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MILTON KEYNES The AA message of hope arrived in Milton Keynes during the mid-1970s, the first meeting being held in Stony Stratford. It was attended by three people. Members from surrounding groups supported this newly formed group in the beginning and, by 1979, four separate meetings were established in the area. In 1980 the four groups amalgamated into AA Milton Keynes, holding two meetings a week in the city centre. It was there that the foundations of a strong and healthy branch of the Fellowship were forged. As well as the AA message being carried to the suffering alcoholic, much time and effort was put into PI work - details of contact telephone numbers appeared in local newspapers, and doctors’ surgeries, the hospital, Schools, etc. were targeted with information. In late 1984 AA Milton Keynes applied to join SMIG. In 1987 AA Milton Keynes moved to its present premises in Bletchley, and in 1989 a meeting was opened at the David Baxter Centre in Central Milton Keynes. In 1992 the Stony Stratford group was formed. Also in 1992 Woodhill Prison was built within the city boundary and a Prison AA meeting was organised by various local members. This meeting still continues to the present time. As we enter the new Millennium there is now a meeting held every day within Milton Keynes, including a lunch-time group. Experiences, strengths and hopes are shared regularly, and the emphasis is on recovery in AA and working the programme. Lesley A. (February 2000) Details of AA Milton Keynes groups belonging to SMIG are given below. MILTON KEYNES Sunday (11 am) Bletchley Old People’s Rest Centre (rear of Library), Westfield Road. Formed December, 1995 In 1995 there were only three meetings in Milton Keynes: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A huge gap had resulted from the closure of the old Monday meeting earlier that year. Discussion of how another meeting might get under way was a regular feature of the Prison Rota meetings - which drew its members from all of the three groups. During October of that year, John visited Ireland and was amazed to find that even small towns (of 500-1000 people) had meetings every day of the week; and often two on Sunday - which many newcomers find tobe a particularly difficult day. Together with Hubert, who had recently moved to Milton Keynes from Galway and who missed his Sunday home group back home, the Sunday meeting was born. The first meeting was held on the second Sunday of December. At a short Group Conscience afterwards, we adopted a simple format of Chapter 5, chair and then opening up the meeting to give maximum time for sharing. Des was a regular tea-maker for over two years. From day one we have always had tea before and after the meeting so that nervous newcomers can be made welcome, and all of us have the chance to share with another alcoholic. Many thanks to Chris and Ian who have also given extended service in this post. The smallest meeting (to date) has been two members and a newcomer (in May 1997), with over 30 at some meetings earlier this year. Whatever the numbers we try to have everything ready a half-hour beforehand so that visitors and members can be welcomed as they arrive. Many thanks to Frank, Nicky, Jackie, Vince, Joe, Ernie and all the members who do regular service. As I write, I pray for another seven members whom we hope will find their way back to us some day. John M. (August 1999) MILTON KEYNES Monday (8 pm) Bletchley Old People’s Rest Centre (rear of Library), Westfield Road. The Group moved to its present venue in December 1989. Originally the meetings were held on Monday and Friday nights. About three years ago it was agreed we merged the two meetings, resulting in the single Monday meeting. This has proved successful. The group has a nucleus of 12-14 members, but regularly welcomes visitors increasing the attendance to around 25. All meetings are open. We emphasise the importance of spreading the message to the newcomer and working the programme, one day at a time. Lesley A. (February 2001) MILTON KEYNES Tuesday (11.30 am) Community Centre, 23 London Road, Stony Stratford Formed February 1999: Closed 2003 Liz, Sandra, Sheila and Agnes started our first week-day lunch time meeting in the Bletchley Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday, February 18, 1999. It was well attended but so very cold. We lasted till our second winter when, in order to inject some comfort into our meeting, we moved to Stony Stratford Community Centre on February 1, 2000. Changing the day now means that in the Milton Keynes area we have a meeting every day. We have grown to eight group members and work well together to take care of our group and carry the AA message. In 2003 the meeting closed as the room was no longer available Liz ( Spring 2006 ) MILTON KEYNES Tuesday (8 pm) Closed Women’s Non-Restrictive Heelands Meeting Place, Milton Keynes Formed October 2001 The group started out with just three members. By the year’s end it had grown to six and, by early 2003, to 14. Kate, March 2003 The Group continues to thrive into 2005 , and now has 14 members, with many newcomers and a strong core membership of regular attendees. New women that have come to the meeting, have expressed an appreciation of having a meeting with their own sex, before branching out and attending mixed meetings. Sarah ( January 2006 ) MILTON KEYNES Wednesday (8 pm) Room 8, Rear of David Baxter Centre, 63 North Seventh St., Central Milton Keynes Disabled access, no smoking. All meetings open. MILTON KEYNES Thursday (5 pm) Old Peoples Rest Centre,Bletchley. Formed November 2003 In 2003 the Tuesday morning smoking meeting in Stony Stratford had to close because the room was no longer available. Three members, Agnes, Pat and Liz wanted a smokimg meeting, so Thursday Teatime was started and opened in Novemebr 2003. Two happy years of smoking and then the room was made " no smoking " …. a day at a time we manage ! We now have seven members and attendance varies from six to sixteen. It is a relaxed meeting, and we are a friendly happy group. Liz ( Spring 2006 ) MILTON KEYNES Thursday (8 pm) Community Centre (opposite Working Men’s Club), 23 London Road, Stony Stratford Formed August 1992 The meeting was formed in 1992, splitting from the Wednesday night group due to new non-smoking regulations in their room. It is a smoking meeting. Original group members were Agnes, Dick, Jim, Shirley, Michael, Liz and Sue. The format decided at the first group conscience (and still the same today) were: an open meeting on the first Thursday of each month. Then we have alternating meetings of Chair, Step, Chair, Discussion. The meeting starts at 8 pm and closes at 9.30 pm. Attendance has varied from ten to forty with a core membership of about six members. Shirley (November 1999) MILTON KEYNES Big Book, Friday (8 pm) Christ the Cornerstone Church, Saxon Gate, Central Milton Keynes Formed June 1999 The group was formed by Dave, Tim, Plunkett. The numbers have slowly built up and are now 15-20. We have an active committee with all posts filled. December 2000 MILTON KEYNES Saturday (8 pm) Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Central Milton Keynes All meetings open. Disabled access; no smoking | |||
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