Michel Dubras

The Members of the Jersey Eisteddfod are saddened to learn of the death of one of its Vice Presidents, Michel Dubras.

Michel was a member of a well-known local family who, after the retirement of his father, ran, until 1989, the perfumery side of Charles Dubras Limited known as La Grande Parfumerie whose shop at 57 King Street many in the amateur theatrical world, and competitors of the English Speech and Drama and Dance Sections, will remember.

Michel was a stalwart of the Jersey Eisteddfod for well over half a century and was much touched when, after his decision not to seek reelection as a Vice Chairman and as an acknowledgement of the high regard in which his many years of service were held, he was made a Vice President of the Association. The Eisteddfod was something for whose benefit he worked tirelessly. It was of very great importance to him and always close to his heart and, over the years, he was involved in many aspects of its existence.

Just to pick out a few aspects of his involvement, between 1971 and 1982, he was the Chairman of the Publicity Committee and, later, the eagle-eyed Chairman of Trophies. In 1984, he introduced Floral Art as one of the Sections of the Festival of the Creative Arts of which Section, with the exception of 1987, he was the Chairman from then until 1993.

He used his manual skills to construct large storage boxes to house the increasing number of trophies that were presented to the Association, display boards for the Spring Festival, the smaller displays used by the Sections of the Autumn Festival to indicate which competitor was performing, as well as many other items that were of benefit to the various Sections.

Michel will be remembered for his long years of service and his devotion to the Jersey Eisteddfod.

RMCB