Pathways House Rehab, Canterbury (Kent)

A member has contacted us to express his concerns about the above treatment centre and the questionable conduct of both its owner(?)/manager and another member of staff: 

Care Quality Commission report (30^th August 2014) on their services. They fail in two categories:

• Caring for people safely and protecting them from harm
• Staffing

Pathways House Limited is managed by Kenneth Milne. 

This is the same Kenneth Milne who appears in the following Kent Online article (June 2014):

Canterbury neighbours endure lewd insults from rehab boss Kenny Milne in row over Pathways House in Rochester Avenue

Not a particularly auspicious recommendation!

Apparently Kenneth (or Kenny to his friends – he must be running short on those by now) is adopting a lower profile these days (presumably no longer displaying his nether regions to the neighbours, which is probably something of a relief for all concerned). Moreover we've been told he has connections with both AA and CA (funny how CA keeps on cropping up isn't it! See Harry K, Richard E).

But he isn't the only 'loose cannon' on the premises. Another of Kenny's colleagues (who shall remain anonymous ...for the time being at least) is well known as an active cult member in both the West and East Kent areas. Employed by Pathways as a general 'gofer' this individual somehow acquired the view that his position qualified him to be a counsellor (presumably through some mysterious form of 'osmosis'!). Unclear about the distinction between counselling professionally (albeit unqualified and with absolutely no experience) and 'sponsorship' he set himself up in some kind of hybrid role and was charging a former client of Pathways House £10 per hour to take him through the steps - something of a bargain we have to say when compared with professional fees. But then you get what you pay for don't you!

In between fleecing other members he also does a bit of conveyancing (no not that kind of conveyancing!) on the side taking punters to the local hard core cult meetings – Friday Canterbury (Quaker) and Dover Monday (not sure if we've come across that one before??). Apparently the former was set up by some geezer called Bill (from Strood – all part of the cult 'franchise') attracting such notables as Laughing Chris (oh dear not another one - we've already got a Happy Dennis on the books) and Arthur. Clearly giggling is permitted in cult circles - but no speaking at meetings until you've got a sponsor. And even then only to chant “happy, joyous and free” and “my sponsor says this, and my sponsor says that” … right up to the point where they finally crack!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Thanks to our correspondent 

PPS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here  

PPPS Plymouth Intergroup corruption

'Thug of the month' - Sean (or Shaun), East Kent

“Hi Fellas,

Some guy called Sean (a traveller or so he said) came to our meeting recently. Apparently he was up to the 'smoke' from East Kent. Turned up late (after the chair had finished speaking). When the sharing started he came in at the end and we were treated to what felt like an endless rant. He claimed he was an AA archivist and then went on to talk about Wally P etc and how they used to do it in the 'old days'. Obviously he idolised the bloke. Banged on about how so-and-so was sponsored by Dr Bob like anybody cared. Then he started slagging off other AA meetings etc. He had a peculiar habit of laughing at his own witticisms - nobody else did! Finally he ended up by saying he was 'happy, joyous and free” almost defiantly Seemed very defensive despite all the bravado. I just thought what a prat! I spoke to a newcomer at the end of the meeting. He thought the guy was barking mad as well!”

Keep up the good work!

…...”

(edited to preserve anonymity)

Comment: Sean is a well-known 'schmuck' from East Kent. He did serve as archivist at one stage fully 'padding his expenses' to York at every opportunity. He's also a bully and a thug. We've heard recently that he attended a meeting in Canterbury where he told members that meetings were not “group therapy” (if they're not then what the hell are they?). So vicious was his attack that he reduced one woman member to tears. Another recovery 'expert'! And a thoroughly nasty piece of work.

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

PPS Plymouth Intergroup corruption

A bit of this and that!

An email from a cult member:

“Just to inform you:

Kearsney [see: East Kent cult group gets its marching orders!] wed night (original Strood influence )

Now Dover wed night.

