‘I made sure something was done when nobody else was willing’
A FORMER States member and all-rounder in the community has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list.
Roy Bisson, the current president of La Societe Guernesiaise, has spent the last 60 years moving through various roles and positions that focus on giving back to Guernsey.
He said he was honoured to receive the award and understood it reflected the appreciation of a number of islanders. He said that he had been fortunate in leading a creative life with his two sons, their wives and his grandchildren.
‘In reality this cannot be just for me but must include all who have volunteered to assist me in the many projects I have enjoyed undertaking, plus, of course, all those I have bludgeoned into helping too,’ said Mr Bisson.
Between organising the Round Table Christmas Fayre for 20 years and spending the past 40 years on the Guernsey Swimarathon organising committee, he also served as a energetic States deputy for seven years from 1997-2004.
‘There can be no doubt that being a member of the States influenced and assisted in many of the projects in which I was involved, particularly with consumer issues,’ he said, referring to his time founding the Guernsey Consumer Group and as chairman of the National Consumer Federation.
At the time, Mr Bisson said his greatest achievement working as a deputy was drawing the States into recognising the importance of consensus, and his work on the Island Development Committee on the Urban and Rural Areas Plans and planning for Leale’s Yard. He also spent four years as a non-States member of the Environment Committee.
Mr Bisson said that communications was where his various jobs had been focused.
‘My life has been centred around my marketing and communications experience, which I applied to different projects. I have been indeed fortunate to have enjoyed so many varied projects and learned from so many knowledgeable people.’
He also acted as an adviser to the Young Enterprise Scheme between 1990 and 2000, and more recently as chairman of the Workers’ Education Association, introducing new courses, including a class for prospective election candidates for the States.
‘My involvement in the different roles and projects resulted from my wish to make a difference and to make sure something was done when nobody else was willing. Guernsey is full of willing volunteers, often working in several roles at the same time, we should be grateful for their efforts,’ he said.
To celebrate the writer’s 15-year exile in the island, Mr Bisson co-founded the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society, which stages conferences and seminars and produces material for schools.
Global warming was key in his interest in taking up his current role on La Societe, to which he was elected earlier this year.
‘Guernsey, and in fact the whole world, is at a critical environmental point, and I was honoured to have the opportunity to help lead La Societe’s many expert members forward in their campaigns to understand our environment and to cut global warming,’ he said.
