Trev, lived in Manchester most of my life and you are right I wouldn't like to go back to city living.
We have a log burner and have had to cook on it when the power has been off all day.
Bean the bandsaw is IMHO more "hand tool like" than any other power tool. Reasonably quiet and versatile.
If you are relatively new to the bandsaw I can highly recommend Mark Duginske's "Mastering your bandsaw" video, really excellent.
That is a thought :idea: , these videos are expensive, why not form a club where each member buys a video and then they get sent round amongst the members?