On Easter 1991 London Region Telephone Service known as LRTS celebrated its 30th Birthday. However, there had been a telephone helpline for alcoholics in London since 1948 – August 1948, to be precise – and from its humble beginnings grew the present-day service. The story really begins February 1948, when Bill H., drying out yet … More Early start of the helpline told by Roland H – 1948 – 1955.

The below was written by a longtime London member of the fellowship who sadly had moved on to the meeting in the sky. A butterfly blessing was written by Jacob/Lazarus. A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it … More A Butterfly Blessing

I was a beautiful baby…. Apparently. Born in Hampstead which was a good start and then we moved to Tottenham. I was never right; I could never figure out why. Then I went and had a pint at the Goat in Tottenham, which is no longer with us. It was an original Wetherspoons. It was … More Sean C’s story.

I was brought up on the borders of Essex and East London.  As a child I was full of fear and wasn’t well. Drinking alcohol was in our culture, I can’t say I had a moment where I picked up a drink and everything changed, that wasn’t how it was for me. My first real … More Penny’s story.

Ironing board Arthur sober 1955 – this was done in 1985 an this is a transcribed talk he did at a convention, possibly Manchester. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, my name’s Arthur and I’m an alcoholic. I drank because I liked drinking, I didn’t go about in tea bars as I see many do now … More Transcribed talk of ‘Ironing board’ Arthur

My name is Jack; I’m 27 years sober (2025). Before coming to A.A I knew nothing. There is a lot of bad things and good things that go on for people, I do understand, all of my words are locked in my brain, because of my stroke, I just cannot say the words.   I’m originally from … More Jack’s story.

Guardsman John got sober in 1978 and was a member of the A.A community, especially at the City of London meetings, such as St Vedast’s. Below we have a selected amount of his writings that were published in a variety of A.A publications around the world. John spoke of his sponsor, Mick ‘the Tick’.  Mick … More The Writings of Guardsman John.

When Ward ‘Flash’ W had gone back to the States he went to the New York office and told of his one in a million chance of coming in contact with A.A in London. The guy he met in the Savoy was ‘Canadian’ Bob who was tasked with the job to see if another American, … More One in a Million.

Lest we Forget  The below was written in the First London group pamphlet by ‘Padge’. ‘Padge’ was a longstanding member of A.A. in Great Britain and worked tirelessly as general secretary to help the fellowship grow. ‘Padge’ died Sept 2nd 1971 at the age of 77. Sober for 21 years. His recovery began in the special … More Padge – Lest We Forget

Esme wrote about the traditions in the First London Pamphlet around 1952. When, in 1948 I contacted A.A for the help and my sponsor, Bill H saw me in hospital, and outlined the programme (how wise he was not to give me too much at first) I recall thinking to myself, these 12 steps make … More Esme (1952)