Page 20 - Real Rochdale Issue 16 Winter 2022

Civic honours bestowed
on 12 for outstanding
contributions
Twelve local people who have made
outstanding contributions to the borough have
been bestowed civic honours by Rochdale
Borough Council.
Six community champions and charity workers, a
local businessman and a former medical
director have been given the freedom of the
borough, while four former councillors were
made aldermen. Rochdale-born England and
Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh is also to be
awarded freedom of the borough at a later date.
Sheila Acton was awarded freedom of the
borough in recognition of her remarkable
contribution to community and voluntary
activities for over 50 years. She has been
volunteering locally, supplying countless hours
of her time, beginning with the Girl Guides
movement in 1970.
Sheila is chair of Syke Community Base which
opened in 2002, vice-chair of the Voluntary
Sector Partnership, a member of Friends of
Rochdale Town Hall, Rochdale Rotary and a
recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris
fellowship award.
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A former Rochdale Woman of the Year, in 2007
she received the Greater Manchester
Community Star award for her contributions to
the community and voluntary sector across the
borough.
Described by Councillor Ashley Dearnley as “a
bright star in the borough,” Sheila said: “I am so
proud and happy to receive this accolade.”
John Kay, consultant at Molesworth, Bright,
Clegg Solicitors and former president of
Rochdale Rotary Club, also received the
freedom of the borough.
Involved with several charities, he was a
director of Rochdale Enterprise Agency, chair-
man of the NSPCC Rochdale business group,
director of Rochdale Deaf Society, the Children’s
Rights and Advocacy Service and Rochdale
Connections Trust.
A member of Greater Manchester Chamber and
deputy chair of the local strategic partnership,
John has had many other roles over the past 40
years, including supporting Littleborough Civic
Photos, clockwise from top left:
• Sheila Acton being presented with her award
by mayor councillor Ali Ahmed.
• Dr Musharraf Hussain being presented with
his award.
• John Kay being presented with his award.
• Ghulam Rasul Shahzad being presented with
his award by mayor councillor Ali Ahmed,
alongside council leader Neil Emmott (left)
and consort Sultan Ali (right).
• Razia Shamim was presented with her award
by mayor councillor Ali Ahmed, alongside
council leader Neil Emmott (left), councillor
Janet Emsley and consort Sultan Ali (right).
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Trust and Littleborough Coach House. In 2018
he was named Man of the Year by Springhill
Hospice.
He described the honour as “a wonderful
surprise.”
Razia Shamim was also awarded the freedom
of the borough. She is the first Asian woman in
Rochdale to be awarded the freedom of the
borough, and was the first Asian woman in
Rochdale to be awarded an MBE.
She received the MBE in 1998 for services to
housing and community relations and is chair of
the Pakeeza Women’s Group, as well as a
member of other local voluntary organisations
aimed at reducing isolation among women,
promoting cohesion, health and wellbeing.
Razia has helped raise thousands of pounds
for various organisations, both in the UK and
abroad.
Dr Musharraf Hussain, was made a freeman of
the borough. He served Rochdale for over 40
years as a hospital doctor and then as GP at
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Healey Surgery until his recent retirement.
Musharraf was also the clinical director of
Rochdale Primary Care Trust and continues to
be a proactive community ambassador,
supporting several local community enterprises
involved in healthcare and mental wellbeing.
Ghulam Rasul Shahzad was also made a freeman
of the borough. A recipient of an OBE from the
late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the
community, the retired magistrate is a member
of several local voluntary groups.
Saeed Dar was made a freeman of the borough
in recognition of his significant contribution to
education and the community.
Javed Akhtar and Ali Asghar were also made
freemen of the borough in recognition of their
significant and continued contribution to the
community, and their voluntary activities.
Former councillors Tom Bailey, Mohammed
Sharif and former mayors Keith Swift and Ian
Duckworth were made honorary aldermen.
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