As the halfway point of the mayoral year is reached, the first citizen of Rochdale has provided a reflective update on a busy and inspiring six months in office. The Mayor, accompanied by consort Ken, has engaged extensively across the borough's township areas, including the Pennines, Heywood, Middleton, and Rochdale itself.
A Borough United in Remembrance and Respect
The recent Remembrance commemorations were highlighted as a powerful example of the community at its best. As First Citizen, the Mayor laid wreaths at both the Rochdale Cenotaph and the Wardle War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. The day was described as poignant and reflective, with residents of all ages and backgrounds coming together to honour the fallen.
The turnout at Rochdale Cenotaph was noted as one of the largest seen in years, underscoring the borough's deep respect for the Armed Forces community. The Mayor paid tribute to the selfless sacrifices made to protect cherished freedoms and values.
A special thanks was extended to the volunteers of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, whose efforts raised over £30,000 across the borough. These vital funds support serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
Championing Community and Celebrating Success
The Mayor's engagements have spanned the full breadth of community life, from opening new facilities and attending countless events to welcoming diverse groups to the Town Hall. Veterans, sports teams, award winners, and community champions have all been recognised for their contributions.
A strong focus was placed on advancing women's sport locally. The Mayor welcomed the Rochdale Hornets women’s rugby league team to celebrate their unbeaten season and promotion, presenting them with a special mayoral certificate. Recognition was also given to Rochdale Mayfield’s women’s team for their fantastic season and their role in a gripping final against the Hornets.
The Mayor pledged to continue being a champion for widening access and creating career opportunities in sport for women and girls.
A Tapestry of Culture and Charity
The borough's rich diversity has been celebrated through numerous events. These included the Rochdale’s Got Talent fundraiser for the Mayor's charities, showcasing young local talent in music, acting, and the arts.
Important cultural observances were also supported, such as Black History Month events, a Nigerian Independence Day flag raising, and a Kashmiri flag raising ceremony. The month also saw the success of the inaugural Rochdale Comedy Festival and the always-popular LittlePinkBorough campaign in Littleborough, promoting cancer awareness.
The Mayor's chosen charities, for which fundraising continues, are:
- Springhill Hospice
- Jolly Josh
- Awakening Minds
- Papyrus
- Women’s Housing Action Group
- The Johnny Alfrey Musical Memorial
Donations can be sent to The Mayor’s Office at Number One Riverside, Rochdale. The Mayor extended a huge personal thanks to these organisations and their volunteers, and invited groups to contact the office on 01706 924834 to arrange a visit.
Concluding the update, the Mayor expressed profound gratitude to everyone across the borough for the warm welcome received, stating it has meant a great deal. Further information on the Mayor's work and charities can be found at rochdale.gov.uk/mayor.