The meeting lives on is stronger and thankfully much more steps focused.

so.the Dover / Kerasney [sic] meeting will continue to flourish, sponser [sicker] people to wellness!

the members are more resoloute [sickest] than ever!”

Comment: Might try using a spell check now and then! Or maybe lay off 'the brew'! Note the explicit connection to the Strood group (West Kent cult). And finally for -  “the members are more resoloute than ever” - read ….. the fanatics still don't get it!

And also from East Kent:

Herne Bay Big Book Salvation (yes seriously!) and Dover (Monday)( two ex-AA groups now registered with the Primary Purpose cult gang in Dallas) are still listed in that directory (see here). The two contacts are Harry K and Harry A (aka Batman and Robin) although the former may have defected to Cocaine Anonymous by now (but more on him at a later date)

Lastly:

The Chelmsford Thursday meeting (listed in our GB Cult Where to Find) may have reverted to AA.......

And lastly... finally!

For the more obsessive amongst you (who could think such a thing!) we present an index of “don'ts” and “musts” (Big Book, 3^rd edn). We personally counted them ourselves (yeah …...sure!). There are more “don'ts” than “musts”

Don't

1. 12
2. 14
3. 20
4. 53
5. 77
6. 82
7. 83
8. 86
9. 89
10. 90
11. 92
12. 93
13. 102
14. 108
15. 113
16. 120
17. 121
18. 126
19. 148
20. 149
21. 151
22. 157
23. 186
24. 188
25. 190
26. 194
27. 198
28. 202
29. 204
30. 206
31. 207
32. 239
33. 248
34. 257
35. 262
36. 263
37. 266
38. 267
39. 268
40. 271
41. 272
42. 273
43. 300
44. 301
45. 309
46. 318
47. 324
48. 326
49. 336
50. 337
51. 340
52. 346
53. 347
54. 348
55. 349
56. 350
57. 351
58. 352
59. 356
60. 362
61. 363
62. 367
63. 377
64. 378
65. 381
66. 382
67. 384
68. 386
69. 387
70. 389
71. 390
72. 391
73. 392
74. 400
75. 412
76. 423
77. 426
78. 429
79. 438
80. 439
81. 440
82. 443
83. 446
84. 447
85. 450
86. 464
87. 468
88. 469
89. 471
90. 477
91. 479
92. 482
93. 484
94. 485
95. 487
96. 488
97. 489
98. 492
99. 499
100. 500
101. 502
102. 503
103. 510
104. 511
105. 512
106. 516
107. 526
108. 527
109. 529
110. 540
111. 542
112. 550
113. 552

Must

1. 10
2. 14
3. 20
4. 21
5. 29
6. 33
7. 43
8. 44
9. 62
10. 66
11. 69
12. 73
13. 74
14. 75
15. 78
16. 79
17. 80
18. 81
19. 82
20. 83
21. 85
22. 86
23. 89
24. 90
25. 93
26. 95
27. 99
28. 100
29. 101
30. 111
31. 113
32. 114
33. 115
34. 117
35. 118
36. 120
37. 127
38. 130
39. 135
40. 141
41. 143
42. 144
43. 146
44. 152
45. 153
46. 154
47. 156
48. 159
49. 164
50. 175
51. 180
52. 181
53. 199
54. 217
55. 223
56. 256
57. 264
58. 269
59. 272
60. 277
61. 281
62. 286
63. 293
64. 297
65. 299
66. 307
67. 310
68. 311
69. 319
70. 325
71. 379
72. 380
73. 382
74. 390
75. 394
76. 395
77. 408
78. 422
79. 452
80. 458
81. 463
82. 475
83. 480
84. 481
85. 491
86. 501
87. 502
88. 504
89. 505
90. 506
91. 513
92. 516
93. 520
94. 524
95. 525
96. 526
97. 531
98. 533
99. 536
100. 563
101. 565
102. 569
103. 571
104. 572

Now don't you feel a whole lot better for that? Surely you must!!!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)


PS Cheers to our various correspondents!

