The history of the Northern National Convention 1975 – 2026.  Complied by the NNCC for the 50th anniversary.

From 1956 to 1974 there was a National Convention that was held once a year in different places around England. From 1972 to 1974 Conference started to discuss splitting the National Convention in two North and South.

1975 The 1st Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, November 14th 16th. Theme ‘Recovery’. Registrar from Liverpool. In 1975 at Conference Merseyside and North Wales Intergroup offered to organize the first Northern National Convention. Originally advertised to be held at Southport, this later changed to the Norbreck Castle, Blackpool. The cost for the full weekend was £21.00 all prices listed are ‘Full weekend, twin bedded room per person, Half Board‘. Approximately 350 attended. There was a Prison Sponsors meeting.

1976 The 2nd Northern National Convention: The Grand Hotel, Scarborough, April 2nd 3rd 4th. Theme ‘Unity’. Registrar from Leeds. In 1976 the West Riding and North East Intergroup were responsible for Convention and it was held at Scarborough. It cost £19.00 to attend and 200 members attended and there was a Prison Sponsors meeting.

1977 The 3rd Northern National Convention: The Grand Hotel, Scarborough, March 25th 27th. Theme ‘Service‘. Registrar from Leeds. In 1977 the West Riding and North East Intergroup were responsible for Convention and it was held at Scarborough. 300 members attended and there was a Prison Sponsors meeting.

1978 The 4th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 17th 18th 19th. Theme ‘Just for today’. Registrar from East Lancs. In 1978 East Lancs Intergroup were involved with organizing the Convention and it went back to the Norbreck in Blackpool until 1991. There was a Hospital Group and Prison Sponsors meeting. Over 400 members attended.

1979 The 5th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 23rd 24th 25th. Theme ‘Our primary purpose’. Registrar from Preston. It cost £30.00 to attend. The Intergroups taking part in the Northern Convention had been Cumbria, North West, East Lancs, South Lancs, Merseyside, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Manchester.

1980 The 6th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, June 6th 7th 8th.Theme ‘Courage to Change’. Registrar from Chesterfield. In 1980 the Intergroups of the NE were asked to organise the Convention. 460 members attended. PI workshop and Prison Sponsors meeting. And it cost £35.65 to attend.

1981 The 7th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 27th 29th. Theme ‘Honesty’. Registrar from Blackburn. In 1981 was probably organized by the recently form NW Region. It cost £43 to attend.

1982 The 8th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, May 28th 30th. Theme ‘Sobriety Without End’. Registrar from Manchester. In 1982 409 members attended and it cost £48 to attend. £628.50 was raised by the Raffle.

1983 The 9th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 25th 27th. Theme ‘The Joy of Living’. Registrar from Merseyside. In 1983, it cost £52.50 to attend. GSO distributed 10,000 Registration forms. Raffle raised £700.

1984 The 10th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 30th April 1st. Theme ‘Triangle of Love’. Registrar from Merseyside.In 1984 the 10th Anniversary a Registration fee of £1 was introduced. It cost £56 to attend, raffle raised £665.10. GSO distributed 17,000 Registration forms. There was a Public Information Workshop and a Prison Sponsors meeting.

1985 The 11th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 29th 31st.Theme ‘Freedom in Fellowship’. Registrar from Merseyside. In 1985, it was the 50th Anniversary of AA. 765 members attended and it cost £58 to attend. The raffled raised £614.42. 100 50th Anniversary ‘Big Book’ dust covers were printed.

1986 The 12th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, April 18th 20th.Theme ‘Love and Service’. Registrar from Merseyside. It cost £62.50 to attend and 1,068 members attended. There was a Prison Sponsors meeting and PI and Hospital Meetings Workshops. The Convention Registrar suggests that NW Region should be more involved in forming the Convention Committee.

