Catherine Flinn - Rebuilding Britain’s Blitzed Cities: Hopeful Dreams, Stark Realities

I owe enormous debts of gratitude to many people. First, to my primary supervisor Glen OHara, who has always given endlessly of his time and advice, his expertise, his library and more massive thanks. And to my second supervisor Steve Ward, who also gave more time than I suspect he realizes, is a vast source of knowledge on the ins and outs of British planning and is kind and generous and told me all sorts of interesting facts I never could have uncovered in an archive. Next, to an amazing colleague: Peter Larkham is an absolute superstar. He has always opened his files and shared his knowledge, providing as much help as if I was his own student! Peter is a great example of why I love my field: so many are both collegial and kind. Likewise, thanks to Mark Clapson for heroic assistance with this and much else. Next, a big thank you hug to George Gosling-Page for reading, suggestions, advice and general moral support. Also grateful thanks to Thomas, Julie and Matt for help, advice and support. Special thanks to Martin Daunton and John R. Gold, who have been generous with time and helpful in a myriad of ways and are both lovely people to boot.

Research-wise Ed Hampshire (formerly at the National Archives) was terrific in helping me navigate the vagaries of the British civil service, pointing me down the archival paths at Kew to help me find what I needed most. Also at TNA, Julie Ash and Dave Lilley have been wonderful to me. At the Bodleian Library, many people put up with several years of questions, always with a kind answer: thanks to Jim, Nick, Paul and Lee and now departed Mikko, Simon and Anne. The staffs of many archives were terrific, in particular: Darren at the Labour Party Archive, Jeremy at the Conservative Party Archive, Carol at the Hull History Centre, David Cornforth in Exeter, Michaela at the University of Liverpool archives and Laura formerly at Newcastles Sharp archive. Thanks also to the colleagues of those above as well as the Liverpool Record Office, West Country Studies Library and Devon Record Office.

The wonderful Gladstones Library provided a scholarship to help finish the book and I am especially grateful to them. Thanks also to the Economic History Society and Oxford Brookes University for financial support of my research. Thanks for permission to quote or reproduce material go to the Town & Country Planning Association, Liverpool City Council Planning Department and Exeter Memories; and for material reproduced from Harold Macmillans archive with the kind permission of the Trustees of the HM Book Trust. The publication of the many illustrations has been made possible by a grant from the Scouloudi Foundation in association with the Institute of Historical Research. Thanks also to all the people at Bloomsbury who have helped along the way.

Finally there are those who are very close to my heart and without whom I never would have attempted this work, much less completed it. I might never have started without the encouragement of Professors Geoff Smith and Roberta Hamilton, who believed in my ability, and contributed both directly and indirectly to this book. Further support from the family side includes Veronica Permuy, Pam Dunfield and Ralph Wood, and I am grateful for their love and encouragement. Here in the United Kingdom, thanks also to Alan and Alice who have treated me like family and helped keep me sane.

But of course my biggest debt is to my family: my parents, my brother and my husband. From proofreading to transcription, from photography to patience, you have all been supportive in so many ways. Thank you to Mom and Dad who instilled in me the desire for learning, passed on a sense of humour and above all supported me with more than just their love. Likewise, in the latter stages of this work, my husband Mark I love you to infinity and beyond!

They will understand though that I dedicate this book to Dr. Harman Van Peeke Cousin Van who encouraged me, inspired me and set a fantastic example in determination. Sadly he will not see the final product. Thank you, Van, for believing in me!