Chelmsford met Chelmsford last week when town manager of Chelmsford Massachusetts paid a flying visit.

Bernard Lynch met his counterpart Martin Easteal and former Mayor Cllr Maurice Hurrell as well as Chief Superintendent Julia Jeapes at Chelmsford police station.

Mr Lynch was making a private visit to the UK with his wife and decided to reciprocate a number of visits made by people from the UK to Massachusetts.

"It's a very quaint town though much larger than our Chelmsford. But after meeting Mr Easteal it's clear that we share many of the same issues around managing growth and providing infrastructure."

Editor of the Essex Chronicle, Stuart Rawlins, presented Mr Lynch with a copy of the first edition of the paper, which dates from 1764.

The two Chelmsfords established an 'e link' earlier this year after a series of Chronicle articles which sparked public enthusiasm for the namesake town.

Chelmsford, MA was founded in 1655 and named after Chelmsford in England, though it is not clear whether the original settlers had emigrated from Chelmsford, England.

Last month a party of police officers from Chelmsford, England played a key role in the ceremonial opening of the Massachusetts' town's new police station.

Published Monday, June 23, 2003

Brought to you by the Essex Chronicle