New town mayor thanks ‘brilliant’ school

9:32am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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Keighley's new mayor formally accepted his post at a ceremony in the town hall chamber last Thursday.

Councillor Amjad Zaman, 34, who has served on the town council since its formation in 2002, became mayor elect last month.

Cllr Zaman represents Lawkholme and Showfield Ward, lives in Highfield and has worked as a pastoral manager at Greenhead School for ten years.

He is married with four daughters and his wife, Safina, has taken on the role of mayoress.

Last Thursday evening's annual meeting of the council also saw the incoming deputy mayor officially accept her office.

Cllr Margaret Ward, represents Fell Lane and Westburn and joined the town council last May. She is 61, married with two children and five grandchildren and works as a supply teacher at Braithwaite School. She lives in Branshaw Grove, Keighley.

Outgoing civic heads Cllr Brian Hudson, along with his wife and fellow councillor Maureen Hudson, were both presented with badges recognising them as former mayor and mayoress. Another two former mayoresses - Constance Mitchell and Pat Rhodes - also received badges.

Cllr Zaman said he was "honoured" that so many of his friends and family members were in the chamber to see him become mayor.

Speaking after the event, Cllr Zaman thanked his employers for their willingness to make allowances for his new commitment.

"The school has been brilliant," he said.