Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

Date published: 20 September 2018

Our magnificent Town Hall attracts many visitors throughout the year from all over and during the national heritage week hundreds of people visited our Town Hall, enjoyed guided tours and made beautiful comments. Thanks to all town hall staff and volunteers.

Week commencing Monday 10 to Sunday 16 September

On Tuesday  I was at Rochdale Shopmobility as its 25th anniversary was celebrated. Over 40 members attended and celebrated this event with a warm welcome, brief introduction and appreciation by Councillor Ashley Dearnley and Allen Brett, leader of the Council. They praised the progress Shopmobility has made over the past 25 years and the excellent service they provide to its members.

Members present thanked Michelle Hollinrake, her team and volunteers. 

Established in 1993, Shopmobility provides manual powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to help people who have limited mobility to shop with ease and enjoy their own time in Rochdale's town centre. It is for anyone, regardless of age, whether their disability is temporary or permanent. Shopmobility also provides escorts for people with sensory difficulties, to help with shopping.

Anyone wishing to become member can get in touch with Shopmobility on 01706925986 or visit 12 River Street, Rochdale.

On Wednesday, I visited Werneth Learning Centre, Eliemental project information event.

The project, funded by the Leonardo da Vinci, Lifelong Learning Programme, is delivering training projects in four countries, Romania, Poland, Greece and the United Kingdom.

Eliemental is working with people who wish to develop enterprise skills through this excellent training programme, so that they can learn about barriers that prevent them getting onto the enterprise ladder.

Certificates are awarded to successful candidates. 

Dr Carolyn Downs, project coordinator and lecturer at Lancaster University, and Dr Fahad Hasan gave an overview of the project and training programmes. I have requested if this can be extended to Rochdale, to benefit members of our community. They will consider this request and hope to be in touch.

In the evening, I was invited to grand re-opening of La Minhaz Restaurant and charity dinner. The restaurant, established in 1996 has been fully refurbished to high standard with nice interior design.

The owner, Moshahid Hussain, invited his customers to grand re-opening to raise funds for Springhill Hospice. Raffle tickets were sold. A famous DJ warmed the environment with live music and inspired people to dance. Everyone enjoyed the evening and delicious meal. Customers offered generous donations and over £850 were raised for Springhill Hospice and NB Trust.

Thanks to Harvey Morgan, a local businessman, Councillor Donna Williams and everyone for their kind donations.

Many congratulations and thanks to the owner, chef and staff at La Mihaz for organising this charity event for a worthy cause.

 

 

On Thursday, I was at the launch of Primary Care Academy at Rochdale football stadium.

The academy is set up to strengthen primary care across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, covering all aspects of primary care from GP surgeries, nurses and wider care provided by health professionals. The academy will focus on developing strong leadership, mentoring, training, retention and resilience.

A competition, involving local schools, was organised to design the logo for the care academy that was won by Olivia Carr from Middleton Technology School.

A number of information stalls provided useful information at this launch. Health professionals, representatives of many local organisations were present at the launch.

Thanks to Dawn O’Brien and Dr Gill Tong and everyone involved.

 

 

Later in the afternoon a local reporter of A1 TV, Farhat Kazmi, visited the Town Hall to produce a short report to promote national heritage week and encourage viewers to visit our fantastic Town Hall.

Thanks to A1 TV.

I also attended Mayor’s monthly charity meeting.

Thank you to Mayoralty team and all volunteers.

In the evening I was invited by Hopwood Hall College to attend the Higher Education, Graduation Ceremony at the Town Hall.

Over 80 students received their graduation in different faculties.

The ceremony was also attended, by families and friends. It was good to see many local young people doing well in their educational achievements.

Nazir Afzal, the new chairman of governors attended this event as well.

Congratulations and good luck to all students for their incredible achievements and thanks to all college staff.

 

 

Later in the evening I attended annual general meeting of Pennine District Scouts Association at the Masonic Hall in Middleton.

Pennine Scouts Association was initially, set up in 1908 in Wardle and now covers districts of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, with hundreds of members and volunteers.

The meeting was well attended by over 70 members. Reports were presented, and elections were held to appoint new officers of association.

A presentation by scouts’ group that completed Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award talked about their experience and achievement.

Retiring chairman Rodney Macdonald and volunteers were thanked by all members. Alan Shakey, district commissioner and new chairman, Gary Walczak, thanked everyone for their attendance.

A light buffet was served at the end of the meeting.

On Friday, we had visit by High Sheriff of Manchester, Dr Robina Shah, who was appointed the first Muslim female High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in April this year. She visited the Blue Mosque and met with women and young girls, she also visited volunteers of Rochdale Samaritans to find out more about their services and appreciated the good work they are doing.

Thanks to the Samaritans team. 

Later she visited Springhill Hospice, where she had a tour of the hospice and learned about the services provided by the hospice.

Thanks to Julie Halliwell, staff and volunteers at Springhill Hospice for their kind hospitality.

 

Later we visited Rochdale Soup kitchen and met with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Andy came to visit soup kitchen and meet the volunteers and homeless people. He was presented a cheque by Chris Furlong and his colleagues, who raised money for Mayor’s charity for homeless people.