Whilst there are lots of Westfields around the globe, the one in Massachusetts, USA, contacted Westfield, Somerset, and asked the Parish to be part of the celebrations for their 350th anniversary.

As a result, the Chair of Westfield Parish Council, Geoff Fuller, and Vice-Chair, Ron Hopkins, recently went to the recording studios at BBC Somerset to be part of those celebrations.

Westfield, Massachusetts, is holding lots of events to celebrate its anniversary and contacted Westfield Parish Council in the UK to see if it would take part in a conversation with their US Mayor, Bryan Sullivan and Harry Rock, organiser of the Westfield 350 celebrations, on air on New Year’s Eve.

Of course, midnight in Massachusetts is around 5 a.m. here, so it was decided to record a conversation, which BBC Somerset kindly offered to facilitate.

Westfield Parish Chairman back here in the UK, Geoff Fuller, said: “It was fascinating to be in the recording studio and to be able to see the two men we were talking to on a video link.

“There is a huge difference between the two Westfields in terms of size – Westfield MA has a population of around 45,000, while we have around 6,500! Otherwise, it is eerie how many similarities there are in our histories.

“Both communities began as agricultural areas, and both have a history in manufacturing. There are numerous place names around Westfield MA that also exist in the vicinity of Westfield here – for example, Southwick, Southampton, Blandford and Bristol.

“It was a real pleasure to chat to Bryan Sullivan and Harry Rock, and a huge thank you to BBC Somerset for enabling it to happen.”

The conversation was recorded by Andy Bennett, of BBC Somerset, who also had a quick chat with the Councillors afterwards.

The people of Westfield, Massachusetts, will hear the recorded conversation at the start of their ‘first night’ celebrations on 31st December, and the two men in America were positive that it would be greeted with some cheer.

It will be broadcast on BBC Radio Somerset’s Breakfast Show on Friday, 28th December at 7.50 a.m. and 8.50 a.m.

Harry Rock, President of the 350th celebrations, said: “I really appreciate the spirit of collegiality between the two Westfields, and how special it was to reach out and share greetings with two communities that share the same name an ocean apart!”