Cult “Where to Find” (GB) – update – and other matters!

YORKSHIRE

Halifax Primary Purpose Group

Saturday 10.30 The Ebenezer Center, St. James Road

[Contact: comes under Ebenezer Centre Tel: 01422 342654]

(outside affiliation with the Primary Purpose movement)

Back To Basics Meeting

Wednesday 6:30 Harrogate Baptist Church. Victoria Avenue,

[Contact: comes under Baptist Church]

(described in the AA directory as a Big Book multi-meeting group but affiliated with the Back to Basics movement – a US separately incorporated “not for profit” outside enterprise)

EAST KENT

Herne Bay: Big Book Salvation

Wednesday 7.30 The Retreat, RC Church, 2 Clarence Road

[Contact: comes under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Southwark]

(outside affiliation with the Primary Purpose movement)

Dover Big Book Study

Monday 7.30 Our Lady of Dover RC Church, Roosevelt Road

[Contact: comes under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Southwark]

(outside affiliation with the Primary Purpose movement).

PS The word is that the two Primary Purpose contacts for these East Kent meetings – Harry K and Harry A (aka Batman and Robin) - have some rather interesting habits. We've learnt through the grapevine (no – not THAT Grapevine!) that Harry A (Robin), when challenged by the East Kent Intergroup about his inclusion in this outside directory as a contact for one of the above groups, denied all knowledge and claimed ….. identity theft! According to Harry A (aka Harry the Handbag) some person (or persons unknown) had maliciously ripped off his name and number and posted it off to Dallas (HQ of the Primary Purpose movement). In the subsequent interrogation (which did not include the use of thumbscrews) his story changed and he was asked if either group had agreed (through a group conscience) to their details being placed in the Primary Purpose directory. Obfuscation followed upon obfuscation whilst Harry A sought to evade his ruthless inquisitors. No one (including the hapless Handbag) seemed at all convinced by his feeble explanations. And yet the groups and his contact details still remain posted on the Primary Purpose website! As for Harry K (aka Batman – and holder of our prestigious Thug of the Month award) it would seem that he likes to get all “touchy feely” when it comes to carrying the one true, pure and unsullied AA message to the heathen (we mean you and us!) …. and most especially with the ladies. Apparently he's a fellow who likes to 'get up close and personal' when transmitting what he's got! Perhaps we've got this all wrong and he's merely a repressed tree hugger who's all confused! Or maybe it's just a hobby! Who can say!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

East Kent cult group gets its marching orders!

The good news and … the bad news

Well as the story goes.... the Dover Kearsney: Into Action (Wednesday) cult group (see meeting details below) have been kicked out of their premises. We don't as yet have full details on the cause of their rather abrupt expulsion but the landlords of the property (a registered charity – The Sisters of the Religious Retreat) had apparently received numerous complaints about the activities of this cult group over the past few years. Last Wednesday (23/5) - or so we are told - the group was visited by a representative who informed them they no longer had permission to use the facility. Unfortunately …. and here's the bad news …. there was collateral damage with the Tuesday AA meeting (at the same venue and a legitimate Alcoholics Anonymous gathering) also being requested to vacate. Fortunately the latter have already found a new venue (in Deal) but the cult group is currently homeless. For our part of course we're always delighted to hear about the demise of a cult group (a by no means infrequent occurrence). However they will attempt to remedy their 'vagrant' status either by finding new premises or (more likely) attempt to take over another group. We've heard that the prime target in the latter case is the Birchington Thursday meeting.

