Mayor's Column: Councillor Aasim Rashid

Date published: 28 July 2021

Councillor Aasim Rashid was sworn in as the Mayor of Rochdale on Wednesday 19 May 2021.

This column is about the places he has been and the people he has met from 23 June – 29 June 2021.

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On Wednesday 23 June, I attended a coffee morning at Darnhill Library for the relaunch of local non-profit organisation Colourful Minds. This was the group’s first engagement following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and I was glad to attend and learn how they came together to help parents in Heywood.

Set up in September 2020, Darnhill Library will be the groups new forever home where they will continue to support the wellbeing of parents and carers of families with special educational needs and disabilities.
 

Read more: Colourful Minds relaunched at its new forever home in HeywoodPublished: 10 July 2021

 

 

Next on 23 June was a Zoom meeting where I listened to life stories of those affected by and diagnosed with HIV and the recovery process. The online event was organised by George House Trust who provide support for people living with HIV in Greater Manchester.

The aim of the Zoom was to hear more about their new project ‘Age+’, which aims to improve the lives of George House Trust service users who are aged 55+. This will be done through one-to-one support, peer support groups, activities, events, skills-based training, and volunteering opportunities.

Age+ will ensure that service users receive the information, guidance, and knowledge to live fulfilling lives with confidence.

Last on 23 June I attended the licensing of Revd Janie Cronin at a new church in Rochdale town centre. Revd Cronin was licensed as minister to Nelson Street Church by the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, in a service that celebrated the transformation of the building. Before a church, the building was a restaurant ‘Red and Hot World Buffet’ amongst other things.

The church has grown an online congregation of around 40 people during lockdown and this was the first opportunity for many to meet each other in person. I attended with the Bishop of Bolton, Rt Revd Mark Ashcroft, and Sir Tony Lloyd MP.
 

Read more: New church opens in Rochdale town centre in building formerly used as restaurant and nightclubPublished: 25 June 2021

 

 

I completed a sponsored walk along Rochdale canal for Healey Care Ltd on Friday 25 June. The Mayor of Whitworth, Councillor Maureen Jones, was there too and it was nice meeting with her, as well as Healey Care service users, staff, and children from Tor View school in Rossendale.

Healey Care Ltd is a Whitworth-based company that provides support services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. The company organised this event to mark Learning Disability Week and raise funds for the Friends of Tor View School, and to also kick off their 25th anniversary celebrations.

Thank you to Healey Care for inviting me to join them.
 

Read more: Healey Care service users mark Learning Disability Week by completing charity walkPublished: 01 July 2021

 

 

Saturday 26 June began with a Royal British Legion Centenary Service at St Chad’s Church, which commemorated, celebrated, and was attended by many members of the Armed Forces community during Armed Forces Week.

The Royal British Legion was established in 1921 and for over 100 years has supported service men and women, ex-serving personnel and their families by creating better futures for those who have served.

Littleborough resident Marjorie Greenhalgh also celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at St Andrew’s, Dearnley on 26 June. The mayoress and I attended and presented Marjorie with flowers, a card and wished her a very happy 100th birthday and good health. I hope she enjoyed her special day.
 

Read more: 100th birthday bash for Marjorie Greenhalgh at St Andrew’sPublished: 07 July 2021

 

 

I had lunch with the counsel general of Pakistan at his residence. This was a get together with other dignitaries to discuss the forthcoming cricket match being played for my charities on Thursday 29 July at Rochdale Sports Club. Entry is free to watch the match but the dinner that follows is ticketed.

This will be the first charity event organised this year in aid of the Mayor’s Charity Appeal. You can email mayoral@rochdale.gov.uk to enquire about tickets.

 

 

Sunday 27 June was a rugby match between Rochdale Hornets and North Wales Crusaders where I enjoyed a nice meal. The match was won by Hornets with a result of 38 points to 28 points. It was a great result as this was the local team’s first home game after Covid-19 restrictions ended.

 

Read more: Rugby League: Rochdale Hornets 38 - 28 North Wales CrusadersPublished: 28 June 2021

 

 

I raised the Pride flag outside Rochdale’s Number One Riverside building on Monday 28 June to mark 2021 Pride. All future flag raisings will be held here until Rochdale Town Hall reopens.

I believe that equality in the community is so important, and that everyone deserves to have equal rights and equal opportunities. The Rochdale borough is one of the most diverse communities and we must respect one another.

Rochdale’s LGBT+ steering group, Rochdale in Rainbows, was established in November 2018 and coordinated events and activities throughout the town for Pride month with LGBT+ people. The group is made up of organisations including Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), and Your Trust (formerly Link4Life).
 

Read more: Rochdale in Rainbows celebrates 2021 PridePublished: 24 June 2021

 

 

Then again I was at Rochdale’s Parish Church, St Chad’s, to welcome the new vicar of Rochdale, Reverend Anne Gilbert.  I attended a service at the church and congratulated the new vicar.

The Bishop of Middleton, Revd Mark Davies said in his speech that Rochdale is a really diverse community, and our diversity is something that we should be proud of, and I couldn’t have agreed more.

I assured Revd Gilbert that the mayoral office will work with her churches, will strengthen interfaith and harmony, and will have engagements in future where all interfaith leaders can come together to bring the communities closer.

We need to show our unity so no hatred or any kind of religious hatred and division is in our communities.
 

Read more: Reverend Anne Gilbert officially becomes the new vicar of RochdalePublished: 08 July 2021

 

 

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The Mayor’s Charity Appeal for 2021/22 will be raising funds for Springhill Hospice, Parkinson’s UK, Petrus Rochdale, Jolly Josh, and Rochdale Shopmobility. All donations are gratefully received and will go to these fantastic local causes.

You can donate to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal (registered charity number 1043910) by:

BACS or bank transfer:
Barclays Bank Rochdale Branch
Account Name: Mayor of Rochdale's Charity Appeal
Account Number: 53356159
Sort code: 20-72-67

Cheque: make cheques payable to The Mayor's Charity. You can drop them off at the front desk at Number One Riverside or post them to:

​​The Mayor's Office
Number One Riverside
Smith Street
Rochdale
OL16 1XU​​​​

 

 

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 924890