Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

Date published: 09 November 2018

Remembrance Day is approaching on Sunday 11 November and this week, I have visited various poppy collection points around the borough and witnessed the support the appeal has had from local communities and service personnel from commonwealth countries. It is excellent to see people taking part in remembering and commemorating those who lost their lives. I hope people are encouraged to join the services and parades around the borough on Sunday.

We will always remember them.

I also want to give a special thanks to Rochdale Online for allowing me to produce this column. I always receive positive feedback and enjoy recognising the personal efforts of businesses, volunteers and communities across the borough.

Week commencing Monday 29 October – Sunday 4 November

Monday evening, I was invited to a Black History Month event at Rochdale Town Hall. This event was organised by the council’s Community Safety Unit, in partnership with Caring and Sharing Charity Organisation, to celebrate black history and the diverse African community in Rochdale.

Various stalls provided information on black history and a variety of performances entertained attendees as young people sang, danced and acted.

Yemi Adenuga, a keynote speaker from Ireland, and Aba Graham, National Diversity Award 2018 winner, gave speeches on the background of black history and told how people from Africa began to arrive in Rochdale in the 1970’s. Over the past 10-15 years, we have seen a gradual increase in the number of people in Rochdale from African countries.

Various events have been organised in the UK throughout October to celebrate black history and raise awareness on faith, culture, traditions and struggles. Our borough is an excellent example of multi-faith and multi-culturalism and I am proud of our diverse communities working together.

I thank Carlo Schroder, the community safety team, Link4Life, Wardleworth Women’s Welfare, Caring and Sharing, Big Life Group and Nestac for supporting this wonderful event.

Tuesday, I had a meeting with Linda and Ed Whitaker from Rochdale Photographic Society. This group was established 125 years ago, and the members have excellent photography skills as they capture beautiful images. We discussed running a Mayor’s photographic competition on Rochdale’s natural scenery. I am very grateful to the society for helping me run this and for organising the competition, which should be running in April 2019.

Wednesday, I had private meetings to discuss fundraising ideas and events for the Mayor’s Charity.

Thursday, I was invited to Littleborough Coach House to have afternoon tea with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). RNLI were founded in 1824 as a charity that saves lives at sea. Their lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 140,000 lives, not forgetting the many lives they saved during WW1.

There were a number of stalls selling gifts and raffles were held to raise funds for the charity. Thank you to councillor Ann Stott, Reene Clark, Chairperson and oldest  member, and all the volunteers and supporters of RNLI.

I went to Middleton Arena to see ‘Simply the Best’. This was a performance organised by PossAbilities and hosted by Charlie Crothers who mixed comedy between various musical performances.

PossAbilities is a social enterprise that supports people with learning disabilities and vulnerable people, so that they can live the life they choose. I would like to thank Amanda Higgs, Ruth Bamber, Amanda Holland and the PossAbilities team for an excellent event filled with beautiful songs, dances and dramatics. I really enjoyed the show.

Friday, I went to Southport Convention Centre to attend the North West in Bloom Awards Ceremony, which over 500 people attended from across the North West.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123598/rochdale-borough-%E2%80%98blooms-and-grows%E2%80%99-as-townships-sweep-prestigious-horticulture-awards

I networked with mayors and officers from other boroughs before being taken to the convention hall for the awards ceremony and lunch. I was so glad to see beautiful pictures of Rochdale in bloom appearing again and again on the giant screen. Rochdale had a good following and representation at the ceremony as councillors, officers, volunteers and community organisations joined us on the day.

All four townships of the borough did well in scooping more than 30 awards in various categories. I felt very proud and honoured walking up to the stage with colleagues when Rochdale’s name was called on numerous occasions to receive awards.

I thank councillors, the environment team, members of businesses, community organisations and volunteers on the In Bloom committees for their hard work and continuous dedication for keeping Rochdale in Bloom. Many congratulations to all for achieving a majority of gold and silver.

Friday evening, I was back at the town hall to attend Rochdale’s Festival of Remembrance. This was organised by Andrew Harrison, Chairman of the Rochdale branch of The Royal British Legion, along with veterans and Margaret Smith, the town centre chaplain.

Over 150 people attended the centenary celebration, but I was especially happy to see young people attending as well as many people from different backgrounds and faiths, as we honoured those who sacrificed their lives for their country and to work towards peace.

I met some veterans who had served and fought in Burma and the commonwealth countries in World War One. The men spoke of how it was difficult to follow orders and make quick decisions but had to do it for their country. They still miss those who are not with us anymore.

Emotion filled the room as the Last Post was sounded and one person from each table laid poppies on a mobile cenotaph. It is important that we always pay tribute to those who battled in the wars, but this year is especially important as we commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One.

Saturday, I had an enjoyable visit to Ashworth View Nursery in Norden for the open day of their new extension. The visit was so enjoyable as the nursery is located at the top of the hills, surrounded by a good environment. Councillor James and Jane Gartside also joined me.

Maggie Beswick who runs the nursery was very pleased to have the extension done as the demand for children meant they needed more space to have more places.

I cut the ribbon to officially open the extension and met with parents and carers who all commented on their children being in good hands. We need more locations like this with top quality facilities and arrangements.

Thank you to all the staff at Ashworth View and Maggie for your hospitality and serving us homemade refreshments. I wish you all the best with the nursery.

I went to Heywood Civic Centre for a brass band concert organised by Rochdale Heartbeat, one of my chosen charities for the year. The charity is run entirely by volunteers who have had heart problems and want to help others with the same problems.

Middleton Youth Brass Band hosted a junior performance and senior performance. Parents enjoyed the juniors playing whilst the senior band were very amusing. It is always nice to see that local bands are doing so well.

Raffle prizes were donated by many people or organisations, who are helping humanity by saving others lives through this fundraising. Every penny makes a difference.

Thank you to Sue from Rochdale Heartbeat who organised the event, along with the volunteers and workers of Heartbeat who spend time and make the effort to change the lives of others. You are all doing a really great job around Rochdale. I hope to fully support you by the end of my mayoral year.