Praise for "hard working" Lord Mayor as he hands over chains of office

And his colleagues jokingly referenced his infamous stony expression on the scores of photographs taken during his time as mayor.

Councillor Zafar Ali (Cons, Keighley Central) came to the end of his year in office at the annual meeting of Bradford Council yesterday, when he handed the mayoral robes over to fellow Keighley Councillor Doreen Lee.

During his year in office he has attended scores of events, often several in the same day, from business openings to school visits to awards ceremonies, and raised thousands for two charities through his Lord Mayor’s Appeal - Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice and Nightstop Bradford, which helps young people at risk of homelessness find a place to sleep.

After passing the title on to Cllr Lee, who praised Cllr Ali’s hard work over the year, he told the meeting it seemed “scarcely possible” that 12 months had gone by since he took on the role. He added: “To say I’ve enjoyed this past year would be a huge understatement.

“People from every walk of life in this diverse district have supported me. I have seen different people standing together from different nationalities, from different faiths and of no faith.”

He also thanked the Council staff that made his Mayoral year possible.

Cllr Ali retained his seat on the Council in the local elections earlier this month - winning 50 per cent of all votes cast in his ward.

Praising Cllr Ali and his time as Mayor, Councillor Mike Gibbons (Conservative, Ilkley) said: “You have spent an incredible year working really hard for the people of Bradford and this Council. It is a hard job, and not a job that is entered into lightly.

“You get to see all sorts and events and interact with all sorts of people.

“I know you have always given yourself fully to the role and have done a great job.

“As a modest man I know you are not keen to be in photographs, and rumour has it the Telegraph & Argus has a reward for anyone who is able to get a photo of you smiling.”

Cllr Gibbons also praised Cllr Ali’s wife and Mayoress Zeabunnessa Zafar for her role during the mayoral year.

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe also thanked Cllr Ali, saying: “I know you have worked so hard this year, and I always see you at events from memorials in City Park to events at community centres - you are always showing the District at its best.

“As councillors we know our own wards very well, but as Lord Mayor you get to know the entire district.

“Before this year I didn’t know much about you, but I know know about your work in the textile industry, i know how proud you are of your work in the district, and I know that you have got a very dry sense of humour.

“Over the year your smile has grown. As a civic leader you have shown real leadership this year.”