, Red Rag, Box 79, 17, Chatham St, Reading, or ring Liz on 53437. - - - LIVING DEAD Pepsi Cola has had to change its advertising campaign in Thailand. It had discovered that its slogan "Come alive, you're in the Pepsi generation" translated in Thai to "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the dead". - - - THE READING RACKET - NEWS FILE Free Newspapers A new freebie is being stuffed through our door. If you think the new technology was there to give you the reader any good newspapers, then this is a good example contradicting that idea. What the technology has achieved is lower costs for the owner, less overheads means more advertising revenue. Hence the Rocket can join the Standard the Midweek Chronicle and the Weekender. As if we do not get enough advertising stuffed in the letter box each morning (whether disguised as post or not). This new paper is particularly disturbing as it attempts to be as crass as such gutter press tabloids the Sun / News of the World etc. It wants to force such titillation and scandal through the letter box so any 'choice' forced through purchase has been lost. There is only one way of stopping this becoming a regular event. Nail up your letter box! However if you still get mail (what the box is for!) even if it is still only every two weeks, you can protest. You might want to write a letter but this won't work. Maybe a notice on the gate or front door, might have an effect. The best and most effective by far is to send it back. If you find it offensive say so on the paper, put the address on the outside, in the case of the Rocket it is the Post's offices 50-56 Portman Rd., Reading. Then just stick it in the post. Do not put a stamp on it. Imagine their face every time they pay double postage, it is their privilege for abusing your letter box. Remember send it back! We went out on to the streets of Reading to canvas your opinion of our freebie paper. Here is the public speaking.... Mr Salter: Does nothing for the community. Ms Riley: I send all the freebies back, I particularly enjoy them paying the postage. Mrs Butts: Sexist crap that our rates have to dispose of. Mr Smith: I think you should pay us to take your filthy advertising. - - - NO AIDS FOR THE NEW RUBBER MORALITY AIDS aren't you dying of ignorance? Well all I wanted to do was to find out what sex was possible and yet still safe as I've yet to be tested. AIDS aren't we still dying of ignorance? Unless you or your partner of the day or years has been tested you might not know what is 'safe' sex! This attempts to direct all and sundry to a complete and fulfilling sex life whether you know your partner's history (of up to 3-5 years or at least four months for contraction of the virus to show positive) or not. Casual sex can be a reality and safe. Remember you choose what levels of risk you take. Below is listed what is known to be safe and also low risk sex. Most forms of oral sex are safe if sperm or vagina mucus or blood are not transferred. Breaks s in the skin increase the risk of infection as does any other sexual disease where sores etc result. Drugs may lower resistance to the virus as well as affecting judgement of what is safe. The AIDS test. This tests for antibodies to HTLV III a virus now widely accepted as the cause of AIDS. The presence of the antibodies as shown by a positive test does not mean you have AIDS. Over a two year period it was found that 10% of antibody positive but healthy gay men contracted the disease. A further 15% developed 'AIDS related' diseases or AIDS Related Complex (ARC). So 75% remained healthy! No one knows whether more of these will become ill in years to come. There are no long term tests on large numbers to give reliable information so we will have to wait. Therefore an Antibody positive is not a death certificate. If you decide to have the test then your nearest special/VD clinic is the place to go. This is known as the Florey Unit in the Royal Berk's (tel 