Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman
Date published: 03 May 2019
Mayor Mohammed Zaman hoisted the Saint George's Cross flag at Rochdale Town Hall for St George's Day (Tuesday 23 April)
This weekly column from the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mohammed Zaman, is about the places he has been and the people he has met during the week commencing Monday 22 April to Sunday 28 April 2019.
Week commencing Monday 22 April – Sunday 28 April
Monday, I had no engagements.
Tuesday, the St George’s Cross flag was raised at Rochdale Town Hall in celebration of St George’s Day. St George’s Day brings the community together to explore the goodness, kindness, peace and prosperity in supporting and appreciating one another, whilst celebrating achievements.
It was great to see so many people turn up to the flag raising, showing that humanity is very important to the local community. We need to share our good values, knowledge and experience, and keep up the concept of one community together here in Rochdale.
A huge thank you goes to the town hall staff and organisers of the flag raising event. I am glad we pay tribute to St George and his message every year.
Wednesday, I had a guest from Pakistan visit Rochdale Town Hall, who hosted an event whilst he was here for my Mayor’s Charity Appeal. Azhar Sadiq, CEO of the Al Hassan Foundation, was on tour to the UK and came to visit the town hall on my request as he looked after me when I visited Pakistan.
Azhar runs an orphanage in Pakistan for children who lost their parents to an earthquake in Kashmir, as well as being involved with lots of other voluntary community work. He loved the town hall and said he will always remember his visit to our fantastic building.
Led by councillor John Blundell, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business, Skills & Employment, I took part in a walk-about of Rochdale town centre later on Wednesday, where John gave updates on the regeneration and developments happening in the town centre. Everything is on schedule and I am glad these schemes, such as the Riverside shopping development, will attract more businesses to Rochdale and am passionate to see new people venture into town. Things take time but we must be optimistic about the future.
Thursday, Rochdale held its first ever Gallipoli Remembrance Service at Rochdale Cenotaph and Memorial Gardens. I was very glad to see so many people attend this first remembrance service for Gallipoli.
These events pay tribute to why we are here today: because of these individuals who went the extra mile and gave the ultimate sacrifice. These people who sacrificed their lives, to restore peace and resolve conflict by taking part in all kinds of wars, inspire our minds and stay in our hearts.
I was interested to learn of the historical facts and who was involved from Rochdale. I’m glad the tribute also brought awareness of Gallipoli to young people, who were unsure and did not know what it was.
I am grateful to the veterans and fusiliers for organising this special ceremony.
Thursday evening, I was invited to the Curtain Theatre to watch ‘Mikado’ by Gilbert & Sullivan, performed by Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society. The society perform Gilbert & Sullivan every other year, together with Grand Opera and Light Opera, and also present the occasional concert.
The theatre was packed out for this production, which was a mix of a love story, music and comedy with a Japanese theme. I really enjoyed the show and everyone I spoke to commented on how they enjoyed the evening too as the story was portrayed so well.
Thank you to Jenny Hatton, treasurer of Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society, for inviting me and well done to all of the performers for putting on such an entertaining show.
Friday, I was invited to Number One Riverside to judge a cake bake competition organised by Care 4 Children, the fostering team at Rochdale Council, with the aim to raise funds for their ‘Our Big Day’ event. Our Big Day is an annual celebration for the ‘Cared 4 Children’ of Rochdale where the children’s achievements are celebrated, and they receive awards.
Staff at Number One Riverside were asked to enter the competition to raise money and a high number of staff came to purchase cakes and support the cause. All entries were excellent, but there could only be one winner, which was Thomas Smeeton.
Thank you to the Riverside staff who supported the competition and to Lauren Sullivan who organised and invited me along. Thank you also to Christopher Tyler and Lisa Goslin who helped.
The Rochdale Council of Mosques Ladies – a group comprised of women from different mosques in Rochdale – visited the Mayor’s Parlour to give my daughter, Mayoress Naaira Zaman updates on what they have been up to. The ladies work together to benefit the mosques and the children within them.
Naaira presented them with a mayoral Certificate of Appreciation for all the hard work they have done and are still doing for the community, and for providing a supportive network for one another.
Some had never been to the town hall before so were pleased to join us and see the building.
Friday afternoon, I attended an event titled ‘Culture Awareness Project’ at Castlemere Banqueting Hall. This project was organised by Caring and Sharing to raise awareness on the different cultures in Rochdale, whilst raising funds for the Mayor’s Charity. A raffle was held, a brief presentation was given on the work Caring and Sharing do and a Community Safety Officer from the council spoke to the audience about the work the council are doing currently with local community groups, like Caring and Sharing.
Thank you to Nicky Iginla and her colleagues for organising and bringing members of the community together in one environment. I send Caring and Sharing best wishes with their Culture Awareness project.
I was invited to Castlemere Community Centre for an event organised by AMPSO - Asian Medical Professionals Support Organisation – who run regular health conferences for the public. This particular event highlighted the ‘Let’s Talk’ project, and many South Asian members of the community attended who have suffered with health issues like diabetes, strokes and heart problems to get advice.
AMPSO representatives taught the audience ways to prevent illnesses, and how you can take good care of yourself with a good diet and regular exercise. I presented AMPSO representatives with a certificate to show appreciation of the hard work and effort they put in to voluntary events like this for the good of the community. Thank you to Humera Haqani, Ghulam Rasul Shahzad and all members of the organisation for the hard work you do.
Friday evening, I attended the film premiere of ‘Our Sam – The Middleton Man’ at Middleton Arena. Samuel Bamford, who has a statue in Broadfield Park, was born in 1788 in Middleton and was a radical writer and reformer who wrote and campaigned for northern English dialect. Throughout his life, he also tried to bring local community members together and raise awareness on local issues.
Young people from Rochdale took on the challenge to revive Samuel Bamford’s history and heritage by researching the work he did and paid tribute to him through a film project. The aim was to make others aware of how he benefitted Rochdale and Middleton and how locals should be proud of his achievements, and how they relate to modern society today.
Thank you to Jacqui Carroll, producer of the film by Reel Manchester, for helping young people portray their message and to Liz McInnes MP and all councillors that attended. I was really honoured and privileged to be there; the film was very entertaining.
More information about the project can be read here:
Sunday, I was invited to Bury Town Hall by Area Colonel, Lancashire, Brigadier Jon Swift OBE of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for a Gallipoli commemoration. I met with other Greater Manchester mayors, including the Mayor of Bury councillor Jane Black, at Bury Parish Church for a service before attending a parade in Bury town centre. This was followed by a luncheon in the Castle Armoury Reserve Army Training Centre.
Also in attendance included Lord Lieutenants, High Sheriff, Civic Heads, Chief Executive of Bury Council and Fusiliers.
Thank you to everyone who organised the great procession and to all members who were involved in the parade.
Mayoral Invitations
The Mayor welcomes invitations to events held by local organisations and individuals. Due to demand, it may not be possible for the Mayor to attend every event he is invited to.
To invite the Mayor to your event please complete the Mayor attendance form and return it to the Mayor's Officer.
Visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/mayors/Pages/mayoral-invitations.aspx
Email: mayoral@rochdale.gov.uk
Tel: 01706 924773
The next Mayor of Rochdale will be councillor Billy Sheerin who will be sworn in at the next full council meeting on Wednesday 22 May 2019
Do you have a story for us?
Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.
To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.
