Good news! Cult meetings fold!

Yep! We're always delighted to announce the demise of a cult meeting but even more so when two bite the dust!

Guildford: Beginners (see our Cult Where to Find (GB) under Surrey – no connection with Guildford Young Persons of the same day incidentally) has shut down as has Herne Bay: Big Book Salvation (East Kent) (presumably because of a shortage of members who either needed or wanted to be saved!)

The latter group, of course, is associated with a certain 'cokehead' who goes by the name of Harry K (Remember him? .. of course you do! Who could forget such sartorial elegance!). We say 'cokehead' because not only is AA blessed (?) with his presence but also seemingly CA (Cocaine Anonymous) where he hangs about with another of his ilk, Richard E (yet another recipient of our“thug of the month” award... Is this pure coincidence??). We use the term 'cokehead' because some doubts have been expressed in certain quarters as to whether these two are even the real deal when it comes to lapping up the 'sauce' so beloved of “real” alcoholics …... although on this matter we can, of course, express no view …. 'Nuff said! We are informed, however, that CA is apparently prone to a particularly virulent form of recovery dogmatism (accompanied by an equally rabid brand of despotism!) which both Harry and Richard are most keen to promulgate …. both in their equally unique but repugnant ways! Strange to say their form of evangelism is not going down well amongst seasoned AA members who can spot a con artist a mile away (with the exception of Harry A (or Harry the Handbag … don't ask!) ….. who's hopped on the bandwagon to further his own control freak agenda). Unfortunately the same cannot be said for newcomers who may be somewhat more susceptible to their glib allure (is that the right word?).

But with every silver lining there comes a cloud in the shape of Esher Green Saturday evening meeting. More on this at a later date ….

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

'Batman' hits the mean streets of Gotham City!

Holy Cow! Commissioner Gordon is in trouble again! The Bat signal is emblazoned across the skies and the Caped Crusader has to step into the breach once more! Well when we say the 'mean streets of Gotham City' what we actually mean are the relatively quiet byways and highways of Whitstable. And when we say 'Batman' we are of course referring to Harry K, the self appointed saviour of ALL of AA in East Kent. Harry, it would seem, graced the Whitstable Wednesday meeting last week with his presence and gave yet another resounding rendition of that time honoured cult mantra: “We - or in Harry's case – I am always right and you (AA members generally) are always wrong!”. The meeting was treated to yet another by now infamous harangue on Harry's favourite subject - 'de Big Book' - whilst simultaneously affording him every opportunity to show off his rather eccentric choice in street wear together no doubt with his extraordinarily over-bloated ego! Still the show must go on and there is no doubt that Harry is a trooper of the old school – he never misses an opportunity to 'perform' especially in front of a nearly captive audience (although we do hear that a couple of members quite overcome (by nausea) were obliged to leave the venue before the entire performance was finished). Having reduced his listeners to a near comatose state our hero returned triumphantly to the Bat Cave where he doubtless met up with his side-kick Robin (aka Harry A or Harry the Handbag) who rather mysteriously was absent from the main event. We can only assume that Wednesday is Harry's' night for staying in to wash his super hero outfit – or maybe he sorts out his handbag – who can say!. But 'Batman' is very much in demand not only in AA but also CA - so we hear - carrying the sickness (oops sorry!) … carrying the MESSAGE to all and sundry (whether they want it or not). Of course the private life of this bane of those who fail to 'follow the ordained path' is, as you would expect of a super hero, somewhat shrouded in mystery. However we have through our tireless investigations managed to elicit some few titbits which we are only to happy to share with you our indefatigable readers. Apparently – no word of a lie – Harry K used to drink …. SAKI! We're not quite sure if this establishes 'Batman' as an alcoholic of the more discerning type or whether there was simply nothing else available. Either way this surely must demonstrate that he is after all rather 'special and different' and not to be included amongst the rest of us, the mere 'hoi polloi'! Perhaps it was this diet of Japanese rice wine which had an especially deleterious impact subsequently on his powers of discrimination. Unfortunately 'Batman' suffers from occasional lapses which lead to an inability to distinguish between other people's property and his own. Indeed such an oversight led to him being dismissed by an employer for shop lifting not so long ago. Ah well! But perhaps Harry should not be judged like other men. Indeed it may well be the case that he has attained to such a lofty spiritual height he now falls into the antinomian category – those who are not longer bound by mere conventional morality! Ah if only …...! This moral blindness also seemingly extends into other spheres of Harry K's life but we are far too gentleman/womanly to go into those here … or for the time being anyway! 

Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous …. zap!.... kaboom!!.... wam!!!)