1987 The 13th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, April 24th 26th.Theme ‘Invitation to Live’. Registrar from Cheshire. In 1987 the 40th Anniversary of AA in Great Britain it cost £55 to attend and over 1000 members attended. The Registration fee was £1.50 and over 700 members attended the Dance. Committee structure reviewed.

1988 The 14th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, April 8th 10th. Theme ‘Togetherness’. Registrar from Cheshire. It cost £58 to attend. From 1989 the main meetings will be held in the Norcalympia Hall, the Hotel management suggest that if 280 rooms are booked by Christmas the hotel could be exclusively booked for the Convention.

1989 The 15th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, April 7th 9th. Theme ‘Gratitude’. Registrar from Cheshire. In 1989 the Committee introduces smaller meetings and the Marathon meeting. It cost £59.50 to attend. ’Hot Lips’ the fire eater was part of the Cabaret. It was proposed that £2500 to be sent to the general fund, if region would approve.

1990 The 16th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 30th April 1st. Theme ‘Willingness to Change’. Registrar from Warrington. In 1990, it cost £65 to attend. The services of a ‘Signer’ were secured for the Deaf and hard of hearing and was present at the main Closed AA meetings on the Saturday and Sunday mornings. It was hoped in the near future the Convention Committee would comprise of the NE and Midland Regions as well as the NW Region.

1991 The 17th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, April 5th 7th. Theme ‘The Steps We Took’. Registrar from Cheshire. In 1991, It cost £68 to attend and the last Convention at the Norbreck until 1998. The Committee which comprised of three Delegates from three Regions involved negotiated a deal with the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for 1992. The convention was to be held in the magnificent facilities of the Empress Ballroom complex.

Northern National Convention Committee

Now made up from

NW Region, NE Region, Midland Region

1992 The 18th Northern National Convention: Winter Gardens, Blackpool, March 27th 29th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Cheshire. In 1992 The Convention Committee used ’the pot’ to cover expenses so there was no Registration Fee. Accommodation had to be arranged through the Blackpool Department of Tourism. It cost 15 to attend a Celebration Banquet which was followed by a Dance and Disco. 1,500 members attended. There was Karaoke on Friday night.

1993 The 19th Northern National Convention: Winter Gardens, Blackpool, April 9th 11th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from N Yorkshire. In 1993 there was a celebration ‘Fork Buffet’ and cost £11. The Convention was again at the Winter Gardens on the Easter weekend which was the reason suggested for a fall in attendance, the Committee asked the owners if they could move next year’s convention to a more convenient date but this was not possible.

Northern National Convention moves to Pontins Holiday Camp Ainsdale (near Southport)

1994 The 20th Northern National Convention: Pontin’s Southport, March 25th 27th.Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 1994 at Pontins proved to be a great success, the date had been changed not to clash with Conference. Chalets were £65 for 4 Berth £90 for 6 Berth and there was a £5 registration fee and there were no pot collections.

1995 The 21st Northern National Convention: Pontin’s Southport, April 7th 9th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Rotherham. In 1995 the Convention returned to Pontins.

1996 The 22nd Northern National Convention: Pontin’s Southport, March 29th 31st. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Rotherham. The registration fee was still £5 and there were short service workshops. Booking accommodation went directly to Pontins.

First Terms of Reference (Job Descriptions) and creation of Executive Committee 1996

1997 The 23rd Northern National Convention: Pontin’s Southport, March 21st 23rd. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from N Yorkshire. The accommodation charge went up to 2 persons sharing £50, 3-4 sharing £67.50, 5-6 sharing £95. Due to falling attendance numbers the Committee negotiated with the Norbreck Hotel to return to Blackpool in 1998.

1998 NNC Moves back to the Norbreck Hotel Blackpool

1998 The 24th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 27th 29th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 1998 Conference updates ‘Hints and Suggestions’ for Conventions. Registration still £5 and for the cost of £90 per person the Norbreck Hotel will provide 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast plus free use of leisure facilities. Nearly 1,200 people attended three times the number of 1997.

