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Celtic bard From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bert Biscoe DL (born 1952), also known by the bardic name Viajor Gans Geryow,[1][2] is a Cornish politician, historian and bard of the Cornish Gorseth.[3] Biscoe represented Cornwall Council's Truro Boscawen District as an independent Cornwall Councillor until 2019, serving as an independent Truro City Council Councillor for the new Boscawen & Redannick Ward.[4]
Bert Biscoe is known for his work as a local historian[5] and for his activism related to the Cornish identity debate.[6] In 2012, his book of poems called "Trurra" won a Waterstones Publishers Award at the Holyer An Gof literary competition.[7] Elected Mayor of Truro for 2019/21, his installation ceremony was streamed online.[8]
Born in 1952 to Dr Charles Biscoe, a kinsman of the Tyndale-Biscoe family,[9] he was raised at Stithians, Cornwall, and attended Truro School before going up to Bangor University.[10]
Married to Susan Barker in 1990, the couple live near Truro, Cornwall.[11]
Bert Biscoe is a traditional musician and poet,[12] specialising in Cornish folk music, some in the Cornish language.[13] Some of his audio works have been collected into a compilation titled "An Kynsa".
Created a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh in 1995 "for services to Cornwall" with the bardic name Viajor Gans Geryow,[14] Biscoe has been a member of the Council of the Gorsedh since 2009.[15] He is the author of several books of poetry.[16] As a Bard of the Gorsedh he is regularly in attendance at celebrations of Cornish culture and important cultural occasions.[17][18][19]
His poetry centres on the 'Spirit of Kernow', which he has performed with other bards in Cornwall.[20]
Biscoe was also an independent County Councillor on Cornwall Council for Truro Boscawen District until he lost his seat in the May 2021 elections.[21][22][23] He remains a City Councillor for Truro City Council, representing the Moresk & Trehaverne Ward.[24]
Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for Transport responsible for the county's transport links, in 2017, Biscoe was succeeded by Councillor Geoff Brown.[25] During his time in office, he was involved in many projects including the A30 road improvements at Temple, Cornwall,[26] and one of the failed bus lane projects in Truro.[27]
Chairman of the Truro Civic Society,[28] Biscoe also serves as President of the Truro Old Cornwall Society.[29][30] Honorary Secretary and a Trustee on the board on the Royal Cornwall Museum,[31] he is the author of two books about the history of Cornwall.[32]
Relevant in the Cornish Identity debate,[33] with Dr James Whetter he popularised the campaign for increased powers for Cornish local government and the creation of a Cornish Assembly.[34] [35] He also served as chairman of the Cornish Constitutional Convention.[6]
Biscoe is the author of several books, mainly related to Cornwall and poetry:
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