Mayor’s Column: Councillor Aasim Rashid

Date published: 30 September 2021

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

This weekly column is about the places he has been and the people he has met from Monday 6 September to Sunday 19 September.

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The mayoress and I attended Pakeeza Women’s Group luncheon at Castlemere Community Centre on Monday 6 September. The group was formed after the Rochdale Asian Ladies group, run by Age Concern, could no longer run after funding was withdrawn. It helps hundreds of women in Rochdale with advice on housing, health, and social issues, as well as other personal problems. Thank you to all the Pakeeza members for their hard work and for inviting us for a delicious lunch.

I presented certificates to volunteers in the Mayor’s Parlour on Wednesday 8 September. This group of volunteers – made up of Northern, Network Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Rochdale Borough Council employees plus others - helped to tidy up the inner reception areas of Rochdale train station on Wednesday 4 August. The group added planters, new artwork, and made the building look so much more welcoming to visitors.

I thanked the volunteers for their kind efforts as they were recognised with certificates.

 

 

I formally congratulated Springhill Hospice professionals at Rochdale Sports Club on Friday 10 September as I handed out certificates to those who have completed the annual Palliative Care Education Passport programme.

The programme, which is developed and delivered by the Education Team at Springhill, provides training and information for health care professionals who are working with people, and their families, in their last years of life. It has been running for 5 years now and over the last 12 months has been delivered online.

Health and social care staff have undeniably had a very difficult year and unfortunately many have seen more deaths than normal. To have been through this and to still attend training to learn new skills is amazing. Hundreds of nurses and health care providers have taken part in the invaluable training since the programme began in 2015.

Well done to all those who enhanced their skills and took part in the programme this year.

 

 

Friday (10 September) evening was Rochdale Hornets 150th anniversary celebration at Norton Grange Hotel. The council leader Councillor Neil Emmott and Rochdale MP Sir Tony Lloyd also attended as well as 120 guests who enjoyed a meal, quiz, raffle, and an auction.

I would like to congratulate Hornets on their 150th anniversary; I think it’s a great achievement for the borough and wish them all the success in the future. Thank you to the board of directors for their fantastic efforts in raising the profile of Rochdale Hornets.

 

Read more: Rochdale Hornets celebrate 150-year anniversary with dinner at Norton GrangePublished: 16 September 2021

 

 

The annual Wardle Village Fete & Dog Show was held on Saturday 11 September but unfortunately, I could not attend. Thank you to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ali Ahmed, for attending the Fete on my behalf.

 

Read more: Annual Wardle Village Fete raises £1,000 for PAWSPublished: 15 September 2021

 

The Press Club of Pakistan UK commemorated the 73rd anniversary of the death of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, at Castlemere Community Centre on Sunday 12 September. Organised by Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE (general secretary of the Press Club), I marked the occasion with MP Sir Tony Lloyd, Lord Wajid Khan, local councillors, and other distinguished guests.

 

Read more: Death of Pakistan's founder commemorated at Castlemere Community CentrePublished: 22 September 2021

 

 

The next engagement the following week was a great honour for me as I led my first British Citizenship presentation at Number One Riverside. Usually held in Rochdale Town Hall, the ceremony officially welcomes new residents to the Rochdale borough and sees them recognised as British citizens.

Under the Immigration and Asylum Act of 2002 all new citizens must attend the ceremony and take an oath to the Queen and pledge to be loyal to the UK. As they achieved this milestone of becoming a British citizen, I hope the attendees enjoy their new lives here.

 

 

On Thursday 16 September I attended a ribbon cutting event at local logistics business MW Fulfilment Services to mark the business’ expansion into the Rochdale borough. Owner Mike Walls has nearly 40 years’ experience, but first launched MW Fulfilment Services in 2018 in Bolton.

Opening its first facility in the Rochdale borough in August 2020, the business expanded to Heywood and has now taken on a second unit which will see the relocation of the Bolton facility to here. The company has taken a nine-year lease on a 23,000 sq. ft unit in Broadfield Business Park, Heywood, which will be the base for its eCommerce division. I wish them the best of luck in this new home.

 

 

Friday evening (17 September) was the Pakistani & Kashmiri Community Association annual dinner and Qawali [a style of music] night at Castlemere Banqueting Hall. This was a fantastic evening full of entertainment attended by different members of the community and guests of honour including Consul General Tariq Wazir, Sir Tony Lloyd MP for Rochdale, and Lord Wajid Khan. Thank you to PKCA for inviting me.

 

 

On Saturday afternoon (18 September) I attended Rochdale Parachute Regimental Association’s annual commemoration at St Chad’s Church for the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

The Battle of Arnhem took place in Holland in September 1944. In this operation, around 10,000 men safely landed at Arnhem to take part in the battle, out of which, 1,400 were killed and more than 6,000 were captured. Known as Operation Market Garden, this was the largest airborne operation of its time as three British brigades formed a division and were tasked with securing and holding the Rhine Bridge in Holland.

We will always remember them.

 

 

I was invited to Manchester Cathedral later on Sunday for the Manchester Mothers’ Union End of Triennium Service of Thanksgiving. This is an annual event, hosted by the Mothers’ Union group, where mayors and mayoresses and other local groups are invited to celebrate different things each year. The service was led by President and Preacher Reverend Dr. David Walker and the Diocesan President Christine Sharp.

With a singer, great hospitality, and collection of donations for Manchester Foodbank, it was a very enjoyable thanksgiving service with the theme of Salt & Light.

 

 

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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