The origin story for the Bristol Reunions
The First European Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous 1971
The First European Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous took place in Bristol, England in September 1971. A major milestone in AA, it was given the go ahead by the General Service Board (GSB) in London and sponsored by the South West Intergroup (SWIG) with a planning committee meeting first in Hartley Wintney and comprising from amongst its members Jack McG (Glasgow), Travers C. (Bristol) & Tony B. ( Cork Ireland).
The scope and ambition of the Convention made it landmark event for not only recovering alcoholics but also for those alcoholics and their families who still hadn’t heard the message of AA with its Recovery programme in the form of 12 steps. Ove the weekend, the convention discussed how best to facilitate the spread of this message far and wide; how to utilize AA’s kinetic energy with all its potential to change the lives of alcoholics who still suffer, to demonstrate just what is possible given the right circumstances.
The Prison Intergroup (PIG) arranged the transportation of convention attendees in fleets of coaches to attend specially convened AA meetings held within prison walls. HMP Bristol, HMP Leyhill & HMP Shepton Mallet opened their doors to the Fellowship in this ground breaking work.
The European Convention was also a gathering of the Friends of AA including professionals whose working lives had been spent trying to tackle the problems of alcoholism, including one in particular, Dr Max Glatt, a Consultant Psychiatrist. He formulated a new way of treating alcoholics at the pioneering in-patient Unit at Warlingham Park Hospital in Surrey from 1952-1962. Max is remembered in the UK with an affection similar to that accorded to Dr Silkworth by the whole fellowship. Max drew inspiration for his work from attending open meetings and the AA way of life. A significant number of early AA members in England where treated in this Unit and so introduced to AA. The Unit at Warlingham Park became a model for similar units opening up in National Health Service (NHS) Regions across the country a decade later.
Richard P., the first European member of AA, arrived at the Convention said “Alcoholics are people who need each other and who need God.” Sackville of Dublin (a great friend to Bristol Fashion) was principle speaker, standing in for Bill W., who had died earlier that year. Conor F., the founder of AA in Ireland in 1946, sent a congratulatory Telegram from his home in Philadelphia. The Papal Nuncio (the Pope’s Ambassador to the Court of St. James in London) was also invited and afforded a full diplomatic welcome in Bristol. This helped inform growing interest from the wider Catholic Church worldwide in the problem of alcoholism and it’s successful treatment.
Harry Vincent the chairman of the National Council on Alcoholism gave an impassioned plea and presented his blueprint for much greater cooperation with existing agencies tasked with the welfare of society in tackling the scourge of alcoholism in our communities. He recognised the primary force for good of AA though, in his opinion, AA needed to cooperate much more with sister agencies in order to realise its unique potential.
Alcoholics Anonymous World services (AAWS Inc.) in New York were represented by General Secretary Bob H. and Dr Travis Dancy a non- alcoholic Trustee of the GSB. Both men shared their experience of AA from both a personal and professional view point. And then, Bob H. gave the eulogy at the Interdenominational service of Thanksgiving for the life of AA Co-Founder Bill W. held immediately afterwards the Convention at Bristol Cathedral.
The flags of the host countries represented at the Convention flew proudly outside the venue all weekend, including England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Finland, Sweden, United States of America, Canada, Australia and South Africa. The flags of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales were folded and given to each country’s representative service office as a reminder of the First European Convention. There was also a desire to keep the spirit generated over the weekend going and a Reunion was to be held in subsequent years. This would eventually morph into the AA Reunion in Bristol restarted in 1981 (see flyer below) and which flourished for many years afterwards.
P.S. There is a growing set of Bristol Reunion Recordings on this website, just click on the link below.
This timeline of the 1971 European Conventions draws on both contemporary and later sources, including the History of AA in the West of England, and flyers / material from the Convention.
September 1971. Richard P. speaking in Bristol said of AA: “Were setting something up that the doctors couldn’t do for us”. (Source: Euro Convention tapes). “The most remarkable thing that ever happened about alcoholism was AA”- Travis Dancey ‘71. (Source: As above).
20th -23rd September 1971. Great breakthrough occurred. A three day workshop on alcoholism was held in Bristol. The event was held prior to the European Convention of AA. As a result of the workshop the council were provided with valuable experience and concrete evidence of those areas where education and information are still badly needed.
· Day 1. Alcoholism, Industry and Trade Unions.
· Day 2. Alcoholism and the Social Services.
· Day 3. Alcoholism and the Church of all denominations. (Source: The Council 1971 report C1 D2).