1999 The 25th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 12th 14th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 1999 Conference produces a draft Conventions Guideline. £3 registration fee. £99 per person for 2 nights’ accommodation. Hotel now fully refurbished.

The Spiritual meeting becomes the closing meeting for the Convention

2000 The 26th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 31st April 2nd. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 2000 Conventions Guideline accepted by Conference. All rooms ‘en-suite’. Registration £3 and £99 for 2 nights.

The Three Regions North West, North East and Midlands agree to a ‘Terms of Reference’

2001 The 27th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 30th April 1st. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 2001 Committee ‘Terms of Reference’ excepted by the three Regions. GSB Trustees on Committee? Spiritual meeting moved to end of Convention. £109 for 2 nights.

2002 The 28th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, June 28th 30th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Lytham. In 2002 Convention ‘Pots’ back in meetings. 2 nights still £109 but registration now £5. workshop on ‘Communication around Alcoholics Anonymous’ and ‘Road to Recovery Wall’ started

2003 The 29th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 28th 30th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Lytham. In 2003 Hotel was taken over by Britannia and to be refurbished. The registration fee is £5. Accommodation, 2 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at £109 to include 3 Course Table d’Hote Dinner and Full English Breakfast. £30 deposit per person.

2004 The 30th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 26th 28th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 2004 included ‘Web master Question time’. 2 nights still £109. 945 people had attended. £299.03 raised by Marathon meetings. £848.62 Literature. £1659.00 raised by Raffle. £1129.64 raised by Tradition 7 plus committee pots. The Committee were in agreement that ‘Yellow Brick Road’ should not be loaned out for any reason.

2005 The 31st Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, April 1st 3rd. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 2005 due to recent changes in the NNCC ‘Terms of Reference’ the year before the ‘Spiritual meeting’ was renamed the ‘Final Gathering’. £112 for 2 nights.

Northern National Convention Secures Public Liability Insurance

2006 The 32nd Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 31st April 2nd. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Yorkshire. In 2006 AA News featured a NNC archive request as three Regional Archivists were to be present at Convention. The ‘Road to Recovery Wall’ recorded 5,500 years of recovery. £115 for 2 nights.

2007 The 33rd Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 30th April 1st. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from York. In 2007 60th Anniversary of first meeting at Dorchester London. £118 for 2 nights. 7,405 years of recovery recorded on ‘recovery Wall’. Regions could elect an alternate delegate in case one of the three delegates already elected cannot fulfil the responsibility.

Changes to the Terms of Reference: Alternate Delegate & Helper and Road to Recovery

2008 The 34th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 28th 30th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from York. £6 registration fee and £120 for 2 nights’ accommodation £3 course Evening Dinner -Fri & Sat, Full English Breakfast -Sat & Sun. AAAS Stand starts at NNC.

2009 The 35th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 27th 29th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Blackpool. In 2009 £7 pre-registration £10 on the day, £122 for 2 nights. Saturday night Jam session in the (Ballroom)

Terms of Reference Changes ‘Reimbursement of Expenses’

2010 The 36th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 26th 28th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Blackpool. In 2010 continued NNC archive request through AA News. New rate deal £127.50 for 3 nights or £95 for 2 nights.

Terms of Reference Changes ‘Committee expenses’

2011 The 37th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 25th 27th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Blackpool. In 2011 3 nights £130.21 or £97 for 2 nights. The Post of NNCC Archivist – it was understood that the position of Archivist was in existence for a few years now but not on TOR.

2012 The 38th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 30th April 1st. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Blackpool. 4902 years of sobriety on ‘Road to Recovery Banner’. Non-Alcoholic Trustee shared on the Friday night.

2013 The 39th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 22nd 24th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Notts. In 2013 3 nights £127.50 or 2 nights £95. NW Region Archivist sets about creating an archive for the NNCC. 5332.5 years of sobriety on the ‘Road to Recovery Banner’.