Herein however lies a warning! So long as AA continues to tolerate this abusive presence within our midst then we can expect further closures along the same lines. Landlords of such premises will not discriminate between genuine AA meetings and those run by the cult in its various manifestations. Quite reasonably they will conclude that they must safeguard their interests and make a clean sweep of anything calling itself an AA meeting. It is interesting to note that in the case of West Kent (intergroup area), where there is a considerable cult presence (if not dominance), the number of hospital venues available to AA has shrunk dramatically over the last few years. Not so long ago both Maidstone Hospital and Medway Hospital used to accommodate no less than 5 meetings between them. These are now all closed (although the groups themselves have successfully relocated) on the instigation of the managing trusts. We have been reliably informed that these decisions were (off the record) prompted by an increasing concern about what was going on in AA (or more accurately the cult groups within AA) with respect to anti-prescribed medication issues, religious dogma etc. Unless AA (its groups, intergroups etc) take steps to distance itself from these rogue enterprises then we will all end up being tarred with the same brush. They will drag us down with them!

DOVER KEARNSEY LUNCHTIME, TUESDAY Meeting

Time: 13.00

Kearsney Abbey Nursing Home, Alkham Valley Road (closed)

DOVER KEARSNEY: INTO ACTION, WEDNESDAY [cult] Meeting

Time: 19.30

Kearsney Manor Nursing Home, Alkham Valley Rd (closed)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS What the above does demonstrate however is the effectiveness of making a complaint. Eventually the landlord will have to take notice if a sufficient number are submitted (preferably with supporting evidence or testimony). To that end we will be adding the relevant contact details (where we can determine them) to our Cult: Where to Find listings in order to facilitate this. However where a location also hosts legitimate AA meetings it is important that any complaint clearly distinguishes this fact.

Batman and Robin (aka Harry K and Harry A – East Kent)

Well ..... what can we say? The complaints about this particular dynamic duo continue to flood in! For those of you who aren't in the know these two self-appointed experts on the Big Book (and on little else apparently!) have been attempting to carry the message to the ignorant heathen of East Kent (otherwise known as AA members) for some time now (whether the latter want it or not). Harry A (aka Harry the Handbag) haunts the the Aylesham Wednesday meeting in Kent whereas Harry K (easily identifiable by the leather bound and name inscribed copy of the Big Book he carries around with him constantly - much like a baby pacifier) likes to spread himself around a bit more. This tag team can also be observed performing their double act at Dover Monday, Herne Bay Wednesday (both groups affiliated with an outside organisation ie. Primary Purpose – see Tradition 3) and Westgate Sunday. This odd duet is strangely effective, the reasons for which have eluded us for some time now. It certainly isn't because of the “message” they purport to carry. Anyone with even a superficial knowledge of the tome in question can easily discern that neither have a clue about its contents. Indeed the book itself hardly enters the equation. It rather serves as a platform upon which they can quite perversely promote their own inadequacies. We might have used the term “personalities” here but in both cases this again is peculiarly lacking. With Harry the Handbag the main impact he produces in the psyche of any hapless listener who wanders into his path is a kind of stunned nausea. He can drone on at length in a peculiarly hypnotic fashion rendering the victim incapable of either fight or flight, doomed to endure the experience to its bitter end, and quite helplessly paralysed by Harry's remorseless lecturing. On the other hand the Caped Crusader (Harry K) has an entirely different effect. Here his quite breathtaking arrogance is of such a degree that the observer is again paralysed but this time for another reason entirely. Indeed the listener is held in the grip of a kind of horrified fascination verging on disbelief, mesmerised by the prospect that anyone could possibly mistake their own profound stupidity for some form of knowledge. So assured is Harry K of his own masterful insight that the audience is quite captivated by the sight of such self-delusion in operation! Together the pair are quite insuperable and would no doubt by now have converted the entire world to their way of thinking (let alone AA!) if left unchecked! However nature as always comes to our rescue, and the effects of any contact with these two rapidly wear off once the victim is removed from their direct vicinity. Thereafter their stultifying influence is mitigated, sanity rapidly restored, memories of the ordeal fade, and full recovery is again assured. However, and as increasing numbers of AA members develop an immunity to their particular brand of fanaticism, the pair are becoming more and more desperate, their message correspondingly strident and extreme. Indeed no less a personage than Dr Bob (co-founder of AA) has recently been pronounced as “off the programme” by Harry K. Apparently the poor old doc was insufficiently attentive to the Big Book and therefore his recovery deficient (according to our 'expert'). Now we don't suppose Bob is going to be too worried about this (what with him having been dead for some time now) but he did manage to scratch together a few years sober before his passing, and he did help a few alcoholics along the way. Moreover he didn't feel compelled to shove his 'lack' of personality down anybody's throat, and there's still a few of us around who are rather glad he got together with Bill back in the day. So if we had to choose between Dr Bob's example and either/or both of the Harrys then it really is no contest. Bob's any time!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS There's been some debate in East Kent about what to do with this obnoxious pair. The answer is simple – and really rather obvious! Treat them like the 'drunks' they are! Standard procedure is:

