The current mayor of High Wycombe will hang up his ceremonial chain and robes on Saturday morning after a year working side-by-side with the community.

Labour councillor Mohammed Hanif was appointed to the role last May and has overseen a number of activities in a bid to promote his annual theme of ‘One community’.

From public engagements like the tour of High Wycombe’s twin town, Kelkheim in Germany, to engaging with schools and welcoming young pupils to experience life as the mayor for a day, he has been kept busy over the last 12 months.

Here he writes to Bucks Free Press readers:

I was appointed as Mayor of High Wycombe in May last year and it was a great honour for me.

I was aware that British society thrives on fairness, tolerance and inclusiveness and that allows everyone to play their part to the best of their ability.

That gave me the idea of promoting ‘One Community’ as the main theme for my Mayoral year. I engaged with schools to nominate children who can be mayor for a day.

This has worked brilliantly and as a result young members of our community are better aware about the heritage, history, traditions and culture of High Wycombe.

I have discovered from public engagements that people in our town are very tolerant and respect the diverse nature of our community.

I was very impressed by the charities and the voluntary sector who are unsung heroes and make things happen without seeking rewards or recognitions.

I organised two sessions of twenty voluntary organisation in the parlour to thank them for their work and allow then opportunity to interact with one another.

This was very successful and was appreciated by the participating organisations. I worked very closely with Wycombe Lions, The Round Table and Wycombe Rotary Club.

I enjoyed the tour of the Wycombe’s twinned town, Kelkheim in Germany. We renewed the 30 years charter of friendship and I was privileged to do that in my year.

I had very close working relationship with the RAF group Captain Phil Lester and as a result held few ice breaker sessions with the local Muslim community.

I was very proud to be part of an Inter-faith event at BNU where we had lord lieutenant of Bucks, High Sheriff, Bishop of Buckingham and many other dignitaries to support the event.

I had a fabulous year and will look back at my Mayoral year with pride and honour.

I want to thank the people of High Wycombe for their support. A close friend of mine said recently that with your likes on Facebook to 1,100, you are doing something right.

It was great to raise funds for my two charities, Rennie Grove Hospice and One Can Hope.

My thanks to Town Clerk, Mayors Secretary and members of the Appeal Committee for guidance and support during my mayoral year.

Special thanks to Awaaz, Rk, Wycombe Sound and Bucks Free Press for the support and coverage during important engagements.