363355 mornings only). The Terrence Higgins Trust run a help line (01-333 2971) where they can inform/help or support your enquiry. They also need money to support the service! If you are antibody positive they can put you in touch with the support group Body Positive made up of people in the same position. If you or your partner is antibody positive or you don't know either way, some forms of sexual activity are safe. If you both are then the act can increase the possibility of AIDS. Safe * Everyday contact with someone who has or is carrying AIDS. * Solo masturbation - go for it! * Enemas, douches done by and to yourself. * Sex toys kept for your own exclusive use by & on yourself. * Playing with shit and piss. * Blood transfusions safe since Aug. '85 except in countries where blood is not checked. * Chalice (RC-Jesus' blood safe / CofE antiseptic Sunday tipple.) * Dentistry, Accupuncturce Pedicure, noone has looked at this yet. If you are body positive you should tell them. The Terrence Higgins Trust will find those willing to treat you if you are refused treatment. * Anulingus, safe and tasty. Low Risk The risk is increased if the skin is broken, the presence of blood ie periods or any sort of bondage / sex act which draws blood. Protection is best provided by the British Rubber Co, though splits in the product do not detract from flying the British Kite Mark: they do increase the risk. Use a water based lubricant not Vaseline it rots rubber. Lesbian sex. Safe, except maybe periods. The only cases of lesbian women with AIDS are those who received test-tube fertilisations from infected sperm donors. * Cunnilingus. Safe apart from periods or drawing blood or broken skin in mouth / vagina. * Fellatio. Safe except the usual (see above). Saliva does carry the virus so beware broken skin but there is no hard evidence that this has passed on the virus. High Risk * One fuck is all you need as passed through sperm or vaginal fluid. More risk if you have a genital infection eg herpes, chancres, cancer, VD or sex when there's blood around. The infected male healthy female relationship is more at risk than vice versa. Protection is don't, or use a condom. * Straight anal sex. Noone's bothered to look at this, but it is risky due to the slight damage it can cause, Also risky sperm again. Use a condom * Gay anal sex. Again it's risky in all three combinations. If you are both body positive it can increase risk of AIDS developing. Don't fuck without a condom. Don't do anything which could irritate or damage the mucus membranes (up your arse) or bring them into contact with another's body fluids. Avoid anulingus if there is any bleeding in anus or mouth, and after anal sex. Sorry about the new rubber morality but they are still free from the Family planning! * Pregnancy. The foetus is at risk from the contact with the mothers blood at the placenta. Also there is an increased risk of developing AIDS because of pregnancy. * Syringes. Use your own works, if you have to inject. There are needle swapping services in Liverpool and Edinburgh yet to arrive here. If anyone wants to set one up I will help. - - - FILM & VIDEO 27 Bambi(U) SHP 2pm & 7pm US 1942 Walt Disney. Video Course: RCU 2-4 Free to unwaged, basic video techniques. 28 Bambi SHP. Basic Photography Workshop: SHP 10-5.30, also Sun. £30 (plus concs.) No prior knowledge needed, a crash course in B/W photography. 1 Bambi SHP Basic Photography Workshop: SHP as Sat 2 Smooth Talk(15) SHP US 1986, Dir Joyce Chopia, 92 min. 7.45pm. Tale of adolescence with sinister undertones. 3 Smooth Talk (SHP) 4 Smooth Talk (SHP) The Cotton Club(15) RFT US 1984 Dir. F. Coppola, 128 min 8pm. The superb music, dancing and decor of Harlem's Cotton Club during prohibition form the backdrop to a story of two white brothers and two black brothers. 