1. Ask them to behave themselves - that they cease to disrupt the meeting (see anti-bullying guidelines)
2. If they fail to do so invite them to leave – although making it clear they will be welcomed back any time they are able to conduct themselves appropriately
3. If again they fail to grasp the basics of civilised conduct call the police in and have them removed

End of problem

Our “Thug of the Month” award goes to …....... Harry K (East Kent)

Yes. It's that time again - our national awards ceremony! And the winner standing head and shoulders above all the competition is Harry K – Thug of the Month! Indeed we have been quite inundated with votes for this particular candidate and we can no longer in all conscience ignore their many calls for his elevation to this quite prestigious position. The previous holder of this entirely ignoble title was of course Glynne M (West Kent) the erstwhile secretary of that intergroup (which still apparently has not learnt the lessons of the past with a significant number of cult members infesting their service structure) for her outstanding performance as the “Incredible Hulk” demonstrating at every opportunity her proclivity to bully her way to the desired result regardless of the consequences. However we feel that Harry K by far outshines her rather meagre efforts in his campaign to “reform” single-handedly the entire fellowship in that part of the country. He cuts a most dashing figure (or so we are told) and can always been seen clutching his no doubt well-thumbed copy of the Big Book which he brandishes frequently (and enthusiastically) in the direction of any hapless member who strays into his path. His prophetic abilities moreover are quite beyond dispute (although so far unproven) as increasing numbers of the brethren have had their “fortunes told” with the usual prediction that if they fail to follow his “directions” they will undoubtedly be cast into the pit of hell there to reside for all eternity. Brow-beating, lecturing, hectoring, finger-wagging, cross-sharing all form part of Harry K's formidable armoury for “carrying the message” to anybody whether they need it or not. Harry has a number of bases of operation from which he operates and where he instructs the heathen in the “True Way” (with occasional forays elsewhere amongst the “ungodly”) most notably the following:

Dover

Monday at 7.30pm
Rear Room
Our Lady of Dover RC Church
Roosevelt Road
Dover
All meetings ‘Open’
Contacts: Harry K …..Harry A

Herne Bay

Wednesday at 7.30pm
The Retreat, RC Church
2 Clarence Road
Herne Bay
All meetings ‘Open’
Contact: Harry K …....

(Both meetings incidentally have an outside affiliation – with the Primary Purpose movement - and therefore properly may no longer call themselves AA meetings – according to Tradition 3)

Additionally however he has recently “taken over” the role of “guru in residence” at the Westgate meeting:

WESTGATE MORNING BIG BOOK STUDY SUNDAY Meeting

10.00 Disabled Access: Full wheelchair access.

All mtgs 'open'.

