Blue Plaques to Honour Notable Figures

A passionate antiquarian, a pioneering scientist and two innovative engineer brothers are among those being honoured with commemorative Blue Plaques in South Tyneside this year.

The Borough's Blue Plaque scheme recognises individuals and structures for their importance to local history and heritage. Up to three plaques are agreed and installed annually - one funded by the Council and the other two privately funded.

The new tributes agreed for 2025 recognise Robert Blair, Professor Paul Younger and brothers Joseph and Robert MacGregor.

Councillor Judith Taylor, Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "We have a rich and proud heritage in South Tyneside. Through these special Blue Plaques, we honour significant people and places that have added cultural or civic value to South Tyneside or have played a key role in helping to shape our Borough's history and heritage to what it is today.

"We are delighted to celebrate the life and work of these individuals through the raising of three new Blue Plaques and paying tribute to the incredible legacies they left behind."

It is through the dedication and efforts of South Shields-born antiquarian Robert Blair that the town's Roman Fort was excavated before housing development got underway in the area. Blair's work was instrumental in unveiling artefacts of significant importance and in establishing the country's first public archaeological park - the People's Roman Park, later to become Arbeia.

Born in 1845 into a family of proud pilots, Blair's interest was sparked in childhood when he was given a Roman coin found by his uncle at the Lawe Top. At 29, Blair was elected a member of the society of Antiquarians of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, later becoming secretary and editor of its journal, for which he received a medal for 40 years tireless service.

Blair would travel the length and breadth of the North East to visit and record ancient artefacts or buildings. He had learned to draw and used this skill precisely to record and note what he saw. His drawings were compiled on his death in 1923 and reside in Woodhorn and Durham University archives. The Word in South Shields holds the volume of Blair's work relating to the Roman Fort excavation.

The Council-funded plaque is being awarded to Hebburn-born hydrogeologist and environmental engineer Professor Paul Younger who is recognised around the world for his work on mine water pollution and renewable energy. He played a key role in the bid to make Newcastle a City of Science and Technology and led the research team that won Newcastle University its first Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education in 2005.

Hebburn's new energy centre, officially opened last October, is named after him. The centre uses innovative air source heat pumps, solar panels and a combined heat and power unit to provide renewable energy to nearby buildings and represents the kind of sustainable solutions Younger worked his entire life to develop.

During the 1920s, the Jarrow-born MacGregor brothers Joseph and Robert invented and developed the first steel hatch cover, which enhanced safety at sea and revolutionised cargo-handling. To promote and sell the revolutionary new hatch covers, the brothers formed MacGregor and Company.

Through the years, MacGregor has grown through acquisition and now encompasses well-known marine brands such as Hagglunds, TTS, Hydramarine, Plimsoll, Pusnes, Allset and Hatlapa. Today MacGregor continues to lead and shape the marine and offshore industries through the development, supply and support of world-leading cargo and load handling products, services and solutions.

The brothers both served apprenticeships as draughtsmen at Palmers Jarrow Shipyard. They studied Naval Architecture at Jarrow Mechanics Institute in Ellison Street, which provided technical education for the Palmers workforce. The brothers went on to become naval architects, which was a major achievement from their humble working-class background.

Robert demonstrated his talent very early as the only student in the UK to be awarded The Queens' prize in Naval Architecture from the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights of London in 1893. He became fluent in French and developed his craft working in shipyards in France and Belgium before becoming the Managing Director of a shipyard in Southampton while developing his hatch-cover invention.

Under South Tyneside's Blue Plaque Scheme, members of the public are invited to put forward individuals and structures to be recognised for their importance to local history and heritage. Nominations are currently being sought for Blue Plaques to be established in 2026. The closing date for applications is August 2025.

Councillor Taylor said: "Our Blue Plaque scheme recognises significant contributions to the Borough's culture and heritage. It attracts many nominations every year reflecting the wonderful passion and civic pride that our residents have for South Tyneside."

Blue Plaques were recently unveiled to trailblazing archaeologist Dame Rosemary Cramp and Flight Lieutenant Dominic Bruce.

For further information about South Tyneside's Blue Plaque scheme, including how to make a nomination, visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/blueplaques