From Colin Parrish, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK
Michael Bond’s article on fandom really struck a chord with me. A decade ago, as a reasonably intelligent man drawing his state pension, I became a fan of a television singing contestant (James Arthur). For the first time in my life, I joined a fan club (13 May, p 25).
Since then, I have become online friends with a socially diverse group of people from all over the world, some of whom I have met. Many of these people have, in Bond’s words, “been transformed by their fandoms”. It is easy to mock fans; we do get a bad rap. But the act of coming together in mutual support can be immensely rewarding and a powerful force for good.
