New Mayor for Pendle

 

He became Pendle’s first citizen during the annual Mayor Making ceremony on Thursday 16 May at Nelson Town Hall and is joined by his wife Shamim in her role as Mayoress.

His Worship the Mayor of Pendle said: “I am deeply humbled to be appointed Mayor and want to express my personal thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Brian Newman, who has had a fantastic and very successful year. We have worked very well together.

“I would also like to thank councillors for their support. Taking on the role of First Citizen of Pendle fills me with great excitement and pride and I am eager to begin this new chapter of service.

“I am looking forward to highlighting organisations which are doing a fantastic job for the Pendle community."

Councillor Aslam arrived in Pendle from Pakistan as a young boy and started his education at Lomeshaye Primary School in 1966. He later went on to Mansfield High School and Nelson and Colne College.

Whilst at Mansfield High School, he started playing rugby and later played for the Under-21s team at Holt House in Colne. He also played football for Park United Football Club.  

He started his working life at Tesco as an Assistant Manager, before going to work at Mill Courts in Hallam Road, Nelson and then Sam Holding Weaving in Barrowford. From the 1980s until 1992, he worked as a stock controller at Lontex in Barnoldswick at weekends.

Whilst at Mansfield High School and after leaving, he gained a passion for motor vehicles and started studying motor vehicle mechanics.

In 1985 he opened Motor Factor on Scotland Road, then later bought a garage on Carr Road in Nelson and extended it into an MOT station.

He has spent his life working and volunteering, including being Director of Wheels within Wheels and Director at Pendle Community Network, as well as being a Governor at Bradley Primary School for many years. 

Councillor Aslam said: “I would like to say a big thank you to my wife, Shamim, and my family for all their support.

“I am delighted that my wife has agreed to be my Mayoress. I know we will have a very good year.

“This year, The Mayoress’ Charity Appeal Fund will be supporting Pendleside Hospice and The Armed Forces Support Group.

“I hope to raise awareness, promote volunteering and raise charity funds for them.

“The Mayoress and I look forward to a very varied and constructive term of office, which includes the special milestone of Pendle at 50.”

The Deputy Mayor of Pendle was declared as Mohammad Ammer.