5 The Cotton Club (RFT) 6 True Stories(PG) US 1986, Dir. David Byrne, 89 min, 7.45 & 10.30. That snappy dressing Talking Head Byrne presents his bizarre portrait of Virgil, Texas. Definitely worth seeing especially if, like me, you think Byrne is a genius. Video Course: RCU 2-4. Vagabond (Sans toit ni loi)(15) Fr. 1985 subtitles, Dir. Agnes Varda 106 min. A girl is found dead in a ditch in S. France. The film traces her search for ultimate freedom through her last few weeks of life and the relationships she forms. 7 True Stories (SHP) 7.45 & 10.30 Weekend Basic Video Course: SHP 10-5.30 £45 (concs. available). Sun also. 8 True Stories (SHP) 7.45 only Basic Video (as Sat.) SHP 9 10 True Stories (SHP) 7.45 11 True Stories (SHP) 7.45 Fool for Love(15) RFT US 1985. Dir. Robert Altman, 108 min, 8pm. Technically brilliant film about a sexual relationship between half siblings. 12 Johnny Dangerously SHP 7.45 Target(15) RFT US 1985. Dir Arthur Penn, 118 min. Gene Hackman in an espionage adventure. 13 Video Course RCU 2-4 Crocodile Dundee(15) SHP Aus. 1986 Dir. Peter Fairman, 98 min, 7.45 & 10.30. Box office smash with Paul Hogan as an innocent abroad in N.Y. 14 15 Crocodile Dundee SHP 7.45 (Sat. 10.30 also) Key RCU. Reading centre for unwaged 4-6 East st RFT. Reading film theatre. University Palmer building, Whiteknights park. Tickets £1:90 (concs £1:20) SHP. South Hill Park arts centre. Birch hill, Bracknell. box office (91) 484123 courses (91) 427272 concs normally 1/2 price films £2:50, screenings free Cinemas in Reading for details:- The Odeon Cheapside 507887 Canon, Friar st 53907 - - - (paid ads) Harris Arcade, Station Road, Reading 588425 Designer Knitwear, Fashion Jewellery, T-shirt printing FOR SOCIALLY UNADJUSTED PEOPLE - - - THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH Trader's Shopping Centre, Station Road, Reading Specialists in Organic, Caribbean, African and S. American Fruit & Veg, Herbs, Spices, Pulses at Competitive Prices. Delivery & Wholesale Supplies Available. Telephone Reading 587660 - - - LIVE & DIRECT Thur 26th * Paradise club :Tony Williams young saxon sound system. * S.H.P. Wilde Theatre This and every Thur. something called the sub-way featuring local bands. * Military Surplus play in Oxford at the Jericho Tavern Mad Hatters Club. Fri 27th * Paradise Club present Military Surplus and The Particles for £1:50 before ten * Polish Club The Backbeat Band and The Larkins all for just £2 with its own car park just behind the Cap and Gown. * Something called the Changes Club at the Jericho Tavern Oxford. Sat 28th * Cap and Gown: The Gathering and Warhols Babies * Paradise club soul disco! Tue 3rd * Ronnie Scot Quintet at S.H.P. £4/£3 UB40 in the Wilde theatre * Majestic - The Godfathers and the Hearthrobs £3 advance £3:50 on the door. Wed 4th * Toughen up sound system at the Paradise Club. * Sometimes Sartre at the Cap and Gown. Thur 5th * Clive product at the Cap and Gown for just £1 * The Lost T-Shirt of Atlantas are playing at the Jericho Tavern for £l:50 plus 50p if it's your first time there. * Soul and Reggae night at the Paradise Club. Fri 6th * The gathering play at St Davids Hall Reading Uni * Second Emotion and The Back Beat Band at Mansfield hall Reading Uni. * Paradise club: the Black Cillas £1:50 before ten £2:50 after so get there early. * Oxfords Jericho tavern have something called The changes club do indie stuff. Sat 7th * The Caribbean Club Baisingstoke present The Gathering and the Jeremiahs. Wed 11th * Majestic My Bloody Valentine and The Gathering * Pressgang at Eversley folk Club Thur 12th * Tennessee Three at the Cap and Gown Three of Mighty Balistics HiPower playing Rock'n'roll. Special thanks deserve to go to the Cap and Gown for their help and support in compiling this listing. Comments such as "I don't talk to Red Rag" are surely indicative of an open-minded and dedicated attitude towards local music. Great, toy remnants of intelligent life left in Reading please send your info, to 'Live & Direct', Box 79, Acorn Bookshop 17, Chatham Street, Reading. - - - THEATRE South Hill Park: Wilde Theatre 'Cut and Dried' by Jane Thornton Wed.4th to Sat.7th March. 