In the November 1980 issue of the UK's Personal Computer World (PCW magazine), there was an article[1] written by David Tebbutt, about his visit to the Menlo Park Library where the "ComputerTown USA!"
That article and the regular CTUK column/page in future issues of PCW in turn sparked a widespread UK based self-help computer literacy movement, called "ComputerTown UK!".
Several of these CTUK groups gave birth to local amateur computer clubs, some of which are still continued operating into the 21st Century.
[citation needed] An example of such a group was 'ComputerTown North East' (Newcastle-upon-Tyne & Gateshead) which met in the Tyne & Wear Science Museum cafe (and thus could claim to be the first ever cyber-cafe on Tyneside).
A dial-up modem service, with email via the FidoNet network, all operated by volunteers in their own time.