1945 – December 20th – Rowland Hazard dies (he carried the Oxford Group message to Ebby) Rowland’s story is a major turning point for AA. In essence, he contributed to the Second Step. Although never joining AA he stayed sober as a member of The Oxford Group.
31st March 1947 is when the first recorded meeting in the UK, room 202 at The Dorchester Hotel, London – was held by Grace O along with Canadian Bob, Chris B from Hendon, Pat G from California, Tony F, an Irish Airman from Finchley, Sergeant Vernon W, an American Serviceman who had found A.A. in Bermuda, Ward (Flash) W, and Norman R-W who was still drinking were in attendance. Pic of Grace O:-
1947 – The second Meeting was at the Dominion Theatre cafe a week later. Needing a regular venue, meetings began to be held at ‘Canadian’ Bob’s home in Mortlake, Kew. They later moved to Lottie T’s home in St John Wood when Canadian Bob was away.
1947 – The A.A. preamble was created by The Grapevine magazine and approved by Bill W. Below is a snippet regarding its creation.
1948 – Brothers Bill and Roland H set up the first AA telephone helpline from their small office in the London Fruit Exchange with the number BIS 4980. Pre-dating the Samaritans by five years, it is possible that it was the first crisis helpline of its kind in the United Kingdom.
1950 – Dr Bob – Co-Founder of A.A. died on 16th November.
1950 – Ilford/Romford began in a member’s home. Learn more – click here
1953 – April of this year Bill W and Tom Powers published the Twelve and Twelve.
1954 – Hank P – New York’s Number 2 and contributor to the big book passed away.
1954, September 17, Bill D (Man in the Bed) died in Akron, Ohio.
1955 – 15th December, Grace O who held the first U.K. meeting in her Dorchester Hotel, passed away at 55 years old.
1958 – Not East London – The first English Prison Group began in Wakefield Prison.
1958 – Limehouse group opened at St Anne’s Three Colts Street, E14
1959 – London Where to Find.
1959 – Ilford/Romford group moved to premises in Ilford.
1961 – Ilford meeting opened at The Ilford Pioneer, Super Market, Ilford Lane.
1962 – 1963 Limehouse Group moved to East London Tabernacle – Mile End.
1965 – Ilford moved to new premises – see advertisement:-
1965 – Toynbee Hall – Opened and became the longest-running meeting in East London until its doors closed. Click on the link to see more.
1966 – The man who carried the message to Bill W, Ebby Thacher passed away on 21st March. Below is a picture of Ebby and Bill.
1969 – Meeting opened at St. Clements Hospital, Bow Road.
1971 – A.A. Co-Founder Bill W passed away.
1972 –Date East Ham Monday evening meeting began and is still going today. Address below.
1972 – members of the Toynbee Hall group arranged the 25th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous in the U.K.
1973 – Came to Believe was published.
1974 – The London intergroup became too large, splitting into regions.
East London Intergroup’s First Chair was ‘Young’ Peter – read his story here
London North East
London South
London West
London South East
London Central
1974 – Meeting at Hackney Hospital Opened – moved to Homerton Hospital. Closed 2017
1975 – Living Sober was written by AA member Barry L.
1975 – Canning Town Sunday 11am meeting began 16/12/75- not reopened since Lockdown.
1975 December 5th – Ilford / Romford celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a buffet.
1979 – St Clements meeting celebrating their tenth anniversary – Theme ‘Family Illness’
1980 – Canning Town Sunday Evening meeting began 26/10/80 – not reopened since lockdown.
1980 – Hackney Hospital 6th anniversary – Theme ‘Gratitude’
1981 – Lottie T – the first female member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain, passed away.
1981 – Canning Town Saturday evening meeting started 21/2/81 – Not reopened since Lockdown.
1982 – ‘Canadian’ Bob, the member who helped grow A.A. in this country passed away in Malta.
1984 – First Cockney Convention at Langdon Park Community Centre – Set up by ‘Baker’ Fred.
1984 – 2020 Forest Gate Saturday Lunchtime meeting.