7.30pm £5-£3 (£3:50-£2) Janet Smith And Dancers , Three dance pieces. Thurs. 12th to Sat 14th March, 7.30pm £4 (£2:50) Theatre? South Hill Park: Studio Theatre Meeting Ground Theatre Co. present 'Demon Lovers' by Stephen Lowe Thurs. 12th and Fri. 13th March, 7.30pm £3 (£2) Reading University: Faculty of Letters Theatre". RUDS present Lear Tues 24th to Sat.28th February, 7.30pm, £2 Hexagon 'Opera 3D' Thurs. 26th to Sat. 28th February, 7.30 £2 Reading Operatic Society present 'Guys And Dolls' Tues. 3rd to Sat. 7th March, 7.45pm Sheridan's 'The Rivals' Mon. 9th to Sat l4th March, 8.00pm Tickets from £5:50 (Concs. avail.) - - - REVIEWS Spaniel in the Works Theatre Co. 'Torromolinos Tales' Progress Theatre, Feb. llth-14th. I was embarrassed. I didn't want to go. It sounded like a thespian version of 'Duty Free'. But No. Based on the Canterbury Tales the play was presented with imaginative use of stage space and the intimate atmosphere of the Progress. The audience were carried through emotions, bumping over the corny bits, and I will go to the next Spaniel production. Oxford Playhouse Company,. Sheridan's 'The Rivals' Wilde Theatre, SHP. A good laugh and an interesting satirical look at love and status; and what brilliant style and mannerisms. Set design, costumes and acting (esp. Bernard Wright) worked well. The famous Mrs. Malaprop provided a steady framework for the middle-class audience to titter in the right places. I recommend it. You can see it at the Hexagon, where it's more expensive but you can get there and back by public transport. Ian. - - - VEGGIE DIEDING I'm sorry to report that the all new risen-from the ashes like a phoenix veggie dining has taken a bit of a nose dive. Unfortunately, the Reading Centre for the Unemployed, which was to be used as a venue for these illustrious vegan feasts, is no longer available for social gatherings. Therefore, the veggie dining advertised for Feb 26th is cancelled until further notice, so watch these pages for more news as our intrepid chefs investigate possible banqueting halls. Anybody interested in flogging a few dead lentils or doing the washing up should ring 599995 and ask for Tim or Mike. Hope to see you all soon for a bout of gluttony. love and good munchies, Mike. - - - SUBSCRIPTIONS For just £4 that's only 80 shillings or bob (who he?) you can get delivered for the next six months that's 132.5 days worth of Red Rag already an Increase of 52.5. So if you want new Standards, all the Rock, it rolls in every second midweek and for only four quid definitely no freebie eh bob. Name: Address: (Cheques payable to Red Rag) Box 79 Acorn Bookshop 17 Chatham St. Rdg. - - - COLLECTIVE MINUTES = Hours 1. Workshops It was suggested that we hold a weekend of workshops for people interested in the media. These might include sessions on paste-up, design, writing, distribution etc. Hopefully more people would become involved with the Rag through these workshops but this would not be the main aim. 2. Small Grants The idea of applying for a small grant from the council was rejected. Firstly because we would be very unlikely to receive one, but we would also be very restricted in what we could print, were we council funded. 3. Features Red Rag could do with more features on local groups. The Women's Centre and Wildlife Garden pieces went down very well. If you're involved in a group of some sort, why not write and tell the Rag about it? 4. Advertising The Rag itself needs to be advertised in other publications. Any ideas? Advertising in the Raq is available and it's dead cheap. "Red Rag - reaches the parts other newspapers..." as someone once said. 5. Sales!!!! We no longer have vast piles of spare Rags lying around. Hargun (Chomeley Rd) are now an outlet. There are 500 copies of this Rag printed. If you would like to sell any or know somewhere that would please let us know. 6. Next Meeting Wednesday 