The latest addition to our Cult Where to Find in Great Britain: Westgate-on-Sea

(and now revealed as the location of the Batcave - the haunt of the Caped Crusader and his sidekick Robin – aka Harry K and Harry A (or Harry the Handbag)

Westgate-on-Sea: Morning Big Book Study

Sunday 10.00 The Bake House, 21 St Mildreds Rd

[Contact: comes under The Bake and Ale House]

It's interesting (even significant) to note that this meeting (The Bake AND ALE House to give it its full name) is being held in what is called a 'micropub'. Their 'blurb' informs us thus:

“Since birth, The Bake & Alehouse in Westgate-on-Sea has sold over 269 different Real Ales, including 80 Shilling (4.60%), Brentwood Blonde (3.80%), Dr. Sunshine's (4.20%), Adrimal's IPA (4.00%), Thoroughly Modern Mild (6.50%), WGV (4.00%), Teck'T T'Ride (4.50%) and One Hop - Bramling Cross (4.50%)”

So any members out there who still fancy themselves as ale connoisseurs can maybe nip along, have a 'swift half' (or more), and then there's a handy meeting right on the doorstep to confess your relapse! But it'll have to be the following week - the pub opens at 12 on a Sunday! But ideal for newcomers we would have thought! And so convenient!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

From 'tat' to 'tats'

A member with a slight tendency towards lateral thinking (and in connection with our previous entries on the subject of 'AA related' tat ) sent in the following link: see here 

And some examples:

As you may observe at least some of these have modest artistic merit (although quite why anybody would want to have AA insignia indelibly marked upon their bodies is quite beyond us) and therefore may be regarded as one step up from genuine 'tat'. We do recall however that this is a practice employed by some members of the so-called Sponsorship (cult) Group (New Jersey) who have the name of the group tattooed about their persons - somewhat unimaginative and rather more reminiscent of 'branding' cattle we would have thought but then these little 'doggies' are 'barking' mad anyway! 

We've also recently received an enquiry following our entry on the subject of the two thugs currently operating in East Kent (Westgate-on-Sea Big Book Study – Sunday) as to whether there any plans to bring out '”bobbleheaded dolls” (so beloved of Clancy fans!) of the two Harrys (aka Batman and Robin). Our correspondent writes: 

“Christmas is coming and I want to buy some for all the people I hate or for the dog to chew!” 

Phew! They must really have it in for them! And to give one to a dog to chew? We think this might constitute animal cruelty and then we'd have the RSPCA on our backs! Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your point of view) there are no immediate plans to bring out such items. Our contact will simply have to find an alternatively horrific 'gift' with which to punish their enemies and/or entertain the dog. Any ideas! 

Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous – and free of any 'brand' marks!) 

PS Our thanks to our correspondents as usual

Westgate-on-Sea Sunday Big Book Study

Well the East Kent thugs are back in business! We are referring of course to Harry A (aka Harry the Handbag aka Robin the Boy Wonder) and Harry K (aka Batman) who operate out of the above meeting. (We'll be adding this to our Cult Where to Find shortly). They run the operation like their own private fiefdom and God help anybody who dares to forget this. A newcomer who unfortunately was unaware of the 'rules' for sharing was promptly reprimanded by these two 'gentlemen' for failing to comply after which all hell broke loose. Arguments flew from side to side with one member demanding a group conscience to address the issue. Both Harrys, being control freaks, did not like this idea at all and attempted to silence the opposition. Fortunately for our two thugs the majority of the group had been well trained and knew better than to rock the boat. However more than one member pointed out to our deadly duo something of the error of their ways to which Harry K (Batman) attempted to raise that defence employed by bullies the world over - that no one understood him (in his case because of the way he spoke - he's an American). He was quickly disabused of this notion by one of the dissenters. It was not his accent, he was informed, but what he said which constituted the offence.

We expect to see this meeting appear shortly in the Primary Purpose directory (an outside organisation and one already excluded by AA (Ireland). As you may recall both Batman and Robin's telephone numbers have been used in this directory as contact details for other groups run by the Primary Purpose 'franchise' including Herne Bay (Wednesday). Previously, when quizzed about this association at East Kent Intergroup, Harry A (the Handbag) initially denied all knowledge and then claimed that someone had 'stolen' his number and added it to the Primary Purpose directory without his permission! Yeah.... we believe you.... of course we do …. 

More to come on this …. we're sure …. 

Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Herne Bay Big Book Salvation (Wednesday)

Yes! They really call themselves that! This meeting (still listed in the AA Where to Find despite being affiliated with the Primary Purpose movement – an outside organisation) is, however, on the way out! Since the departure of the local 'guru' Harry K, who has gone on to pastures new (ie. Cocaine Anonymous) - his exit much encouraged by the locals who had had quite enough of his brand of 'recovery' - the group has kind of …well …. disintegrated. But that's what happens when you cut off the head of a snake. It wriggles around a bit and looks like it might have some life in it but it's just plain had it! Herne Bay used to be a bog standard AA meeting. Its members helped newcomers (and themselves) when they could and otherwise just got on with it. No fanfares .. no fuss …. no Big Book 'experts', no 'personailty' (?) speakers, no work guides, no lectures, no 'know-it-all' sponsors …. just plain ordinary AA. But then the Tankerton/Canterbury Friday (cult) crew decided that Herne Bay were doing it all WRONG. They just hadn't GOT IT, and so they decided to stick their oar in - and thus began the process of disintegration. Then the 'messiah' arrived in the shape of a pair of carpet slippers - Harry K (together with his side-kick Harry A (otherwise known as Harry the Handbag – don't ask!!)) He was even more sure that they hadn't GOT IT and proceeded to bring THE WORD to the benighted heathen! Finally the heathen had had quite enough of Harry's 'missionary' work and invited him to go forth and multiply!  Of course in the good old days we would have just popped him in a pot and had him for supper … Ah! Happy times! Still …. mustn't complain. CA's loss is our gain! And maybe Herne Bay can be resurrected in its original form and return to being just an ordinary, cult free AA meeting.

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Breaking news! Share magazine actually prints something worth reading!

Yes. It's true! We cannot tell a lie. But you could have knocked us over with a feather! Now we must confess we'd hardly describe ourselves as habitual readers of this production. Indeed the only time we have recourse to this particular journal is if we're suffering from an unusually bad case of insomnia. Experience has taught us that merely to peruse this journal for a matter of moments induces a kind of coma, an effect that could not be equalled by even the most powerful of chemical soporifics. Indeed so bland generally are its contents that even the most dedicated and enthusiastic of its readers could not possibly remain awake beyond the five minute mark! A major contributor to this effect is the many articles emanating from Plymouth. Indeed large parts of the magazine are frequently devoted to outpourings from this cult group, (Road to Recovery) whose offerings consist mainly of the usual homilies to their GOD the SPONSOR”; he or she who MUST BE OBEYED. So repetitious is this mantra that a kind of drowsiness descends upon those so exposed, an effect we can only attribute to the sheer mind-numbing tedium induced by its constant recitation. Occasionally this narcoleptic tendency can partly be offset by recourse to the regular ravings of Dennis from Ealing (yet another sponsee of David “The Icon” C) who seems to have been well and truly “rocketed” - although no one is entirely sure where! So you can imagine our … well shock and awe … upon reading this next contribution:

“IN RESPONSE TO HARRY A

I would like to reply to the article from Harry A, 'Be clever enough to be stupid' (September 2012 Share). I found it very thought-provoking. Firstly I was wondering how he managed 25 years in AA before 'Big Book thumper' 'in Dallas, Texas, [Primary Purpose cult] his words, not mine, entered his life. A man armed with the facts? Wasn't anyone armed with the facts before then?

I found it very insulting too (do I say it? Yes, I will), to mainstream AA. All these so-called special and different AA types that only have 'Rolls-Royce' sponsors, in my humble opinion, are run on ego and are bullies hiding under the cloak of AA.

These men 'armed with facts' intimidate vulnerable, sick people and continue to tell AA members to come off their medication. This is not the AA I was brought up with and love. My sponsor walks beside me, suggests and doesn't bully and has taken me through the Steps from the Big Book.

These men 'armed with facts' should remember Tradition One: 'Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on AA unity.' Bill W said AA will fall apart from within. I pray that this will not happen, but if certain behaviour from certain groups continues, Bill W's word will become a reality. I don't want this to happen because if AA dies I will surely die too. What is the solution?

…........ (14 years sober)”

Well after picking ourselves off the floor we continued to stare at the letter in shocked disbelief. How on earth .. we asked ourselves.. had a piece of genuine honesty found its way into the pages of Share? This must be a misprint! We could only conclude the editor must be on holiday and that one of his/her mischievous minions had slipped this by under the Share radar. The editing process usually ensures that only the most 'politically correct' pieces find their way into these hallowed pages (?). Oh surely there will be hell to pay when the “cat” returns to find this particular mouse at play! Hardly daring to tear our eyes away from this missive with trembling hands we carefully applied the scissors and subtracted the section from the remainder of the page. One of the office juniors was despatched post haste to acquire the most expensive picture frame he could find and in no time at all it was suspended in all its glory, adorned in gold upon the office wall. Silently we gazed with adoration at its syllabic magnificence. Indeed so striking was its effect it might only be compared to the Second Coming! Even now as these words are being typed we glance upwards from time to time to take inspiration and comfort from one who has dared to speak the truth! Long may they live and prosper!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous – and still just about hanging on!)

