THEY’VE known each other for 25 years, but have just met for the first time.
Tracey Cheetham could not have been happier to see Carolann Tacklyn, her pen friend who lives in Bermuda.
The pair initially started writing to each other in 1993 on specialist air mail paper. They both worked for the Cable and Wireless group which ran a scheme to link employees around the world.
As technology developed, they started e-mailing and became friends on Facebook.
And after several failed attempts at meeting up, the pair finally came face to face last weekend.
Tracey, 46, of Royston, said: “Over the years we have tried to organise this before, but circumstances always got in the way. But Carolann got in touch to say she was coming over, and that we needed to make it happen. I was so excited about it, and we organised that she should come and spend the weekend with us.
“After 25 years, I knew exactly when the first time I was going to see her was. I went to meet her at Barnsley Interchange, and it was amazing.”
Tracey spent the weekend showing Carolann around Barnsley and York, and they went for afternoon tea at Betty’s tea room in York. They also enjoyed lunch at the Potting Shed in Silkstone and fish and chips at the Wetherby Whaler.
Carolann was visiting England with her son, whose partner lives with their children in Manchester while she is studying.
Carolann, who is in her early 60s, has been to England before, but it was her first time in Yorkshire.
Tracey added: “Carolann absolutely loved it. There are some things that I want to do in my life, and one of the top things was to meet Carolann. I’m really glad we’ve been able to do that because we’ve been friends for 25 years. We’ve been through marriages and having children together and to meet was just wonderful.
“You build a really deep friendship by pen and paper, and she’s one of my longest and dearest friends.”
Writing on Facebook, Carolann said: “I had an awesome time in Barnsley with Tracey, Tim, Betty and Freddie and the many people I meet and share our story with, which they thought was amazing. They were amazing to welcome me in to their home. I am truly thankful.”
Tracey said Carolann had invited her to stay in Bermuda.