1st April 8pm. Come and find out who makes what makes Red Rag tick. Phone 665332 for details. - - - RED RAG 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) * Hargun Cash & Carry (Chomeley Road) - - - EVENTS Wildlife Garden exhibition runs until the 6th March at the RCU. East St. Reading Birth Centre: Group for women 'encouraging them to prepare mentally and physically for child birth and provides regular meetings for mothers.' Regular activities include Vegetarian lunch to share every 3rd Tuesday at noon (tel Viv 413840) and exercise classes every Wed at 10am (tel Jean 31 3117). Sat 28 Feb Butts: Everyone (especially kids) invited to come along and weave a giant tapestry out of carrier-bags (provided or bring your own) on a huge loom! Sun 1 March Reading's Mayday celebrations, planning meeting at the centre for the unimpressed (East st) 11am Mon 2 Reading Anti-Apartheid Campaign meeting Paradise Club 8pm PnD Housing Coop meeting; dealing with our personal plans and members responsibilities. Tel Cliff 665332 for details Lesbian and Gay Youth Group meeting; 8.30pm Wine Bar, Students Union Rdg. Uni every Mon. all welcome, see below. Tues 3 Performance Group Video Workshop St. Davids Hall, London Rd. 7.30pm all welcome, non-members 50p. Wildlife Garden Video at RCU, East St. Wed 4 Red Rag Media Workshop Meeting: planning a series of workshops for novices in the art of putting out the Rag, Or the skills needed for any publication! Tel. 666354 SWP: 'Can the working class win Socialism?' Friends Meeting Hse. (Church St) 8pm Civic Offices; Small grants committee of the Council meet to discuss Money! any for us? Fri 6 The next Vocal Workshop where you can find a whole host of chord that you might not of known of and all this without straining any of it! Takes place in the Abbey Rm of the Library 7-9pm. the cost of the Rm is split between those present. Contact Marcus 667060 for more details, or turn up at the back door. Sat 7 Copy Deadline 6pm at Acorn Box 79, for the next issue of this scintillating organ. Make sure you write your articles (this time!) / ads / agony letters / or at least complaints! on time! Coordinator/Contact number in box. Sun 8 International Women's Day - & Tea Party see front page article. Red Rag writing and typing the deadline is so far away no need to worry, maybe a few phone calls, remember it's all in the box! Mon 9 Red Rag.... What no [**/+!!? listings! ooops I mean headings, paste up. Tues 10 Berkshire Anti Nuclear Campaign - Action Meeting. Christian CND event with Barbara Eggleston as speaker. Friends Meeting House, 8pm. Wildlife Garden Springclean at the garden in East St. 1pm. Performance Group meeting, St. David's Hall, London Rd. 8.30pm All welcome Red Rag last minute article writing and typing and paste up, it's printed tomorrow!!! Find out what Panic is really about. Sat 14 Anti Apartheid march to Trafalgar Sq. London, lpm gather Archway Tube Station. Sun 15 Visit to Upper Heyford Peace Camp. The Anniversary of our bombing of Libyan capital in peace time. Remember civilians are the targets of our military! Is this what national pride is about? Support the peace camps. Tel Chris on Pangbourne (31)5275. Tues 17 Wildlife Garden: Path Building in the garden, East St at 1pm. Sat 4 April Illegal march in London in defiance of the public order act. That's It! Erik Events to Box 79 Acorn 17 Chatham St. - - - Gay & Lesbian Awareness Week The beginning of March is Gay and Lesbian Awareness Week at the University. There are lots of events planned and it's not just for students! Definite dates so far are... Mon 2 March Meeting of all interested groups in Reading. 8pm in the Students Union Wine Bar. Wed 4 March Performance Group in the Student Union at lunchtime. Video Showing 8pm in Room 106 Palmer Building. Thurs 5 March Speakers 8pm in Meeting Room in Student's Union. See You There! - - - $Id: //info.ravenbrook.com/user/ndl/readings-only-newspaper/issue/1987/1987-02-24.txt#3 $