24th September 1971. First European Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous. Two telegrams, first one dated 24th September 1971 “Best wishes from all Scottish Groups sorry unable to be with you=LIL.” The second one addressed to Travers says “Wishing you every success to the First European Convention May God Bless all your efforts and work to bring this milestone in AA history into being, love Alec and Ann.” Newspaper clipping reporting the First European Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous at Bristol University Students Union. The headline is “Dan spends pension... on not drinking.” Tells of a retired New York cop who is spending part of his savings to travel from his Florida home to be at the Convention. Also that he has brought with him a tape recording of the final public address of Bill W. To be played at the memorial service to Bill W. at Bristol Cathedral. It goes on then to talk of the convenor, Travers and has some quotes from him. Some handwriting on the back. (C5 D3)
September 1971. The RAC (the Royal Automobile Club associate section for the provision of roadside assistance and motoring services) put up road signs in Bristol, along the route of the 1st European Convention. They were pleased to do it because of the good publicity they got from such a good play on words: “RAC shows the way to AA Reunion” (with the other AA alluded to in this case being the RAC’s competitors, the Automobile Association). National newspapers carried pictures of these signs and also printed commentary. It reached the cartoon stage of press coverage. (source: Reunion index)
Though Bill was not present at the First All European Convention, having passed away only nine months earlier, the following quote from him may well have touched on the spirit that was present at the Bristol Convention. "We of AA have likewise been lacking in open-mindedness. We, too, had our communication-proof compartment in which we were heard to declare that AA was the only solution. But that phase of our infancy is pretty much in the past. Our thoughtful members now well understand that we of AA are but a part of the great synthesis of meaningful forces now in formulation, a synthesis hopefully designed to cope on every front with the total problem of alcoholism. We therefore stand ready to cooperate with all constructive efforts in the field to the full extent of our ability. We AA's can now truly say "that in isolation we shall be limited but in cooperation with our friends, all may become possible." That, too, is the spirit of this volume; it is a significant step in precisely that direction." W.G.W. Co-founder Alcoholics Anonymous 1968 (Source: Understanding Alcoholism. The Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, Inc. 1968. Archive library)
Wednesday 22nd September 1971. “The First European Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous made up of members from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Finland, Sweden, United States of America, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Members attending began to arrive on Wednesday, September 22nd.”(Source: History of the West of England).
Thursday 23rd September 1971. “His Excellency Archbishop Enrici, Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain arrived at Temple Meads Station. He was met by Bishop Joseph Ruderham and priests of the Clifton Diocese, together with the Lord Mayor of Bristol and her husband, the Sheriff and Sheriff’s Lady, and he was afforded a full diplomatic welcome to the City for the sole purpose of his attendance at the Alcoholics Anonymous gathering.” (Source: History of the West of England).
Thursday Evening 23rd September 1971. First official event was a production, which ran for three nights from Thursday, in the Winston Theatre, part of the Convention complex, of ‘Lady on the Rocks,’ produced especially for the occasion, followed by readings on alcoholism by a well-known actor (Travers) and actress” (his ex-wife Constance Chapman). (Source: History of the West of England) .
Early Friday Evening 24th September 1971. “Early Friday evening the Lord Mayor gave a reception for the Distinguished guests and Overseas Visitors to the European Convention at the Mansion House. Approximately 120 guests attended.” (Source: History of the West of England).
24th-26th September 1971. First European Convention is held in Bristol. Theme: “Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit.- Bill”. Organized by a committee of three including Travers as the driving force behind the convention. Fr Larry K. is the opening speaker, also present is Richard P., Sackville is Principle speaker, all the staff from AA World Services are present. The Papal Nuncio invitation invited representatives of AA to visit the Vatican saying that not much at this time is known about AA and its suggested way of recovery in Rome. Sackville and Travers are chosen to accept the invitation to visit Rome. The Convention officially opened at 9pm and Chairman for the first big meeting was Richard P, first known alcoholic to get sober in Europe as a result of a direct 12th step call. Other speakers at that meeting included Dr. Travis Dancey (non-alcoholic, Board member, Montreal).” (Source: History of AA in the West of England).
Saturday morning 25th September 1971. “Approximately 400 of those members attending, who were interested in prison work, were divided into three groups and attended meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous at Shepton Mallet, Horfield and Leyhill Prisons. In addition, a large prison group meeting was held in the Convention complex.” (Source: History of the West of England):-
2.45pm. Winston Hall meeting. Please be there early. Doors close at 2.45pm. No standing room allowed at all. Rule of the Union. It’s going to be a very large meeting. After it starts we do ask everybody if they possibly can because we don’t want to spoil the meeting for each other to be at that room as soon after 2.30pm as possible.
5pm. French speaking members please note meet at the Information desk at 5pm. There is going to be a French speaking meeting sometime that evening. There are no collections at any of the AA meetings. There is a Prison Intergroup Social taking place that night they are asking people to support the event by buying tickets they are only a few pence.