Westgate & Westbrook Residence Association, 21 St Mildreds Rd

Although this is referred to as a Big Book study meeting attendees should rather expect to have to endure a solo discourse by Harry K (possibly assisted by his second-in-command Harry A) their success or failure being adjudged according to how closely they follow Harry K's unique interpretation of the recovery programme. In this connection it does seem however that Harry's edition of the Big Book is missing one chapter which would account no doubt for his rather “bombastic” and authoritarian style of communication: Chapter 7 – Working WITH Others. It is quite evident from his methods that he cannot have for a single moment even glanced at the aforementioned chapter nor have any clue as to its existence. We can only account for this by its entire omission from the tome in his possession. Nevertheless we have no doubt whatsoever (and given his almost universal popularity) that we are sure to hear MUCH MORE from – and about - Harry.... ad infinitum!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Whitstable (East Kent)/Ealing (West London)/Cambridge

The word is that the “pointy headed ones” from the Tankerton Tuesday cult group are 'sniffing' around Whitstable Wednesday AA meeting again. They've tried before to gain control of this group when one of their members became secretary, and shortly after which a whole succession of clones turned up at the meeting with the usual scripted sharing which went something like this: “blah blah …. my sponsor ….... blah blah blah … always do what my sponsor says... blah blah.....my sponsor took me through the steps...blah blah blah … happy, joyous and free.. blah blah blah.. sponsor this.....blah blah.... sponsor that.....blah blah...” and so on ad infinitum and ad nauseam. Otherwise the infestation in East Kent seems to be largely contained with the cult groups either stagnating or in decline. There is now a clear delineation between the cult (referred to variously as “Step Nazis”, “Taliban”, “Visions” (or even “Visionaries” … God help us!) or just plain “cult”) on one hand, and genuine AA on the other, a trend which we hope will continue long into the future.... And now ... talking of infestations....

… the news is that the Ealing Tuesday Green Man Lane (9.45am) cult meeting has closed due to lack of support. This is one of the thirteen or so (at the last count) meetings that 'Happy Dennis' (so-called) had started up to propagate his bizarre version of AA and its programme. Happy Dennis himself is sponsored by David “The Icon” C (successor to David B, founder of the Visions cult in the UK), “The Icon” being the author of a cult website promoted by Dennis in his very own printed literature (in probable breach of copyright), this “Little Yellow Book” being distributed not only in the Ealing meetings but even further afield eg. Eastbourne. We are informed that his efforts seem to focus rather on quantity than quality but even here many of the Ealing cult meetings fail to attract more than a handful of punters. The viability of the operation rests finally on the low rents charged for the use of the facilities. The landlords of the Bayham Rd location (Ealing Centre for Independent Living: http://www.ecil.org/) for example charge a mere £5.00 per session which makes it an attractive proposition for anyone wishing to start up their own franchise. We have also received evidence that Dennis is using contact information derived from Share magazine to further propagate his “message”. Incidentally we observe that the Happy One's response to the Eastbourne letter (see below) - when it was communicated to him as an email attachment – clearly demonstrates his irresponsible and arrogant attitude with regard to all matters pertaining to AA and its traditions. We quote:

“... the text [Eastbourne letter] you attached to the email has nothing to do with me. I don't see any reason why this is a matter I should be involved with in any way”

(This sounds like a response you'd get from a “Murdoch testimony” doesn't it! We know nothing, see nothing, hear nothing! Nothing to do with us!! A bad case of DENIAL perhaps!).

He goes on to argue that the 13 groups included in his very own Where to Find (printed and distributed in breach of the traditions) are “independent” groups. Now does he mean “autonomous” groups (but leaving out the second part of Tradition Four - a much favoured cult tactic!) or does he mean completely independent of AA (in which case why are these groups still presented in the local and national Where to Finds if they are in fact not AA groups at all? Another question for South Middlesex Intergroup to consider perhaps?)

