“Go West Bristol Fashion, Go West.  In early June (1985) one of the Editors formed an advance guard of a Party of Bristol Fashionteers who would be travelling to New York later in the month, prior to going on to Montreal for the World Convention celebrating 50 years with Gratitude.  It was his job and privilege to make all the final arrangements for this brave little party of whom only two had previously been exposed to the great American way of life.  He did his job well as you will see later. So well that he even had time to join in the anniversary celebrations of the office staff at GSO on Monday June 10^th.  He found it good on that very special occasion to be in company with not only Bob P. General Manager World Services but also Jack G. General Manager from Redcliffe Gardens who was taking the advantage of a spell of experience at GSO New York.  Later that evening our editor had one of two choices to make. 

The big spiritual gathering of approximately 4,000 to be held in St John the Divine up town or a hazardous Subway visit to a Brooklyn group meeting of some 200 at which the speaker was Nell Wing.  As our editor is of a romantic nature he was obviously influenced by remembering the title “A Tree grows in Brooklyn”.  It was a great evening to be spent with real down to earth recovering alcoholics.  Our editor even found time to make his annual spiritual journey to Akron  before visiting, in Philadelphia, Conor F. founder of AA in Europe and Margaret his wife. 

Conor was as excited as our Editor, not only about the forthcoming International Convention but also the visit to the New World of the Bristol braves.  On Thursday June 20^th, a British Airways 747 duly deposited the Bristol braves at Kennedy Airport were they were met by a charming lady called Kathie in appropriate Airline uniform in company with our Editor.  Some of the members of the party could not understand how the Editor was allowed to greet them inside the Customs and Immigration confides.  They had of course overlooked that AA knows no barriers.  For the rest of this memorable pilgrimage ,one can offer in the space allowed, and from a clear recall entirely due to recovery ,only little glimpses of the next 2 1/2 weeks.  The amazement on the group's faces on driving into New York to be informed that due to the cancellation of accommodation by the YMCA, they were to stay at the Waldorf Astoria! The total disbelief as they were shown by the bellboys not to their rooms but to their suites.  Thank you, Miss Rossenfield. 

Shopping on 5^th Avenue, the visit to GSO and archives for the very special AA meeting at 11 o clock Friday morning in company with members from around the world, including many sober sailors en-route by sea to Montreal.  Jogging in the Park, top of the Empire State building, long since vacated by King Kong.  Joy riding on the Subway, Battery Park with echoes of Kojack. Statten Island ferry and the setting sun.  Circle line around Mannhatten, Transport provided by Mike M., Ed S. and Cathy G, never failing to be where it should be.  Four days of glorious self catering, inter-efficiency communication.  A genuine 12^th Step Call answered by 2 members of the Party.  The Hamptons, the fish, the Ocean the expectations of Bay Shore. Our member hosts; Mike, Peter, Cathy, Pam, Otto, the St Peters group, Sr Liz.  Ice cream in Friendly’s, breakfast at the Forum and the visitation of two baby Racoons which had lost their mother and their way. 

7am departure for Niagra. The bus arrives, the driver was beautiful and his name was Fred, a truly wonderful driver and charming man.  Niagra in the Moonlight, bedrooms overlooking the Falls. Each member of the Party looking like a very anonymous mussel, dressed in black oil skins, as they disappeared into the mists onboard the boat that took them under the Falls. 

Another early morning start and a day's drive to Montreal.  Expectations, what will the hotel Belvedere be like, will it be a let down, after all that has gone before? Not a bit of it, just the right hotel for us.  First sight of the Convention Centre, straw boaters worn by the meeters and greeters, national costumes.  More and more people pouring in, how many here 40,, 45, 50, 60,000.! Exposure to the new books '50 years with Gratitude', the signing of everyone you meet's 'blue book'..  The Escalators, the choosing from your programme which workshop to attend.  A quick sight seeing tour by bus, the sight of the Olympic Stadium, knowing that, that night it was to hold the largest AA meeting ever held in the world and that you were to be part of it!

Getting out and getting your seat early and waiting with ever increasing anticipation and expectation.  The wave effect of members leaping to their feet and throwing their arms wildly into to the air with equal vocal thrust.  Flags from every nation being carried by real live alcoholics, marching and counter marching to the time of the drummer of their choice.  The big, big meeting.  Bob P.’s introduction. Lois forgetting to remove her script form the Podium.  Thousands and thousands of alcoholics moving forward in a body down to the Metro.  Sheer wait of numbers causing official ticket collectors to abandon their duties and allow us on free.  More workshops, Clancy I.’s superb presentation on Sponsorship.   

“I went to the Gay meeting”, “were you at the Archives meeting”? “No I made Around the world in AA.”  Every glance every handshake, every hailed greeting, a celebration between spirits.  And then on to the Spiritual meeting on Sunday morning and the incredible feeling of being totally at one with every other human being in the world.  The closing talk by Joe of Arkansas, the final 'Our Father', the beginnings of farewells.  Cries of see you in Chicago, Hawaii, Mexico City, maybe perhaps Seattle!?  Who knows where but see you!  Last minute shopping in St. Catherine Street.  Taxi to the Airport. Good old British Airways.  Hello Heathrow.  This could only possibly have been beyond our Wildest Dreams.” 

(Source: Twenty Years of Bristol Fashion, Tape Archive).