Terms of Reference Changes (Co-opting)

2014 The 40th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, March 21st 23rd. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Notts. 40th Anniversary 1975 – 2014. Prices same as last year. NW Region Archivist displays first NNC Archive display including Registration forms, Mugs and Badges.

2015 The 41st Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. March 27th 29th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Notts. 2015 3 nights £127.50. 865 people attended. Display of the 60th Anniversary of Conventions in England and Wales, taken to the WNC and SNC as well in 2015. NW Region archivist unanimously elected as Archivist.

Terms of Reference up-dated to cover the Post of NNCC Archivist NW Region Archivist becomes NNCC Archivist

2016 The 42nd Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. March 18th 20th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Notts. In 2016 3 Nights £127.50. 914 people attended. St Patricks Day fell on the Friday. 92.3% of attendees participated in the Road to Recovery. The Yellow Brick Road to Recovery recorded a total of 7,611 years of continuous recovery.

2017 The 43rd Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. March 24th 26th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from Sutton Coalfield. 2017 3 Nights £127.50. 70th Anniversary of AA in Great Britain. A recreation of Room 202 of the Dorchester Hotel was displayed which is where the First AA meeting in England is thought to of taken place in March 1947.

2018 The 44th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. March 23rd 25th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from West Midlands. 2018 midnight Sing a long on the Thursday Night and a separate Dance music event took place away from the main disco. South Down IG Archivist displayed some of the Magical History Tour.

2019 The 45th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool. March 22nd 24th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Registrar from West Midlands. As NNC/C Archivist I displayed the NNC/C History book in folders 6 years of work trying to find all I could on the NNC/C and make it available to the fellowship. South Down IG Archivist displayed some of the Magical History Tour.

14th March 2020. Important announcement: The 2020 46th Northern National Convention is Cancelled. It is with great regret that the Northern National Convention Committee (NNCC) has to announce that the Northern National Convention (NNC) due to be held in Blackpool from the 20th 22nd March 2020 is now cancelled due to the impact of the Coronavirus.

Terms of Reference changed:  Three Conventions not Three years on Committee

2021 The 46th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Hotel Blackpool. Cancelled Due to Covid

2022 The 46th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Hotel Blackpool. March 18th 20th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. £129.00 per Adult per 3 Nights’ Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double/Twin Shared or Single Room. £189.00 per Adult per 3 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double Room for Sole Occupancy. £97.00 per Adult per 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double/Twin Shared or Single Room. £137.00 per Adult per 2 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double Room for Sole Occupancy.

2023 The 47th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Hotel Blackpool. March 16th 19th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Pre-pay cost £12 at Ticket Source or pay £15 on the door. Norbreck Castle Hotel booking number and booking code. £129 per adult per 3 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double/Twin shared or single room. £189 per adult per 3 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double room for sole occupancy. £97 per adult per 2 nights dinner, bed and Breakfast Double/Twin shared or single room. £137 per adult per 2 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double room for sole occupancy.

2024 The 48th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Hotel Blackpool. March 15th 17th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Pre-pay cost £12 at Ticket Source or pay £15 on the door. Early bird meeting on Thursday 14th at 8pm. Norbreck Castle Hotel booking number and booking code. £132 per adult per 3 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double/Twin shared or single room. £192 per adult per 3 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double room for sole occupancy. £99 per adult per 2 nights dinner, bed and Breakfast Double/Twin shared or single room. £139 per adult per 2 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double room for sole occupancy.

2025 The 49th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Hotel Blackpool. March 27th 30th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’. Pre-pay cost £12 at Ticket Source or pay £15 on the door. £138 per adult per 3 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double/Twin shared or single room. £198 per adult per 3 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double room for sole occupancy. £103 per adult per 2 nights dinner, bed and Breakfast Double/Twin shared or single room. £143 per adult per 2 nights dinner, Bed & Breakfast Double room for sole occupancy.

2026 The 50th Northern National Convention: Norbreck Hotel Blackpool. March 26th 29th. Theme ‘A New Beginning’.