Just an update.
Have now completed just over 100 miles since the radiator was repaired & modified. I have this happy medium now where the temp needle sits at 11.30 min to 11.55 max.
11.30 is constant when the car is in motion at any speed. This includes driving slowly through town with frequent stops or 80-85 with the cruise control set on the motorway. The cooling fan is only really activated in town or after a long-ish run after coming to a stand still.
With the summer weather the UK has had over the past five days it has been a real pleasure to watch the car behave just like a standard item.
The size of the blanking plate I had welded to the radiator is spot on. The cooling fan is inoperative for 90% of the time
Petrol.... I'm using Tesco 99 octane all the time now. The engine just runs so much better on it than any other brand. I'm also getting really good mpg which is a real surprise!