Busy month brings a variety of events
IT’S been another really busy mayoral month, with a range of visits, sporting occasions, community events and much more in a packed diary.
There have been so many lovely events, but the highlights have included the Rochdale Masters V Canada Grizzlies game at Mayfield Rugby Club.
I was given a really warm welcome and it was an enjoyable afternoon and exciting game, watched by a large and enthusiastic crowd.
I think the day was best summed up by the referee, who remarked how the game was played in the true spirit of the masters.
Fitting words, beautifully reflecting a wonderful sporting occasion. Well done to everyone involved.
I would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the mayor’s charity event, hosted at the Kashmir Youth Project to mark Kashmir Day.
The evening consisted of Pahari poetry, speeches and a presentation of the Rochdale ‘walk to Pakistan’ video, which is raising money for the people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan.
My mayoral year has included a visit to a range of schools, including Bowlee Primary School, which I popped to recently to chat with pupils about democracy and the role of local councillors.
I fielded a wide range of questions and was struck by the knowledge, interest and thoughtful ideas.
Thanks to the school for a warm welcome.
● Our borough prides itself on its connectivity, with excellent road, rail, tram and bus links.
As such, I was proud to attend the opening of two really important roads for our borough.
The new 2.2km link road in south Heywood to be named Queen Elizabeth II Way will improve traffic flows, boost business, create investment and uplift the local economy in the Heywood area.
In addition, I was delighted to cut the ribbon to mark the re-opening of Dell Road.
The road that leads to one of Greater Manchester’s most popular beauty spots reopened 48 weeks after the start of a major engineering project to save it from collapse.
The council invested £1 million in saving the road, which provides direct access from Shawclough Road into Healey Dell nature reserve, which is also home to Healey Dell
Heritage Centre and tea rooms and Aunt Mary’s day nursery.
Another brilliant boost for our borough.
● I was honoured to join our Armed Forces community at a recent Armed Forces breakfast, to mark the start of this year’s poppy appeal.
Our borough feel silent on Friday on Armistice Day and again on Sunday, as we came together for Remembrance Sunday services.
Remembrance Sunday is always a moving and reflective day as we come together once again, united as one, to pay tribute to our Armed Forces and honour the service of thousands of men and women from across the borough.
Without the selfless dedication and sacrifices of our Armed Forces, the freedoms, liberty and values we cherish so much, would have been lost. We will never forget.
● A range of local cost of living support is in place for those households most in need.
This includes advice on accessing benefits and pension top ups, health and wellbeing advice, supermarket vouchers, discounted food schemes, housing energy support and targeted assistance for older people and families.
Further information on our Helping Hand cost of living campaign can be found at www.rochdale. gov.uk/costofliving or by calling 01706 923685.
As always, you are all playing your part to make our borough an even better place to live, work and group up in.
A huge and continued thanks to you all.
● I am supported throughout my mayoral year by my wife Syeda Farjana Begum, who will be serving as my mayoress, and my consort Sultan Ali.
I am grateful for their support over the last two months, as it really has been non-stop and a real team effort from us all.
Throughout the year, we will be raising funds for Springhill Hospice, Jolly Josh, Parkinsons UK, Get Together After Serving, Rochdale Connections Trust and other local charities.
All these organisations do amazing work, supported by wonderful teams of staff and volunteers.
I am looking forward to giving them my support. Donations to my charities can be sent to: The Mayor’s Office, floor 2, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU.
If any organisation would like a visit during my mayoral year, 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 www.rochdale.gov.uk/mayor