Minutes:
The Mayor made the following acceptance speech:
“Can I start by saying Good Evening and welcoming you all. What a splendid gathering as we start a new council year.
I really must start with a confession and an apology. So many of you have accepted the invitation to be here tonight, that for many of you there is standing room only, and you may be a bit cramped. We tried the O2 Arena, and then Wembley – and even flirted with the idea of the Royal Albert Hall – but they were all fully booked – so here we are in Enfield Council Chamber. I hope you won’t have too much discomfort as I say a few words. I promise not to take too long.
Firstly I want to thank both, Council Leader, Doug Taylor and Opposition Leader, Terry Neville for their kind words welcoming me as Enfield’s Mayor.
I have placed some Turkish Delight ‘bon-bons’ for all my fellow councillors on their seats as a thank you for their support. This puts me in mind of a saying in Turkey about this famous sweet. It goes like this “eat sweet – talk sweet”. Let this be a motto for the discussions and debates that we shall have in this chamber over the coming year. Considered ideas, calm, clear speeches – everything sweet – even when there are disagreements.
For me, it is a great honour to be the Mayor of Enfield and I am truly thrilled and interested to perform this role with passion, and energy.
I have lived in Enfield 26 years coming here as a student to study English and later graduating with a Masters’ degree in International Business.
For three years I worked for Freeman’s Catalogue as a quality control manager. I then moved on to work for Ucon Megastores as purchasing manager and I am delighted that my boss there Mr Aziz Akpinar is here tonight. All these experiences helped me to develop my own business and I have made my life here with my family. We enjoy living in the borough and take full advantage of all that it has to offer.
Apart from my business interests, I take a keen interest in the community. I was a founder member of the England supporters of Turkey’s Fenerbache Football Club Association and have a wealth of experience as chair of that group that I will bring to the role of Mayor.
I am also looking forward to meeting people of all ages and cultures, giving my support to their work and activities.
During the year it will be my privilege to raise funds for a variety of groups that can develop opportunities for both young and older people and particularly children with learning disabilities. I will be considering how we can support them – perhaps with equipment or materials for their projects or performances.
In the initial period of the year, I intend to meet as many people as possible and have decided to devote all my time to this position. I will be a full-time Mayor, prepared to take part in celebrations, applaud performances, congratulate achievements, and I want to be a good ambassador for Enfield representing the borough as often as possible.
I must thank all my supporters and the special guests who have travelled from many parts of London to celebrate with me. We have guests from the Turkish Consulate, Mr and Mrs Yorulmazlar, representatives from the Turkish Embassy Mr Fatih Ulusoy, and from ‘Cyprus in England’, Mrs and Mr Tuncali (who will join us later for the reception).
From London wide groups there are representatives (seven of them based in Enfield Borough). These associations and community centres are as follows.
- Turkish British Chambers of Commerce
- Alevi Cultural Centre
- Kurdish Community Centre
- Turkish Forum
- El-Com
- Bozca-Der community centre
- London Merit Association
- Paz-der Community centre
- Kirkisraklilar Community centre
- Kocgiri Cultural Centre
- Dersim Community Centre
- Haringey Green Lanes Business Traders Association
- Hundred flowers of cultural centre
I also want to welcome the press and thank them for supporting tonight’s ceremony.
My 18 year old son, Berdan, is going to be my consort and I must thank him for agreeing to support me. I know that he will, like me, learn a great deal and provide encouragement for me as mayor – and I am sure that he will probably be my sternest critic.
Enfield is a borough with a great future and that is down to the wonderful people who live here.
It will be my pleasure and duty to see that their efforts, courage, volunteering and generous spirits are well rewarded and celebrated.
Thank you very much.”