The Blair Family

Blair Family in residence at 42 West Street circa 1973-1995

By Professor Thomas L Blair

Thomas Blair at Oxford Student Union
Prof Blair and Hertford Civic Society Awards

Thomas L Blair – sociologist, town planner and community supporter

Prof Blair, who lived at No.42 West Street, Hertford with his wife Myrtle and daughters Lucille, Katharine, Gage and Ellen from 1973 to 1995, is best known locally in his community support role. He and Myrtle were founding members of the West Street Residents Association that sprung into action to question destructive traffic management and road schemes.

He was also a senior member of the Hertford Civic Society. He served as nominations officer for the townspeople’s and Society Awards started in 1973 to recognize “those who serve us all by improving our town”. Winners included the Fine Fare, Maidenhead Street in the Commercial Class 1975, No. 60 St Andrews Street in the Residential Class 1975, and The Maltings, West Street, winner of the residential award 1976.

These community activities added a social emphasis to Prof Blair’s public service lectures and academic work. Oxford students invited him to speak to the University Student Union on social justice and minorities in 2001.

He introduced new and controversial social and environmental planning courses and training workshop during his 1970s-1980s tenure at the Polytechnic of Central London (now the University of Westminster).  Many of his students from Hertfordshire recall his spirited message “to do more than just get the drains rights” – their task was to put the people into the planning of urban renewal and new town developments.

This page was added on 21/03/2011.

Add your comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!