Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

Date published: 28 June 2018

First, I would like to say a big thank you to the mayoral team. They are always busy and sometimes it can be difficult to prioritise requests, but they try to please all the community.

I would also like to send appreciation to voluntary organisations and community groups in Rochdale, who play a very important role in bringing people together. They have true Rochdale spirit and I am glad to see people working hard to make our community better.

Week commencing Monday 18 – Sunday 24 June

Monday, I went to Bishops Court in Salford for the annual civic reception of Greater Manchester Churches Together.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/119928/

Tuesday, I led the British Citizenship presentation at the town hall for the second time. It was nice to see smiles of relief on people’s faces as they were recognised as British citizens. I gained my citizenship in 1976, however then it was free and didn’t have as many requirements.

Under the Immigration and Asylum Act of 2002 all new citizens must attend this ceremony at the town hall and take an oath to the Queen and pledge to be loyal to the UK.

I spoke to the attendees about Rochdale and said I hope they enjoy their new lives here, as they achieved this milestone of becoming a British citizen.

I was invited to Castlemere Community Centre for Multi-Faith Partnership’s annual general meeting, with representatives from different faiths and cultures attending. The annual report was discussed as well as discussions on the groups next projects and activities over the next twelve months. We also spoke of community relations, which is doing well in Rochdale. Robin Parker was once again voted in as chair of the group.

Wednesday was the Healthier Catering Excellence Awards at Rochdale Town Hall. Ten school staff from around the borough came to receive awards at this event, but 17 schools have received the award before.

This award is about promoting healthier eating and good hygiene in schools and the school kitchen must have a five-star rating to qualify. Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council, also attended with other councillors.

Thursday, I went to Burnside Community Centre for a volunteer award celebration. Around 60 people attended who had undertook training at the centre. Some volunteers received over three different awards and it was nice to see their enthusiasm, as the awards can help them have better opportunities through a more developed CV.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/119861/

I want to say thank you to Phillip Miller – the chairman of the centre – and Joanne and Kerry as they are an exceptional team and I hope they keep up the good work.

Evening, I went to the Midland Hotel in Manchester for the Henshaws Awards. The awards celebrate exceptional community achievement across Greater Manchester and was attended by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and other Mayors from Greater Manchester areas.

The charity supports people who are living with sight loss, as well as other disabilities, and encourages them to be motivated through activities. I wasn’t aware of the organisation before, but I commemorate the work they have done to help those in need.

I went to Wardle Academy for a musical evening that was well attended by school governors, parents and carers to support the children through various performances. The parents commented on how they are pleased the children are doing so well at the academy, despite also practising for the band and competing in championships.

I presented the students with badges of excellence and the school band sold CDs to raise funds for the music department. The headteacher, Karen Fisher, runs a good team and always makes me feel at home.

Saturday was very busy. There was an armed forces flag raise at the town hall before the unveiling of a bee flower bed at Queen’s Park. I then went to Heywood market with fellow councillors and visited other local businesses in the area.

At the Heywood 1940’s Day Parade, we visited the Lee Rigby stall and I enjoyed the fighter jets and tanks.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/119873/

I also joined the remembrance service at Heywood Memorial Gardens.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/119875/ 

The whole centre of Heywood was busy with people, where I felt welcome and enjoyed the day very much.

Saturday evening, I went to the Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester for Greater Manchester Asian Councillors Community Convention. The ambassador of Pakistan - Syed Idn Abbas - attended especially from London, as well as the council general of Pakistan.

Sunday, I attended Gorton Monastery for the High Sherriff of Greater Manchester’s luncheon, organised in honour of all the mayors of Greater Manchester. I was provided with historical background of the monastery and it was nice to see that people are still using the buildings facilities.

A concert was performed after the luncheon by refugees and asylum seekers in Greater Manchester.

I then went to Kashmiri Youth Project for a celebration of BAME’s voluntary sector and Eid. The chief executive of KYP Training and chief executive of the Centre of Training, Wellbeing and Culture spoke about the work they do together in Rochdale to achieve more for the community.

There was a singing performance by a Qawali group from Bradford who sang songs of praises. This event was well attended.