Hastings and Eastbourne cult groups

We quote:

“Hi Fellas,

I think this group has had a mention on your site before, [see here and here] however I feel it warrants inclusion on your cult group where to find. It is a personality led group rather than principle led, the personality in question is one Tim P. of Hastings you can hear his wonderful story on the Sidcup into action website where he refers to other AA groups in his locality as 'Devil worshippers' The reason I am writing this is when aahastings.co.uk was typed into my search this group's website came up. When the new intergroup of Hastings and Rother started up this group was not included because the group (in the shape of Tim P.) flatly refused to stop violation of traditions by numerous goings on at the meeting, and their obvious affiliation with Primary purpose although Tim P. refutes this. Literature sold there comes from The Paradise publishing company [Paradise Research Publications – see below]. Big book dictionary etc. etc. Gary B workshop DVD whoever Gary B is? Tim P's American sponsor I believe. They also combine the group with al-anon and C.A. with all donations going in one pot. They have sent out workshop flyers for their group and amazingly enough there is not a single mention of AA on them! The website of this group has a map reference using Google and this problem has already been addressed at conference i.e. the use of outside enterprises! There would not be a problem if they called it the Tim P. club they can even use the triangle and circle as we no longer have copyright. Anyhow fellas if this isn't a cult group well then I'm not an alcoholic!!

….....Keep up the good work”

and:

“Cult activity in East Sussex started with the Hastings Saturday night group. Initially the group was taken over by Tim P with the aid of cultists coming down from Kent: Gravesend and Strood areas. At the time the locals voted with their feet, left Tim and co. to brainwash the newcomers. The Eastbourne cult group was connected to the Hastings Saturday night group and the "There is a solution group" in Purley, North East Surrey Intergroup, which as you know is connected to the Primary Purpose Group of AA Dallas. Newcomers in the Eastbourne cult group were also taken to the Hastings and Purley cult groups. The Eastbourne cult group was using the Dallas primary purpose big book study guide and literature by Dick B. (published by Paradise Research publications Inc)[Dick B is a self proclaimed 'AA historian' whose agenda is essentially aimed at returning AA to its alleged uniquely (and therefore exclusive) fundamentalist Christian roots]”

 

Comment: It's interesting to note that this cult group (ejected by East Sussex Intergroup and subsequently rejected apparently by Hastings and Rother IG) is still listed under the latter intergroup in the online directory. Clearly the AA website “Meeting Finder” is no longer a reliable guide to AA groups (and hasn't been for some time in fact!). We'll be adding these two groups to our Cult: Where to Find (GB)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our usual thanks to our reporters for the information