October Dinner
We have had a change of plan for the speaker at the October FGBMFI Dinner. Mike, who was planning to come from Australia, found out too late that South Africans now need a Visa to enter the UK. So, our speaker, on Thursday 1st October, 7pm at The Raggalds, Brighouse / Denholme Road, Queensbury is local lad ALAN WADDINGTON.
Alan's parents divorced in his early teens leaving many scars. At 16 he got into the drinking culture, spending most Friday and Saturday nights drinking double and triple shots, pints of beer and the customary curry on the way home! Alan became a binge drinker which led to stomach and bowel problems - Alan was not an "alcoholic" but very much in an addictivce cycle.
These weekend habits caused stress on his family. Christmas Eve was a time to get "drunk" rather than get ready for the kids opening their presents the following morning...
Things started to change in 2003 - Alan completed a Business Degree in June 2003 - this was always an ambition since leaving school. Then on 2nd November, two days before his 35th Birthday Alan broke his leg in two places playing football. This ended one career but opened up another path. In 2004 Alan started to attend Men's Breakfast Meetings at Noah's Ark cafe leading him to attend a weekend away with the men. This led to Alan openly questioning his need to drink.
Then in May 2005 came the final straw - risking his families life by driving to a Baptist conference in Sheffield after a night of heavy drinking and only three and a half hours sleep, Alan was challenged by God causing Alan not to touch a drop of alcohol since.
Alan ventured on a new and better path - becoming secretary of the men's breakfast, being baptised at Lee Mount Baptist church, becoming a Street Angel, teaching English to children in Latvia and much more.
Come along and enjoy a two course carvery and find out more about Alan and his life. To book for the carvery email fgbmfi@blueyonder.co.uk / 07806 913976 / http://calderdale.fgbmfi.co.uk