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VETERANS BREAKFAST CLUB
HIGHLIGHTS OF A MAYORAL YEAR
Councillor Mohammed Zaman completed his year as Mayor of
Rochdale in May 2019. Katie Davies spoke to him about his highlights.
Attending as many events as I could, I met
various individuals and groups -
acknowledging and appreciating all the work
they are doing within Rochdale and beyond. I
feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to
witness all the good work throughout the
borough and to become friends with those who
make a difference and add value to others’ lives.
People ask me what my highlights were as the
Mayor of Rochdale, or what special things I did,
and when I look back and reflect on the different
engagements I attended, the wonderful things
I observed and the kind people I met, I think my
highlight is that my main focus was achieved. I
wanted to bring people together from different
areas of our borough, and of different cultural
backgrounds and faiths, making sure everyone
received the respect they deserve.
Mayor Mohammed Zaman and Mayoress Naaira Zaman
REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2019
Held in the Clock Tower Dining Room at
Rochdale Town Hall every Thursday, the
Veterans Breakfast Club is attended by
approximately 70 to 90 veterans and
serving members of the armed forces. Many of
the veterans served in World War Two, others in
I chose six charities to benefit from the Mayor’s more recent campaigns such as Iraq,
Charity Appeal last year: Afghanistan, Bosnia and the Suez Crisis.
• Springhill Hospice The veterans meet up for comradeship, support
• Parkinson’s UK and a sense of belonging, or just to chat and
• Moorend Development Trust catch up with their friends. I always felt welcome
• Petrus and enjoyed speaking to the veterans about their
• Rochdale Community Partnership experiences, which they happily shared. It was
• British Heart Foundation nice to hear their memories and learn about all
the different places they had been in the world. Mayor Mohammed Zaman serving breakfasts to veterans
I also made donations to smaller groups
alongside the main charities I chose, as they I admire the veterans in our community and COMMUNITY IFTARS
are all doing excellent work which, I felt, can go think it’s very important to remember their roles
unrecognised. and their service. I presented the club with a I attended many Iftar events (when Muslims
£350 donation, certificate of appreciation and break their fast) at different mosques and
A total of £70,000 was raised over my year engraved plate after my mayoral year was over. community venues during the holy month of
for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal. Thank you Ramadan this year.
to all who donated during my time, it was
greatly appreciated. HEYWOOD CHARITIES FETE Hundreds of people unite to enjoy Iftars every
year. They are held as the end of Ramadan ap-
Organised by the Heywood Charities Fete proaches to reflect on patience, worship, self-
Committee, this traditionally takes place discipline, charity, forgiveness and revival of
annually on the first Sunday in September and spiritual wellbeing.
is supported by many local voluntary groups,
organisations and local businesses, including Ramadan is a month for Muslims to reflect on
Heywood Rotary and Heywood Lions Club. their lives and encourages them to look at those
who are less fortunate and extend a helping
Beginning with a parade through the centre of hand through charity; a lot of people raise funds
Heywood, followed by activities and for charities throughout Ramadan to help others
entertainment at Queen’s Park, this event is one around the globe.
of the biggest and the most long-standing in the
calendar of Heywood, having taken place since
1933. It is good to see families and young people
enjoying the fete and the committee work hard
every year to make the event better than ever.
With thousands attending in 2018, the Charities
Fete provides a great opportunity to raise funds
that are distributed between a number of
charities throughout the upcoming year.
I want to send my thanks to members of the fete
committee, Friends of Queen’s Park, the
volunteers who help, and Heywood Lions Club
for hosting this amazing event each year. Mayor Mohammed Zaman at Heywood Charities Fete in 2018
20 21 REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2019