Roger John Burton

Older Members of the Jersey Eisteddfod will have been saddened to learn of the death of Roger Burton. In the 1970s and 1980s, the fortunes of the Eisteddfod were not particularly bright with falling entries and smaller audiences. This sorry state was turned round by the likes of the then Chairman of the Executive Council, Henry Coutanche, the late Donald Geary and Anthony Le Sueur.

As reported by Sue Lissenden in her excellent history of the Eisteddfod, “Showcase”, it was the latter two who helped transformed the situation “by the appointment of a paid coordinator in the guise of an Eisteddfod Administrator. Donald found a candidate and Tony found the framework in which he could work and the arguments to support the introduction of such an innovation. Enter Roger Burton in 1993. He was hugely enthusiastic and willing to learn, proud to be involved. Straight away he acted as liaison and contact; in time he was to do more.”

Roger went on to sit on the Finance and Publicity Subcommittees and was an important member of the team that did the spadework that gave rise to the current healthy state of the Eisteddfod.

Roger retired in 2002 and the Members of the Eisteddfod offer their condolences and gratitude for the life of Roger to his family.

RMCB