70 Years of AA in Wiltshire & Bath

AA’s Journey to the UK

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr Bob Smith, both of whom were recovering alcoholics. It wasn’t long before word of this unique, peer-support-based recovery program began to spread across the Atlantic. By 1947, after over a decade of success stories in the United States, AA meetings began taking place in the United Kingdom. Read more about AA’s journey here.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Fellowship was established in Great Britain. During 1945 and 1946 a few individuals tried to achieve sobriety through correspondence with the Alcoholic Foundation in New York.

—The AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain 2023[3, p.12]

The First Meetings in the UK

According to records preserved in the Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain Archive at York, the first known UK AA meeting was held in Room 202 of the Dorchester Hotel in London on 31 March 1947[4]. The first group formed the following year with about a dozen members meeting regularly in a room on Cavendish Square. This early group provided a vital lifeline for those seeking sobriety and helped lay the groundwork for the spread of AA across the UK[5].

AA in the Bath & Wiltshire Area

Towns in and around what is now the Bath & Wiltshire Intergroup area played an active part in AA’s early growth in the UK. The very same year as the Cavendish Square group formed (1948), a meeting was founded in Mickleton, Gloucestershire[5]. This was a significant development as it marked the expansion of AA beyond London and into the broader community. The first Bristol group came together in 1953, likely inspired by Bill W’s visit to the UK in 1950. Bristol was soon followed by the first Bath group, which formed in 1955, and Calne in 1957.

By the late 1950s there were about 100 groups in England and Wales and about 30 in Scotland. The numbers reflected not just an increase in membership, but also the growing need for a community-based support system across the UK.

—The AA Structure Handbook for Great Britain 2023[3, p.16]

Growth and Conventions

To celebrate all this enthusiasm for the Fellowship throughout the 1950s, the first ever English AA convention was held in Cheltenham in 1956. This event was more than just a gathering; it symbolised the growing unity and fellowship within AA, offering members an opportunity to share their experiences, strengthen their recovery, and spread the message of hope to those still suffering.

Expansion Through Prison Groups

Another major part of AA’s expansion in the south-west was played by prison groups. These groups provided an invaluable resource for inmates battling alcoholism, many of whom had no other support systems available to them. Prison groups were founded at Dorchester in 1959, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire in 1963, Horfield in Bristol in 1964, Shepton Mallet—the world’s oldest prison!—in Somerset in 1965, and Dartmoor in 1966. The prison groups not only helped countless individuals find sobriety but also demonstrated AA’s dedication to reaching those most in need, wherever they might be.

Formation of Intergroups

Given such proliferation, it comes as no surprise that the Prison Intergroup (commonly referred to as ‘PIG’) was soon formed in 1965 to support these efforts[6]. Alongside PIG, the South West Intergroup (aka SWIG) was formed in 1964 to better manage and provide support to the growing number of groups across the south-west. The first hospital groups also appeared around this time, with the first meeting held in Wells in 1960[6]. These early intergroups played a vital role in coordinating efforts, providing resources, and ensuring that the message of recovery reached as many people as possible.

SWIG, which initially supported all of the south-west, gradually evolved into smaller, more localised intergroups as membership continued to grow. SWIG delegates attended the First General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain, held in Manchester in 1966, representing groups from…

Bath, Bournemouth & Poole, Bristol, Calne, Dorchester, Exeter, New Forest, Newton Abbot, Par, Plymouth, Torquay, Weston-super-Mare, Western Locking, Wales Mendip, and Wales St. Cuthberts —The First General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain[7]

Regional Structure and Support

The AA Structure Handbook notes that by 1964 there were nearly 200 groups in England and Wales[3, p.17]. SWIG, which was founded in the same year, played a role in supporting members across the south-west. As AA continued to expand throughout the 1970s and 1980s, smaller local intergroups began to form, leading to the development of Wessex Intergroup. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of new, independent intergroups that provided more localised support[8].

The national organisation gradually established its 15-region structure following Conference recommendations in 1975, 1981, 1987, and 1988[3]. These changes reflected the need for a more comprehensive organisational framework capable of supporting the increasing number of members and groups across the UK.

Wiltshire & Bath Intergroup Today

Wiltshire & Bath Intergroup is one of six Intergroups that make up the South Midlands Region, covering areas from Bristol to the outskirts of London. Many of the 10 Intergroups in the South West Region are practically neighbours for the Wiltshire & Bath fellowship, and we hope to welcome members from across all regions at our Convention!

The Wiltshire Intergroup, initially known as the Kennet Intergroup until 1989, has been a cornerstone of AA’s work in the area. Minutes and papers from Intergroup meetings over the years provide a glimpse into the dedication of local members who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the group, liaise between members, and offer assistance to suffering alcoholics[1]. This organisational work, although often behind the scenes, has been fundamental in maintaining a strong, accessible support system for individuals seeking help.

Looking to the Future

Today, the Bath & Wiltshire Intergroup continues to uphold AA’s mission to help alcoholics achieve sobriety. The journey from a single meeting at the Dorchester Hotel in 1947 to a thriving community of groups across the region highlights not only the resilience of AA members but also the enduring power of fellowship and shared experience in the fight against alcoholism. As we celebrate 70 years of AA in Wiltshire and Bath, we honour the past while looking forward to continuing this vital work for those who still suffer. The dedication of the many members who have volunteered their time, energy, and compassion has ensured that the AA message of hope continues to reach those in need.