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)

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)