Guest blog: Tribute to Mike Vibert at the BBC

Former Jersey politician Mike Vibert, 60, died after suffering a heart attack on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Vibert was the island's education, sport and culture minister from 2005 until 2008.

He was first elected to the States as Deputy of St Brelade number two district in 1996 and became a Senator in 2002.

He had been a teacher in London and Jersey before becoming a journalist and helping set up BBC Radio Jersey.

Geraldine des Forges worked for Mike Vibert while she was a presenter at BBC Radio Jersey. She presented between 1982 and 2000.

Here she shares her memories of Mr Vibert and working with him at the BBC.

"Mike Vibert was a founder member of BBC Radio Jersey when it opened at Broadcasting House, Somerland in Rouge Bouillon in March 1982.

"Formerly a school teacher, then a journalist at the Jersey Evening Post, 'Vibes' as he was affectionately known, will be remembered with great affection by those of us who worked at Radio Jersey in the early years.

"In those days, there were no radio cars and he would have had to get to any town-based interviews by riding the 'station bicycle' - he always wore bicycle clips around his trousers. One of the first major stories' that he had to cover was the explosion at the Gas Company in Tunnell Street.

"For many years, Mike was relentlessly teased by the station staff about a photograph of him interviewing a glamorous, and rather well endowed, model who came to Jersey to promote the launch of the station. As always, he took it in good part.

"Mike's teaching experience held him in good stead as a journalist. He was a stickler for good grammar in the news items and would religiously check the list of daily events to make sure that they were 'properly written' before being read 'on air', in those days by the Receptionist. He was also a stickler about the correct pronunciation of Jersey names.

"Vibes was very hardworking, totally honest and very fair in everything he did. He had a great sense of humour and was well liked and respected by all the staff who worked with him. Everyone was very sorry when he left Radio Jersey. However, he carried forward those same good qualities when he became a States Member.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."