Well, my christmas present off my brother was in two parts, so I thought I should share them really..
firstly he arranged for my timing belt to be replaced, the motor seems to be running a lot better since then so it's heartily recomended :) I'll try to aquire the name of the garage when I'm next in communication. However, since my bottom pulley and tensioner were close to falling off and having their bearings seized I shall once again utter the mud-club mantra "we're not going to bramcote again" :D
The second part of the present was ...
I got the front end of the motor rewired by Simtec (who make wiring looms for the Bowler amongst other things) principly this was to add a switch to turn the aircon fans on (so I don't have to bother with the viscous) and to add a better loom to the headlights / spotlights (one with relays in)
Now, given the reason for doing so was so that I could fit uprated lamps to the motor, I'm not sure it's worth bothering... It would seem that replacing the damp spagetti with actual wire has a significant impact on the light output.. am suitably impressed and can actually see where I'm driving now :)