PS Our usual thanks to the member who pointed us in the direction of this masterpiece!

Bullying in East Kent

We quote:

“Dear fellas.

At last weeks East Kent Intergroup AGM which I attended, there was a report from a woman who had been subjected to bullying by a male member of the fellowship in East Kent.

This is not a new problem and one where it was suggested that guideline 17 be read out at the beginning of every meeting. If matters continued, outside organisations like the police should be involved.

What is noted is a group member can call a group conscience at any time during a meeting but what also should be noted is this bully sometimes corners his female victims outside meetings.

The treasurer of the intergroup also read out an email from someone who decided to leave a group where this bully was bullying female members. It was sent to the treasurer as he was requesting a receipt for a contribution but was leaving as a group treasurer.

The content was :-

My Dear …...

Just a question of a receipt for £### sent by me on behalf of ###### Wed.

I have now left this meeting as I could no longer accept the personal behaviour of a member.

He was someone I was powerless over,who I come to realise I certainly could not change.

He was a bully to female members and that was unacceptable, that I found quite shocking because he should of known better, and was talking the talk but his ego it would appear,stopped him walking the walk, if you can understand. I also know that he was economical with the truth.(Dallas)[a reference to the Primary Purpose movement - see below]

Any way mate that was my shit and I decided that it was best to go before I smacked him in mouth! not PC AND IN NO WAY SPIRITUAL 'EH?.

This bullies behaviour is not acceptable and he evidently has bullied officers of EKIG as well.

What was also shocking on the evening is directly after this was read out a member of another Group felt it an appropriate time to advertise in a 'matter of fact' way a forthcoming convention.

Eh HELLO! - it seems some group members in EKIG think its OK to gloss over this behaviour.

I don't know what's more shocking - the bully, them or both.

Please can you publicise this on your website - for the record this bully is an American who clearly sponsors himself.

Women - please watch out for him and remember he is a bully and his behaviour is unacceptable.

Keep up the good work fellas”

Comment: Well three guesses who this might be! No.. Give up! OK then.... It's none other than the local guru-in-residence and Big Book aficionado (or one of them at least!) Harry K... aka Batman. However Harry's reputation has spread far and wide already so this is hardly news! Still we're happy to do our bit in bringing such malefactors to the fellowship's attention. It is so often the case that those who preach the loudest seldom live up even to the most modest of expectations .. and Harry is no exception! Still the word is that he's defected to Cocaine Anonymous where apparently he's busy lecturing them on recovery … leather bound Big Book and all.... As they say - our gain is their loss!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Guidelines are all very well! But they're not much use unless they're IMPLEMENTED!

PPS Apparently Dover Monday is still ruminating about whether to break its affiliation with the Primary Purpose movement. Its group details are still listed with this outside organisation (together with the contact details for both Harry K and Harry A (otherwise known as Harry the Handbag aka Robin – see Batman above)). Until such time as it does Dover Monday may not refer to itself as an AA meeting. Herne Bay Wednesday however has decided to remain listed with Primary Purpose and similarly therefore may no longer be considered - or refer to itself as - an AA meeting.

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)

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

WESTGATE MORNING BIG BOOK STUDY SUNDAY Meeting (East Kent IG)

Well it would seem that one - or possibly two - of the East Kent "Harrys" (they're multiplying at an alarming rate!) has set up shop at the above mentioned meeting. Both of these are widely acknowledged as 'experts' on the recovery programme of Alcoholics Anonymous (as indeed they will unceasingly remind anyone who happens to stumble into their path!). It would seem that the rest of the fellowship in East Kent (and even adjacent intergroups) have been barking up the wrong tree completely and have somehow managed to stray from the “Road of Happy Destiny”. Fortunately for us (and here you cannot even begin to comprehend the depth our gratitude!) 'Batman and Robin' have now come to the rescue and have set about with considerable vigour to guide us back to safety. But enough already of the irony! This meeting joins a number of others in East Kent where the cult has set up Primary Purpose franchises. viz.

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 of these groups have formed affiliations with an outside enterprise ie. the Dallas Primary Purpose gang – a semi commercial operation (does a nice little sideline in leather bound Big Books – a snip at £40 so we hear!) which presents - additionally - entirely misleading information on AA recovery rates. The Westgate meeting does not yet appear in their directory (but this surely is merely an omission on the part of the Caped Crusader and his 'humble' side kick - soon to be rectified!).

So if you want to get the 'low down' on how to do the programme PROPERLY then get on down to one of these meetings and join the 'enlightened ones' - or even: “AS HARRY SEES IT!”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)