BRACKLEY

Thursday (7.45 pm)

Methodist Church Hall, Brackley, Northants.

Formed Autumn 1981

The first secretary of the group was Rod who reported to the December 1981 SMIG meeting that “this is a new group and financially OK in these early days”. In March 1982, the group reported a fall in attendance and requested support. “In reply to a question as to why Brackley was affiliated to SMIG as it is in Northants, it was established they had requested this.

A suggestion was made that before a new group started, Intergroup should perhaps be contacted so that attention could be drawn to the recommended Guide Lines; however it was pointed out that a group did not need Intergroup’s permission to get going! Nevertheless, it was agreed that such a contact could be mutually beneficial.”

In November 1999, Val E. added that the group has continued over the years to be a small friendly, well-supported and self-sufficient group. In the early 1990s the attendance was higher as it was frequented by a group of wonderful recovering Americans from the nearby Upper Heyford Air Base who contributed from their Big Book study knowledge and much more besides. When they departed in the mid-1990s they were greatly missed but the group continued to function and nowadays carries the message to those still suffering, with meetings averaging 10-15 newcomers and grateful recovering alcoholics.