Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

Date published: 11 July 2018

First of all, thank you to the Rochdale Online staff for continuing to support me and spread the news of my role around the borough. You help me to show that I am always calling on different people and learning new information about the organisations I visit daily.

My role is about encouraging, motivating, supporting and inspiring others and I hope I inspire others as I go along too.

Week commencing Monday 2 – Sunday 8 July

To start the week, I attended the Reading University Graduation at Rochdale Town Hall. This is an initiative where pupils from ten different primary schools around the borough, who are inspired and encouraged to read, are invited to sit in the great hall and receive awards with their teachers.

This initiative is good in our digital day and age, as not many young people now sit down and read a book – they prefer to be on their phones, reading through social media.

I invited the pupils to write a short story to read on Crescent Radio, in hopes to keep them motivated and encouraged to read books and write in the future.

I had a meeting with Rochdale Sixth Form College’s new principal, Richard Ronksley, and his colleagues. They came to the clock tower for lunch and I invited them into the Mayor’s parlour for a talk before giving them a tour of the Town Hall.

Some of the staff had not been to the Town Hall before but commented on how they thought it was a beautiful and amazing building.

It is good to see the college is keen to work with the council.

The Children’s Champions Results Event of 2018 then took place at the Town Hall.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/120260/

The event was supported by teachers, parents, carers and councillors and was very well attended.

I appreciate these children who have a passion for making the environment, education and community better in Rochdale. They inspire not only their school but all the people around them and I was touched by their knowledge, even at such a young age.

As the RHS in Bloom judges arrived in Rochdale town centre, I invited them to join me on the Town Hall balcony to look at the memorial gardens. They were very pleased and admired the pop-up garden, as we aim to make to make the environment and area better each year.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/120174/

I attended the opening of the WW1 memorial pop-up garden by Rochdale in Bloom. It is good to see that Rochdale have taken this lead in remembering the soldiers and to say thank you to all the heroes who fought for our freedom.

I am honoured to have opened the garden and hope everyone will appreciate the message behind it.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/120223/

I went to Nye Bevan House for their celebration of the NHS’ 70th birthday. Here, I visited the GP surgeries, opticians, the chemist and the café where they had many displays on the history of the building and Nye Bevan himself.

I also attended Rochdale Infirmary’s NHS 70th celebrations. This was well attended and provided me with lots of information.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/120256/

It is hard to believe that there was once a time when only wealthy people could afford quick treatment and people with not a lot of money had to dress their wounds and care for each other at home, with high risks.

I appreciate the staff and patients’ efforts in celebrating this big occasion.

Friday, I went to the Etihad Stadium for Greater Manchester School Games, which Wardle Academy and a few primary schools attended from Rochdale. There were also Greater Manchester mayors, headteachers from various schools and people connected to sports in attendance.

I want to thank Wardle Academy and the primary schools who regularly attend this annual event and represent the young people of Rochdale in a positive light.

Weekend, I went to Oulder Hill High School for their ‘Our Big Day’ event. This was in celebration of young people who achieved special awards for their behaviour, attitude and performance in school who had made good progress from their efforts.

I thank Christopher Tyler and Lisa Goslin, who organised the day, as there were so many activities to take part in.

Thank you to all who took part and provided activities, such as Rochdale Athletic Football Club and Rochdale Youth Service and the providers of face painting, henna, the giant inflatable bouncy castle and various stalls.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/120363/sun-shines-as-big-day-is-a-big-hit-for-local-children