.. and continuing with our whirlwind tour of GB (note: the cult is not a localised issue!)..... a communication from Cambridge. We quote from some email correspondence (with that individual's permission):

“Ok, so I was a bit nervous of letting you know about the Saturday meetings in Cambridge, but now I feel I have to - I went there in February as I was convinced nothing else would work. I was called by a seemingly very lovely lady and encouraged to attend the 'A Vision For You' meeting that night. Well! How loved I felt! How understood! How cared for! I continued going for a few weeks and attended the womens meetings on a Tuesday, the 'beginners' meetings on a Sunday and one 'Primary Purpose' meeting on a Monday night. It all seemed wonderful and I felt 'blessed' to have them, until...at one of the 'womens'' meetings, a clearly, very distressed and unhappy lady told about how she had succumbed to drink and how ashamed she was. Oh My God! I felt so sad for her but all she got were dagger glares, tuts and no sign of help whatsoever. That scared me to be honest. However, I continued. Surely it was just a bad night for everyone? The 'lovely lady' who had called me became my 'sponsor' and I began to go to her house for 'big book' study. Hmm. Interesting. she was full of 'love and laughter' but something felt wrong. This is about me stopping drinking yes? Not you telling me that the only way is God? Not you making me do 'homework' and telling me that there are 'many people who are not alcoholics as they do not have a spiritual issue'? These people must be ignored, hated, kept out of 'our meetings'. I was frankly terrified by the passion. I read the Big Book, I tried to understand these mad people. I couldn't. I was 'loved' by some, sneered at by others. I was hugged, ignored...I told everyone that I had been diagnosed as 'bi -polar, I was told that is wrong, you have nothing but a disease called 'alcoholism' stay away from these doctors. I had to leave. I cannot believe that such people are allowed to peddle their nonsense. I am never ever going anywhere near AA again. How can this be happening. I am more than happy for you to publish this.

…......”

(edited to preserve anonymity)

Cheerio

(our usual thanks to all contributors)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Tankerton (cult – East Kent) group outed!

A member of Alcoholics Anonymous has kindly brought to our attention a website news article (entitled: “How Alcoholics Anonymous can help” - although in this instance it might more aptly be renamed: “How the Tankerton group can help”, that is given the degree of self-promotion involved thereafter) which promotes the Tankerton cult group and even includes their own version of the Twelve Steps. This group (together with others in East Kent – see elsewhere on blog) is already notorious in the area for its activities, which include interweaving literature derived from non-AA sources into the readings employed at its meeting, and advocating moreover the much loved (much loved in the cult that is!) cult sponsorship 'DO EXACTLY WHAT YOUR SPONSOR SAYS' system. They have also produced a flier:

– note the use of the AA logo which is in breach of AA guidelines) publicising their group (this together with a map of its location) and which has formed a central part of this group's self-promotional campaign.

The article itself begins with a brief introduction relating to the death of a local man which is attributed to “his alcoholism and drug-taking”. We then go on to another account given by a “member of the Tankerton group of Alcoholics Anonymous” who outlines his own story (which in itself is fairly typical). However all of this seems merely a prelude to the 'advertisement' for the Tankerton group which then follows. Here it is explicitly acknowledged that this group pursued (and quite probably is still pursuing) a leafleting campaign publicising itself in local businesses. There is mention of the fact that there are actually other meetings in Kent (AA meetings that is) but of this there is no indication on the flier itself (perhaps they forgot). We are even treated here to a summary of the Tankerton group's meeting format before the article continues with a brief history of Alcoholics Anonymous. And now the coup de grace – and after such an authoritative rendition - we have the Tankerton group's very own version of the AA recovery programme! So impressed are we (NOT!) by this masterpiece that we simply couldn't resist reproducing it in full here. So for your edification (if not elucidation) - Voila!

