Take That fans ‘connected through penpal schemes before internet’

Army penpals may well know that writing letters allows them to share their interests and passions with people from all over the world.

And that is just what another group of penpals have been doing for years, the BBC explains.

The news source considers ways in which dedicated fans of boyband Take That managed to create appreciation societies before the days of the internet.

Penpal advertisements would appear in publications and encourage so-called "Thatters" to correspond with others who were just as passionate about the five-piece.

An art exhibition is being curated by sociologist Anja Lobert, who has collected a number of these letters to put on display.

Speaking about the penpal schemes, Ms Lobert says: "They were the social networking tools of those days."

The band are currently on tour with Robbie Williams, who rejoined the group after years apart producing hits such as Angels and Let Me Entertain You as a soloist.

Posted by Samantha Thompson