Mayor’s Column: Councillor Aasim Rashid

Date published: 10 December 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 the week commencing Monday 22 November to Sunday 5 December.

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A white ribbon vigil was held at St Mary in the Baum church on Thursday 25 November to mark White Ribbon Day 2021. Held in the evening, the candlelit service was organised by Rochdale Labour Women’s Group to honour the memory of all those, particularly women, who have been killed because of domestic abuse or other forms of violence.

Guest speakers at the event included MP Jess Philips and Councillor Janet Emsley, and a video message was played from Rachel Williams, the founder of SUTDA - Stand Up to Domestic Abuse.

This was a very thought provoking and moving service as names were read out of all the women killed in the UK since January 2021 due to domestic abuse, with each reader lighting a candle in their memory. Information on local and national organisations that support victims of domestic abuse was also on hand.

Thank you to Rochdale Labour Women’s Group for organising and for commemorating those who have lost their lives whilst raising awareness.
 

Read more: White Ribbon Day: ending male violence against women and girlsPublished: 24 November 2021

 

 

It was time for Springhill Hospice’s annual Man of Rochdale luncheon on Friday 26 November, which I attended at Rochdale Golf Club. I was delighted to attend as the mayor this year, sitting on the top table and showing my ongoing support to one of my chosen charities; it was a wonderful event.

The event raised a staggering £17,070 for the hospice after a two-year absence due to Covid-19.

I think it’s great that we can recognise the hard work of the men in our borough through events such as this, whilst raising much needed funds for a deserving local charity, and I was proud to also see a few young entrepreneurs networking at the event too.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Scholes RNR on being named the Man of Rochdale 2021.
 

Read more: Man of Rochdale 2021: Lieutenant Commander Lawrence ScholesPublished: 26 November 2021

 

 

Saturday 27 November was Lancashire Day, and flags were raised across the borough to mark the annual occasion. I was up and out early to raise the Flag of Lancashire at Littleborough Memorial with Tony Lloyd MP and local councillors, before heading to Milnrow Memorial to also raise the flag there.
 

Read more: Flag raised in Littleborough for Lancashire DayPublished: 29 November 2021

 

 

Later on Saturday, a service was held at Rochdale Memorial Gardens with members of the local Ukrainian community to recognise the 88th anniversary of Holodomor.

The Holodomor was an artificial famine in Ukraine between 1932 and 1933 and this service is held every year in Rochdale to remember the millions of innocent men, women and children who were brutally starved to death by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to force the Ukrainians to adopt their ways. Whole villages were wiped out from starvation.

Rochdale was the first town in the UK not only to honour the victims with a memorial stone, but to also recognise the Holodomor as genocide.
 

Read more: Rochdale’s Ukrainian community remembers 88th anniversary of tragic Holodomor genocidePublished: 29 November 2021

 

 

I attended a celebration at Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum, which is home to the world's largest working steam mill engine in Milnrow. Ellenroad Trust received funds from the National Lottery to make improvements to the building and to improve drainage to prevent more floodings, as well as also make the museum experience more interactive.

They have now finished all the changes and this event was to celebrate and wish them luck in welcoming the public. 

 

 

Saturday evening was Littleborough’s Christmas light switch on in Littleborough Square. Unfortunately, due to the bad weather from Storm Arwen, the organisers - Littleborough Events & Associations Forum (LEAF) - were forced to revise the plans, meant that the usual fun fair, stalls and entertainment had to be cancelled. Nevertheless, there was still a great turnout and fun was had by families.

I turned the lights on with the winner of the Littleborough Lions Peace Poster Competition, 10-year-old Summer-Rose Dixon, and enjoyed the warmth of Holy Trinity Church afterwards for some warmth and to meet Santa and his elves.
 

Read more: Littleborough Christmas lights switch-onPublished: 29 November 2021

 

 

I was invited St Mary in the Baum church on Thursday 2 December for Rochdale Music Service’s annual Christmas concert. This was the 27th annual concert performed by students of Rochdale Music Service, who demonstrated both solo and group performances.

The children entertained us with all types of music ensembles on offer from percussion groups to choirs and folk groups to brass bands, all enjoying Christmas carols. It was a joy to see the youngsters of all different abilities doing something that they love. Merry Christmas to everyone involved with the music service and thank you to all who took part.

TV cameras were in town on Sunday (5 December) for Rochdale AFC’s FA Cup fixture against Plymouth Argyle at the Crown Oil Arena. A minute’s applause was held in the sixth minute of the game as attendees joined the football community in remembering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

The mayoress and I attended with Sir Tony Lloyd MP and several councillors as Rochdale Borough Council were one of the sponsors on the day. Thank you to the club for presenting us with a signed Rochdale AFC shirt to be raffled in aid of my charity appeal this year.

 

 

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The Mayor’s Charity Appeal for 2021/22 is 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​​​​

Phone (one-off text giving): Text ROCHDALE to 70085 to donate £5. Texts costs £5 plus one standard rate message.

 

 

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