Transition Marlborough has suffered the shock resignation of Shirley Pryor, the group’s recycling champion, who took over only last September as chair of the radical organisation for its third year of operation.
Before the last annual meeting Shirley, a 58-year-old former nurse and occupational health visitor, admitted she was surprised by her nomination to succeed Dr Sam Page, the group’s original chair.
But she declared: “If elected I will give it my all. I appreciate the support that other members have promised. I am not afraid to challenge when necessary.”
But in a statement to Marlborough News Online today (Wednesday), Shirley announced: “I am writing to let you know that I have resigned as chair of Transition Marlborough. I made the decision in mid-December and formally stood down at our Hub meeting last Thursday.
“I would have let people know much sooner, but Dr Sam Page and Richard Pitts (a former Marlborough town councillor) asked me to wait until after then.
“As you know, I was reluctant to take on the role and worked hard to learn the ropes and build bridges, particularly with town council.”
Then she added: “My decision has shocked a few people, but I felt unable to continue for a number of reasons, all related to TM. After my announcement at the meeting, Hub members discussed the way forward with an energy and cooperation that I had never seen before.
“A new chair will be elected in due course. Until then, Sam Page and Rich Pitts will be sharing the role. They have asked that any correspondence to TM is sent via chair@transitionmarlborough.org.”
Mr Pitts told Marlborough News Online: “I thought Shirley was doing a fantastic job and was setting us on the course we need to take in the months ahead, especially on energy issues.
“But I feel that she became overwhelmed in the amount of work expected of her in an organisation that is basically run by volunteers. I am most disappointed that she felt she has had to resign.”
And he added: “I would like to thank Shirley for her work as chair and being brave enough to press the reboot button. We will depend on her to continue to challenge the Hub and for her continued contributions.
“I now think it was absolutely the right thing to do… it has allowed us to refocus around projects. The Hub decided the energy crisis that faces our community should be the first of these project areas.
“We are expecting to announce shortly a community discussion meeting over energy as a whole and for us to provide practical advice and campaign to make energy as sustainable as possible for our community area.”
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