And now over to East Sussex Intergroup.....

We received the following information from a correspondent in the area:

"I live in Eastbourne and have been dismayed by the emergence of three new groups within the last 10 months or so. They all appeared to be running along the lines described on AACultwatch. Recently, at least one of these groups has closed due to lack of participants, but at least one has made its way into the East Sussex Intergroup list of meetings. There may still be another one operating - these two run under the name "There is a solution".

These groups have been a frequent topic for discussion at group consciences during the last six months (I regularly go to most meetings in Eastbourne) and have sparked off lively debate at Intergroup meetings. Indeed, this coming Tuesday (Sept. 15) there will be an extraordinary Intergroup meeting to air the matter after the renewed decision to include the Friday "There is a solution" meeting to the meeting list.

I hope that you will update the "Cult: Where to find" and "Area news" sections to include the "There is a solution" meeting in Eastbourne on Fridays at 20.00. The meeting was held at the Oasis Centre, Christ Church, Seaside Road, Eastbourne, but will more next Friday to Elim Church, Hartfield Road, Eastbourne."

Subsequently we learnt that the Intergroup had an:

"......Extraordinary meeting of East Sussex Intergroup last Tuesday (15/09) ........, but what I have heard so far is that the Hastings meeting is now off the Intergroup meeting list with a 2/3 majority and no abstentions, whereas the Eastbourne meetings still stay on (both votes failed to reach the 2/3 majority by a vote or two - with one or two abstentions)."

It is not clear yet whether this removal of the Hastings group from the Intergroup meeting list also means that they have been effectively removed both from the Where to Find and the withdrawal of the right to have GSR participation etc.

However this action clearly indicates that IT IS POSSIBLE to remove a group from an Intergroup (kindly take note other Intergroups - especially West Kent - which is riddled with cult members!!). We trust this action sends out a message LOUD and CLEAR that a group cannot behave any way it likes and expect to continue in this fashion indefinitely. Frequently the (usually misquoted) defence of Tradition Four (group autonomy) has been used as a justification for all kinds of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour. What the cult groups have failed to realise up until now is that other groups too have the right of group autonomy, and they too can make decisions guided solely by their ultimate authority - and that one of those decisions may now include the right to remove a rogue element from the Fellowship, one which does NOT act for the welfare of the AA member nor for the Fellowship as a whole. Of course such a decision cannot stop a group from operating but at least they can no longer claim the support of AA. We fully expect that they will continue to "trade" off the AA name and reputation for as long as possible but finally they have no future.
　
Cheers

The Fellas

More cult meetings - England and Scotland

BEDFORDSHIRE

Toddington: Primary Purpose
Saturday 19.00 Methodist Church Hall, High St
(Note: appears in both AA WTF and Primary Purpose directories. Until quite recently ran its own website but the account has now been suspended whilst being investigated for "phishing" activities)

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Cambridge: Primary Purpose
Monday 19.45 St Paul's Church, Hills Rd

ESSEX

Goodmayes: Altered Attitudes
Tuesday 20.00 All Saints Church Hall, Goodmayes Lane

Barking: Big Book Study (The Way Out)
Saturday 20.00 Salvation Army, Ripple Rd

YORKSHIRE

Sheffield: Big Book Study
Monday 19.00 Pitsmoor Rd
(Note: this group appears in both AA WTF and in Primary Purpose directories)

SCOTLAND

ABERDEEN

Aberdeen: Big Book Workshop
Thursday 19.30 St Peter's Church, Chapel Close, Castlegate
(Note: appears in both AA WTF and Primary Purpose directories)

GLASGOW

Priesthill: Big Book Study
Wednesday 20.00 Priesthill Community Centre, Priesthill Rd
(Note: this group appears in both AA WTF and Primary Purpose directories)

LANARKSHIRE

Motherwell: Primary Purpose Big Book
Monday 20.00 Motherwell Baptist Church, Windmill St
(Note: this group appears in both AA WTF and in Primary Purpose directories)
　
This section contains reference to other groups that have been drawn to our attention but about which we have relatively little information as yet:

EAST SUSSEX

Eastbourne: There is a Solution
Friday 19.30 Oasis Centre, Christ Church, Seaside Rd - but moving to Elim Church, Hartfield Rd
　
　
Finally, groups which carry the titles: "Road to Recovery", "Primary Purpose", "Beginners", "Newcomers", "Vision for You" should be viewed with some circumspection (though it should be emphasised here that the use of these epithets does not necessarily imply a cult connection). However, cult members are very keen on getting to newcomers quickly, and focus a considerable amount of their energy on targeting the most vulnerable within the Fellowship. They are therefore very enthusiastic about setting up meetings specifically focussed on this "target market". It is our view that ALL AA meetings exist to assist the newcomer and that there should be no necessity for these so-called "specialist" meetings - this same principle applies to so-called "non-restrictive" meetings, which similarly break the most fundamental AA Tradition - that of the sole membership requirement.