1984 – Whipps Cross Friday night meeting was set up by Denis, Dot, and Scottish Tom.
1984 -Canning Town Wednesday began 11/4/84 – Not Reopened since Lockdown.
1984 – East London held the London Gay Groups 5th Annual Mini convention.
1985 – 2nd Cockney convention – theme, I am responsible – celebrating 50 years of A.A. held at Poplar Civic Theatre, Fairfield Road. 14:00 – 23:00 Admission for dance and meal £3.00 Contacts – Mike, Joan, Dolly and Bill.
1985 – Step and Tradition meeting in Hackney, Lauriston Road – ongoing at new premises.
1986 – The London Telephone Office closed its doors at Redcliffe Gardens after 21 years.
1986 – 5th November, Barkingside Wednesday Recovery group – ongoing
1986 – 7th November, Barkingside Friday Recovery Group – Ongoing
1987 – A letter to A.A from the Secretary of State congratulating on 40 years of AA in Great Britain.
1988 – 5th October – At 97 years old, Lois Wison passed away.
1988 – East London Convention held at East Ham Town Hall, Theme, ‘We Are Responsible’.
1988 – Barkingside Monday Recovery Group – ongoing
1989 – South Woodford, Saturday evening meeting – ongoing
1989 – 28th April – Sunday Forest Gate dinner and gala.
1989 – East London Convention – 9th September – advertisement below.
1990 – The Daily Reflections was published – Click here for the days reading
1991 – The Leytonstone Monday evening meeting began at The United Free Church.
1991 – Seven Kings Thursday evening meeting began. 11/10/91 – by Micky O and Diana
1992 – Toynbee Hall – 27th anniversary, the theme ‘The Joys of Living’.
1992 – East London Intergroup split into two. Inner East London and Outer East London.
1996 – Stratford Monday Lunchtime meeting began at Bryant Street, E15.
1996 – Walthamstow Sunday Evening Meeting began at St Andrews Church – Lea Bridge Road – Moved in 1997.
1997 – Walthamstow Sunday Evening Meeting found new premises at Beulah Road – still going.
1999 – 2019 Beginning of the Millennium’s Meetings. Click Here to read more memories of Millennium meetings.
2001 Canary Wharf Tuesday 5:30pm meeting, began – ongoing.
2002 – February 16th Out East London Intergroup one-day Mini Convention:-
2002 – September – East London Intergroup Cockney Convention:-
2005 Bethnal Green Step and Tradition, Wednesday evening meeting opened.
2005 – Chingford Child Friendly 4pm Meeting opened.
2005 – Stratford Arcade Step and Tradition opened. Signed Big Book by all who attended.
2006 – Co-founder of Toynbee Hall A.A. meeting, ‘Dartmoor’ Bill passed away. Sober 53 years. Want to read a bit more…then click here.
2006 – Canning Town Thursday 7pm began 23/11/06 by Zita, Mark, Malcolm. Not reopened since the Lockdown.
2007 -The St. Clements meeting closed – read here about the St Clements Plaque.
2014 – ‘Plaistow’ Bill H – a stalwart of East London A.A. passed away. Bill was also the oldest person at 93 years old to do a tandem skydive in South Africa. Bill was also in his 50th year sober.
2016 – Ilford meeting closed its doors.
2020 – Covid Lockdown – all meetings moved online.
2022 – Last East London intergroup meeting held at Forest Gate, Dunning Hall.
2023 – New Location for East London Intergroup, meetings. Salvation Army, Kerbey Street, Poplar.
2023 – East London Intergroup held its first Archive Mini Convention – over 220 years of continued sobriety on the top table – have a listen HERE
2023 – The old Millennium Meetings have re-started at a new venue in a new area. There is a safe place for members and their families to attend during New Year’s Eve. From 11 am on 31st December all the way to 6pm on New Year’s Day there will be a nice cuppa tea, a slice of toast and contact meetings.
The venue – is Gidea Park Methodist Church – The name is Step Around the Clock.
MORE WILL BE REVEALED.
East London Archives of Alcoholics Anonymous. 