Saturday afternoon. 25th September 1971. “The afternoon saw the principle meeting of the convention chaired by the late Leslie K. (GSB) with two non-alcoholic speakers, His Excellency Archbishop Enricci, Apostolic Delegate, and Harry Vincent, Chairman of the National Council on Alcoholism. The alcoholic speakers were Bob Hitchins. General Service Manager, New York, and the meeting closed with Sackville of Dublin.” (History of AA in the West of England). Bill, Chairman of SWIG: “We in the South West have been given the privilege of trying to organize this Convention and I hope your all going to enjoy it very much. As you know it’s the First European Convention and we are delighted to see people from all over the world. I myself made the very hazardous journey across Salisbury plain. We hope that not only this meeting but tomorrow mornings meeting will spread the message that AA gave us here in England from America will help to spread it throughout Europe. I have one announcement to make it is a Telegram from Conor F. who in fact was the person who brought the message from America to Ireland. And he says: “Congratulations on your First All European Convention Sorry I cannot be with you in person but I am with you in spirit. Love to All. Conor.” Now I hope that we will be able to do for other people what he has done for us.
Saturday Evening 7pm 25th September 1971. A German Speaking AA meeting is held in the main hall of the convention complex. (Source: 1st European Convention tapes).
Saturday Night Ceilí (music & dancing) at the European Convention continues until 4am on Sunday morning.
Sunday Morning Meeting. Chairman Jack McG: “Many of you heard in the early stages of AA of a lady who was a wonderful help to Dr. Bob and Bill, Sr Ignatia and rightly so did she become internationally known. AA is fortunate that in the great big public world in this highly competitive and vicious cycle in which we live, there are many people who contribute in their own little way. Neither seeking gratitude, applause or anything. But to many people to whom we are deeply indebted such is a little lady. I should like to have this opportunity of presenting to you just to say a few words. The lady from Dublin Sr. Maria Joseph, a great friend of AA and Travers.
Sunday 26th September 1971. Service of Thanksgiving is held in Bristol Cathedral for the life of Bill W. “Before departure from Bristol, practically all members and their families foregathered at the Bristol Cathedral for an Interdenominational memorial service for Bill Wilson, during which the Preamble, Fifth Chapter, Eleventh Chapter, prayer of St Francis, were all freely used. The service was led by the Bishop of Bristol and a most moving address was given to Bill by his long-time friend and fellow member, Bob H. of New York..” (Source: History of AA in West of England). Over 2000 people attend the Service.
Sunday 26th September 1971. Redland Park Church Hall, Hurle Crescent. Open AA meeting at 6.30pm for those visitors staying over. But the Hall itself is open from 3pm to 8.30pm for Refreshments. Due to transport difficulties and for those from abroad not going home they are able to stay overnight in Redland Park Church Hall. Check this again. (Source; Euro tapes).
28th September 1971. The first reference found in the archive to a proposal to hold the 1974 European Convention in Helsinki. (Letter addressed to the convenors. Store room)
Friday 31st September 1971. It was not until this day that the last of the overseas members attending departed Bristol, and then, in many cases, only to proceed to Dumfries for the Blue Bonnets Gathering. (Source: History of AA in West of England).
October 1971 Bristol Fashion.
Sept/Oct 1971. A sample of thank you letters for the European Convention: Archbishop Enrici said of the European Convention: “I am sure it will have notable beneficial effects in the future on the growth and achievements of the Fellowship.”4/10/71. Sir Dick Caldwell (the Executive Director of the Medical Council on Alcoholism and former Surgeon General of the Royal Navy), was at the convention with his wife Lee and found it “extremely interesting”. “The convention had the spirit of Dr. Bob and Bill about it - I can pay it no higher compliment - I loved every minute of it.” Sister Marie Joseph 1/10/71. Dr Max Glatt, was also there “he loved it and was so thrilled to see some of his hopeless cases alive and well”. Dr Martin K. member of London Akron group. “Far from having a dream - like quality, the convention at Bristol seems the reality, and this life here, the dream. Whichever way, I want you to know that the First All-European AA Convention was, a wonderful experience for me. Our 52 hours in Bristol were a unique and rewarding experience for both my wife (Elaine. ed) and me. I hope we will have the opportunity some day of seeing you here in New York.” Bob Hitchins. 18th Oct, 71.
12th October 1971. John G. of Liverpool to The Bristol Akron AA Group. “Dear Friends, Whilst I was at the recent European Convention I picked up a copy of your “Bristol Fashion” and I enjoyed this so much that I would like, if possible, to obtain further issues. I am enclosing £1 note for you to use as far as it will go with mailing and postage - perhaps you will advise me if you have any special subscription arrangements. I would also like to express my appreciation for the capable way in which the Convention was organized - this was my first Convention, and I thoroughly valued every second of my time in the company of so many members - it was an experience not to be forgotten, and I thank you all for making it possible. I think Travers, and everyone connected did a splendid job. I am actually a member of the World Hello Correspondence AA Group and I was delighted to meet two of my friends from Canada and Australia at Bristol All good AA wishes to you very sincerely.” (Source: Index)