“The Twelve Steps

1. Admit you are powerless to beat alcohol by yourself.

2. Recognise need for help from something bigger than you - a higher power.

3. Make a decision to seek help from your higher power.

4. Draw up an honest appraisal of yourself and things you have done in your life.

5. Admit to yourself and someone you trust what is in your appraisal.

6. Became willing to have your higher power remove your defects of character.

7. Ask this higher power of yours to remove your shortcomings.

8. List persons you have harmed.

9. Make amends where possible.

10. Continue to monitor self.

11. Seek help and direction in your life through prayer and meditation of your style and choosing.

12. Carry this message of recovery to other alcoholics.”

And there you have it! Now for our part we've got to admit (and contrary to our previously expressed negative attitude) that this is a blinding version and should be adopted post haste by Alcoholics Anonymous in place of its own rather timid 'interpretation' of the recovery programme. There really is no need for all that “God rot” anyway – and of course the main advantage of this particular formulation is that you can quite easily substitute the word “sponsor” for where it refers to “higher power” and Bob's your uncle – you've got the whole cult package nicely wrapped up! Genius! Pure genius! … Well maybe not.

What do you reckon?

Cheerio

The Fellas

Birchington Mini Convention (East Kent)

The word is that the convenor for this year's Birchington Mini Convention is a cult member - a regular at both cult groups - Tankerton Tuesday and Kearsney Wednesday. Still it should greatly simplify the choice of speakers for the event - we predict contributions from the local cult groups, maybe a showing or two from the Medway (Strood Thursday et al) gang, and perhaps even an import from the "smoke", with perhaps a suitably "co-opted" local "bleeding deacon" whose ego has been suitably massaged in advance, just to lend the occasion that touch of AA authenticity. Or then again perhaps it would just be easier to play a few CDs from the "fly-in" circuit speaker brigade and maybe abandon the convention altogether. Whatever happens we hope that the attendees at the event have a strong stomach - and an inordinate capacity to listen to prolonged, identical sharing as clone after clone rehearses those well known cult tag lines, demonstrating thereby an almost complete eradication of independent thought: "My sponsor says.....", "....happy, joyous and free....", "misery is optional" blah blah blah ad nauseam. That's all it takes to recover folks! - the ability to string a few clichés together, and play the part to the bitter end!!

Enjoy

Cheerio

The Fellas

Cult meetings - East and North Kent

East

Canterbury: Big Book Step & Tradition
Friday 19.30 Friends Meeting House, The Friars

Hythe
Monday 20.00 Methodist Church, Rampart Rd

Kearsney (Dover): Into Action
Wednesday 19.30 Kearsney Manor Nursing Home, Alkham Valley Rd
(used to be quite an active cult centre but operations seems to have switched to Tankerton Tuesday)

Margate
Friday 19.45 St John's Community Centre, St John's Church, Victoria Rd
(some cult influence here but group appears to have lost direction – formed a kind of once-a-month- hybrid with Al Anon participation – in breach of AA traditions)

Tankerton
Tuesday 19.45 Tankerton Evangelical Church
　
North

Beckenham: Primary Purpose Big Book Step Study
Wednesday 19.45 St Edmunds Church Hall, Village Way
(affiliated with the Primary Purpose movement - included in a number of their directories)

Bexleyheath: Road to Recovery
Monday 19.30 The Booth, The Salvation Army, Broadway

Bromley: Primary Purpose Big Book Study
Monday 19.45 Family Church, The Green Downham Way
(affiliated with the Primary Purpose movement - included in a number of their directories)

Sidcup: Into Action Multi-Mtg
Thursday 19.45 Emmanuel Methodist Church, Hadlow Rd

Sidcup: Into Action Multi-Mtg
Sunday 19.45 Emmanuel Methodist Church, Hadlow Rd
(both the Sidcup meetings form part of the Primary Purpose network (in breach of AA traditions of non-affiliation) – they carry links to this on their website, together with the rather unconvincing and disingenuous disclaimer that such inclusions do not constitute an endorsement, or otherwise, of this movement. Briefly, the Primary Purpose agenda is essentially predicated upon a series of lies – that the AA message has become "garbled", that this is a result of an influx of "treatment centre" members who treat AA meetings as therapy sessions, and that as a result recovery rates have fallen, and all this despite evidence (independent) to the contrary.