Weekly Column: Mayor Mohammed Zaman

Date published: 21 March 2019

The weekly column from the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mohammed Zaman about the places he has been and the people he has met during the week commencing Monday 11 March to Sunday 17 March 2019.

Hundreds of local people were in attendance at the New Zealand Terrorist Attack Peace Vigil at Rochdale Cenotaph on Sunday. Rochdale is spreading the message that we condemn this vicious attack on innocent Muslim worshippers killed during Friday prayers on 15 March 2019.

This attack sent a shockwave around the globe as some of the 50 killed fled the atrocities of war in places such as Syria and Afghanistan, not aware of the fate that awaited them, and felt Christchurch was their safe haven.

Thank you to everyone who attended the vigil to show our solidarity with New Zealand and provide support for all affected. We have strength through diversity.

Week commencing Monday 11 March – Sunday 17 March

Monday, we had a Commonwealth flag raising at Rochdale Town Hall for the annual celebration of Commonwealth Day. A new theme is chosen annually for Commonwealth Day and this year, Her Majesty The Queen chose the theme ‘A Connected Commonwealth’.

The flag raising had a good turnout of local citizens and we spoke of how glad we are to have maintained international links and connections with the Commonwealth countries for 70 years, marking the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth in 2019.

Thank you to all who attended to celebrate the practical value and global engagement of Commonwealth Day.

I was invited to Hebron Church on Falinge Road for an event with Brownhill Learning Community students where I presented a group of people with certificates. These certificates acknowledged the work they carried out over the past six weeks, creating items to give back to the local community at Hebron Church.

I was incredibly impressed by all of the work, imagination and creativity of the pupils and the determination they had to finish the projects, to show they had learnt the importance of giving back.

Thank you to Jackie Robinson from Brownhill Learning Community for inviting me to witness the progression these students have made and to community artist for Rochdale Council, Joanne Phillips, who led the art sessions.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126596/brownhill-learning-community-taught-the-importance-of-giving-back

Tuesday, I hosted the monthly British Citizenship Registrars presentation at Rochdale Town Hall. I presented certificates to citizens who have recently received their British citizenship from the government and welcomed them on behalf of the borough to their official new home – Rochdale.

There are 90 different languages spoken in Rochdale and I am very proud of our diversity.

Maisie Yarnall who trains at a gymnastics club in Heywood was invited to the Mayor’s Parlour to celebrate her winning a silver medal for her gymnastic talents. She invited four generations of her family along who were all very pleased and encourage her to continue to develop her talent and skills.

I am very proud of her and wish her the best of luck with gymnastics in the future.

Tuesday evening, I went to Castlemere Community Centre for a talk to raise awareness of diabetes and to break down the barriers of live organ donation. This event was very well attended with a large number of consultants and medical professionals joining the talk from various Greater Manchester hospitals. They gave useful tips and advice to the public on the intake of certain foods and how to maintain good health in the long term.

The abbreviation SOS is more commonly known as ‘Save Our Souls’, but I think of it as ‘Salt, Oil and Sugar’ – three things that you should reduce the intake of to have good health and wellbeing.

Thank you to Khalid Bashir who organised this event, I really enjoyed it.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126590/breaking-down-the-barriers-surrounding-live-organ-donation

Wednesday, I was invited to Apna Ghar on Belfield Road for an annual celebration event held by the Centre of Wellbeing, Training and Culture (CWTC). The centre has been running for 29 years and holds various training sessions for the public on health issues such as dementia, diabetes and raising awareness on mental health. They also do a lot of work with South Asian communities across Greater Manchester.

I presented certificates to those who completed their level 1 and 2 training at the centre and had the chance to network with health professionals on the day.

Thank you to Mohammed Sarwar from CWTC who always helps and supports the community in any way he can, making a big difference to not only people in Rochdale but in Greater Manchester.

Thursday morning, I attended the Veterans Breakfast Club in the Clock Tower Dining Room with Uniformed Public Services students from Hopwood Hall College, Middleton who were volunteering.

The students came to meet the veterans and talk to them about their experiences so they could learn more about the prospects of jobs in the armed forces and what to expect when they join different areas such as the Marines, Army, Navy or Air Force.

Thank you to the students for attending and for showing a keen interest and speaking to the veterans.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126727/students-volunteer-at-veterans-breakfast-club

Thursday afternoon, I went to Littleborough Coach House for afternoon tea with the Rochdale branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. This group organise regular events and are very friendly, lovely people who make me feel comfortable every time I visit. Even though Rochdale is not near the sea, the group still continue to raise money for the lifeboat services in other areas of the country.

This was the second time I visited the group and every time I go, I learn something new from them and treasure their kindness and how they always provide a helping hand. I am proud to have them in our community.

I watched The Addams Family – The Musical at Heywood Civic Centre performed by Heywood Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (HAODS). The cast were extremely talented as they sung and danced throughout the show.

I had a wonderful evening, as I’m sure everyone else did too who attended, and want to thank Alex Blakeley for the hospitality provided.

Friday, we had another flag raising at Rochdale Town Hall for St Patrick’s Day. I enjoyed learning about St Patrick as it is a topic I have never researched before and enjoyed the company of the people who attended with an Irish background.

I was presented with an Irish shamrock, which looks like three hearts together on a leaf, which made me feel a sense of unity. I was really glad to see a good turnout.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126686/irish-flag-raised-for-st-patricks-day

Afternoon, I went to Mandale Park for a tree planting ceremony. I joined a ceremonial planting of saplings that form part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, organised by Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT).

RCT brought service-users along, who reflected on the planting of the trees as a personal symbolic re-birth on their journey of recovery from the traumatic effects of domestic violence and abuse. Despite the weather, many still joined us.

Thank you to Beverley Place and Vivienne Carter from RCT who invited me and organised this ceremony.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126722/rochdale-connections-trust-plants-trees-for-queen%E2%80%99s-commonwealth-canopy

Saturday, I attended Rochdale’s second Food and Drink Festival. This has proved to be a very popular event organised by Rochdale Council. The town hall was packed with stallholders and the public, as live demonstrations by chefs were also on hand. I really enjoyed these live cooking sessions, particularly the one by the festival kitchen host Aazam Ahmad.

I watched Aazam produce three dishes in only forty minutes and each one was delicious as we got to taste them after. He told me that he loves Rochdale and enjoyed attending the festival.

Thank you to the council’s event manager, Sue Milne and other council officers who organised this successful day. It attracted not only people from Rochdale but from all different areas outside of the borough.

Sunday, I was invited to Sacred Heart Church at Kingsway for a St Patrick’s Day celebration, organised by St Patricks Association. This event was very entertaining as singers sang traditional Irish songs and a raffle took place. Thank you to Patrick Shine for inviting me.

Finally, I went to the New Zealand Terrorist Attack Peace Vigil at Rochdale Cenotaph, which I have addressed in my opening remark.

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 92477