It is two months since I had the great honour of becoming Mayor of Rochdale. It is a huge privilege to serve the community, along with my wife, Mayoress of Rochdale Iram Faisal.
Since May we have already visited hundreds of charities, schools, businesses and events in Heywood, Middleton, Pennines, and Rochdale. We have been humbled by the generosity and kindness of people across the borough, it’s been a truly inspiring start to the Mayoral year.
As well as so many delightful visits, I think it’s really important to showcase the best of our borough to a national and international audiences. We have such a good story to tell about our borough I am really keen, throughout my mayoral year, to spread the positive messages as wide as possible. It’s in that spirit that, over recent weeks, visitors to the Mayor’s Parlour have included international friends such as the Consulate General of China, the Consulate General of Italy and the Consulate General of Spain. The international flavour was complemented by other lovely visits, including the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh. These distinguished guests really enjoyed their visits, and were particularly impressed by our stunning Grade 1 Rochdale Town Hall. It was an absolute honour and pleasure to meet them.
It’s in that international spirit of cooperation, in the true Rochdalian way, that we have such strong relationships with our twin towns and cities. As part of that ongoing and lasting link, I was delighted to welcome the Friends of Tourcoing to the town hall. Rochdale has been formally twinned with the French City since 1956, a long and heartfelt bond of love. We enjoyed afternoon tea and took a trip down memory lane, as well as toasting many more years of friendship. The past pointing the way to an even better future. Many thanks for such a lovely visit.
When I became Mayor of Rochdale I gave a commitment to visit all parts of the borough and over the last few weeks I have attended events across all townships. These have included Love Littleborough, Heywood Community Fun Day, MiddFest and a lovely and well attended Rochdale Pride. It was lovely to see so many of you at these important events, showing our borough’s diversity and inclusivity at its very best.
As a former veteran, with many years’ service in the Pakistan Navy, I have a strong connection with our local Armed Forces community. I am very proud to have the Armed Forces Breakfast Club as one of mayoral charities. Key forces events I have recently attended include Armed Forces Day flag raisings at Rochdale Town Hall and Middleton Memorial Gardens, Minden Day flag raising and regular visits to the breakfast club. Our local veterans’ community really do represent the very best of us.
I was also extremely proud and humbled to award Wing Commander David Forbes with a special mayoral certificate. David has been at the heart of the local armed forces community for many years, serving with great distinction as president of the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion. He’s been at the heart of many local initiatives that have grown and expanded over the years, including the breakfast club. There is no one more deserving of mayoral recognition than David.
Other key events I have attended over recent weeks have included a charming summer garden celebration at Springhill Hospice; as I said in my last column Springhill is an incredible organisation, caring for patients and loved ones across the borough of Rochdale who are affected by life limiting conditions like cancer, motor neurone disease, and heart failure. We are blessed to have this in incredible organisation in our borough and long may they continue to make every moment count.
The council’s White Ribbon football tournament at Heywood Sports Village was an excellent event, helping to promote the message to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women. Thanks to everyone who played their part in getting across such an important message, whilst also showcasing their footballing skills.
I also enjoyed a lovely summer garden party at Half Acre House Care Home in Rochdale; their lovely grounds are an idyllic setting and the afternoon charmed and delighted in equal measure.
Throughout my mayoral year the mayoress and I hope we can rely on your support, across the community, to raise important funds for these charities. Working together, we can all play our part in supporting what they do to improve people’s lives. I look forward to meeting as many people as possible over the coming 12 months, as I serve our wonderful borough as its civic head and first citizen.
Donations to my charities can be sent to:
The Mayor’s Office, Rochdale Borough Council, Floor 2, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. If any organisation would like a visit, please ring 01706 924834 and my team will be happy to help. Further information on my charities and the work I will be undertaking can be found at rochdale.gov.uk/mayor
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