Tom Parker Resigns
Tom Parker, our chairman since 2016, resigned at the end of May. Every member of the management committee is sad to see Tom leave us. He has been a key member of the team since its foundation, which started in 2013 following demonstrations against oil exploration at Lower Stumble.
The impetus was the desire to show there was a better way to improve the UK’s energy security, than to explore for yet more oil, the burning of which is recognised as the prime driver behind climate change. His experience of renewable energy pre-dates Repower Balcombe and included the first installation of solar panels at Turners Hill primary school, where he was a school governor. With eight sites now installed and managed by us, Tom leaves behind a Co-operative with a financially secure future, now paying a return of around 5% to its shareholders, whilst providing our site hosts with cheaper electricity. Our proposed solar farm at Chiddinglye Farm eluded us following government policy changes, but the site owners continue to provide us with the majority of our Community Fund.
The fund has to-date delivered cover £80,000 to local energy reduction and green living causes, with a large proportion helping Balcombe School, St. Mary’s Church, Bramble Hall, Balcombe Club, The Victory Hall (check out their new ceiling lights), the Parish Rooms and the Parish Council’s LED Street Light conversion programme. I know Tom is particularly proud of our grants to several local food banks, helping them to buy energy efficient refrigeration equipment.
The hard work of Tom for Repower Balcombe has received media attention, including interviews with Channel 4 News, BBC Southeast and Times Newspaper.
Also, Tom inspired the idea of using solar energy to help power the railways leading to the foundation of the Riding Sunbeams project of which Balcombe was a potential site. A pilot project undertaken by Network Rail and Riding Sunbeams exists at Aldershot railway station.
Tom moved from Turners Hill to Storrington a few years back (apparently rooftop solar systems are more efficient the further South one travels 😋) where he has found new interests, including at Knepp re-wilding and Storrington Conservation Society.
My favourite tongue-in-cheek quote from Tom refers to the Co-op as being ‘the only successful energy company in Balcombe’, a legacy I know Tom is rightfully proud.
Longstanding director of Repower Balcombe, Julian Wilkins says: “Tom’s commitment, energy and devotion to Repower Balcombe is deeply appreciated and respected. We all owe him an immense debt of gratitude.”
Our Team is now engaged in reorganising the Co-op, including absorbing Tom’s huge workload to their existing responsibilities, aiming to share out the workload amongst us. We have suspended temporarily our Community Fund whilst we undergo this transition, for our primary responsibility must be for the management of our solar sites. Please look out for further announcements during the forthcoming months. We look forward to seeing you all on the 12th of July at the Balcombe Fete.