Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

Date published: 22 May 2019

Becoming the mayor and then passing the chains to the next mayor, I believe, is the hardest part of the role, but still very special. Around this time last year, I took the Mayor’s oath of office and I was nervous and anxious, but still confident. The year started in Ramadan and is coming to an end tonight (22 May) in Ramadan, so I feel that I started my duties with blessings and am also ending with them.

I feel I have definitely been blessed throughout this mayoral year.

People ask me what my highlights are as the mayor, or what special things I have done, and when I look back and reflect on the different engagements I have attended, the wonderful things I have observed and the kind people I have met, I think my highlight is that my main focus has been achieved. I wanted to bring people together from different areas of our borough, and of different cultural backgrounds and faiths, making sure everyone receives the respect they deserve.

I have attended as many events as I can and met as many individuals and groups, acknowledging, motivating and appreciating all the work all are doing within Rochdale and beyond. I believe that when you meet and greet new people, you should always leave an impact; just a little smile you bring to a person is very special and I will remember all the smiling faces I have come across.

I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity and to witness all the good work throughout the borough and becoming friends with those who make a difference and add value to others lives.

Thank you to everybody who has donated to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal during my time, to those who have sponsored charity events for my six chosen local causes and to all who have invited me to attend events. It has all been greatly appreciated.

My year has been great, and I look forward to still being around as a councillor to attend further events.

 

Week commencing Monday 13 May – Sunday 19 May

Monday, I had no engagements.

Tuesday, I sent out a Mayor’s Charity Appeal on Crescent Radio, educating people on what the Mayor’s Charity Appeal is, how they can donate and what I have done this year to raise funds for Springhill Hospice, Parkinson’s UK, Moorend Trust, Petrus, Rochdale Community Partnership, British Heart Foundation and other local charities and groups.

I was so glad to see people who were listening drop money in at the radio station and pledge their support over the phones. We raised a total of £600.

Thank you to the presenters at Crescent Community Radio and the management team.

 

 

Wednesday, I attended my last British Citizenship Registrar's presentation as the mayor at Rochdale Town Hall. This was a fully packed ceremony with Deputy Lieutenant Ian Sandiford also joining me.

I am always pleased to see the diversity of the borough at these ceremonies, where people receive their British citizenship from the government and are welcomed on behalf of the borough to their official new home – Rochdale.

Thank you to all the staff at the Registrar’s Office at the town hall who have been very accommodating and organised over the year, allowing the monthly ceremony to run smoothly.

 

 

Thursday, I attended a community Iftar at Castlemere Community Centre organised by Rochdale Council of Mosques (RCM). There was a very big turnout of people from the local community of different faiths, or no faith, who attended the fast opening ceremony.

An educational presentation on Ramadan was given, which developed attendees understanding of Islam, fasting and the charity given during this time, followed by a Q&A session. Guests also had the opportunity to observe how Muslims pray before we enjoyed a delicious meal of traditional Asian and English dishes.

The evening was very successful, and it was encouraging to see community cohesion. I also presented some mayoral certificates to volunteers, representatives of community groups, businesses and individuals to show my appreciation of the work they have done and the things they have helped me with throughout my year as mayor.

 

 

Friday, a rainbow flag was raised at Rochdale Town Hall to celebrate the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia. There was a very good turnout from students at Hopwood Hall College and the local community, who showed their support for the day. A flag raise also took place at Jubilee Park in Middleton.

Thank you to all who turned up to these events to show your support for the LGBT+ community and Rochdale’s new initiative ‘Rochdale in Rainbows’.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127939/boroughs-new-lgbt-identity-is-launched

 

 

I was invited to the Lighthouse Project at Middleton Shopping Centre. This was the first time I have visited but I had heard of the organisation before – it was a real eye opener for me to visit them and witness all the activities they host and services they provide to benefit others.

I was given a tour by Carl Roach, project and development manager at The Lighthouse Project, who provided me with so much information on their foodbank, health and wellbeing workshops, café, men’s shed and so many other services to help improve others’ lives.

The Lighthouse Project offer so much to the community, mostly through voluntary help. It is a wonderful project and I am really grateful to Carl and Tony Ettenfield and all their volunteers for inviting me and showing me around. Keep up the good work.

 

 

 

I met with staff from Rochdale Online to present them a Mayor’s Recognition Award in the Mayor’s Parlour. I wanted to thank them for the time they have given to me this year in producing my weekly column.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127920/mayor-thanks-rochdale-online

Friday afternoon, I made a business visit to Sartex Quilts & Textiles Ltd, Queensway. Carol Hopkins from Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) also joined me.

Maqbool Ahmed, director of the business, has been a Rochdalian for so many years and says Rochdale is a town very close to his heart, so chose to grow his business here. The company give jobs to local people and help boost the local economy with their main factory in Queensway with outlets elsewhere.

I am glad to see the business is doing well, investing locally, and I hope they continue to grow in the future.

 

 

Saturday, I woke very early in the morning to officially start the Freemasons 23-mile charity walk from Rochdale Masonic Hall, organised by councillor John Taylor. The walkers had a nice route up to Littleborough, Todmorden and around other different areas.

A good number of people joined to raise money for charity, allowing them to come together, socialise, and meet new friends whilst raising funds for worthy causes.

I was honoured and privileged to set them off on their travels. Thank you to all who took part and to John Taylor for organising.

 

 

Sunday, over 50 local residents attended a poetry book launch and community Iftar event at All Saints & Martyrs Church in Middleton. This was jointly organised by myself and councillor Sue Smith to remember local poetry writer, Julia McClay, and to show appreciation to people around the borough who I have met this year.

Julia’s poems were read at the event by her children, councillor Janet Emsley, former Mayor Robin Parker and members of Langley Writer’s Club. I’m very pleased that Julia’s poetry book is finally published, and her family’s dream has become a reality, with her memory and love of poetry living on.

 

 

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