Have got a welder (gasless mig modified with auto feed) and would love to put it to good use on a defender.
Im actually in Stalybridge which is technically Cheshire so post code isn't too bad. I've recently got some much better quotes after I shopped around.

I was considering other 4x4s but I just love the look and build style of the defender. Its like Meccano! Any alternate 4x4 will slow down my ability to save for a decent defender so am currently thinking I'll just hold off and keep saving. Who knows I might come across a good bargain if I'm prepared to wait.

If your patient something will come up ,ive been looking for a while but there all miles away ,was on a course at carlisle yesterday and a cheap 110 came on ebay localy and it sold within hours any other day i could of gone and looked at it !

Have you considered a leafer? this would give you more choice, cheaper insurance and as much fun.

You sometimes get more than you pay for! Remember that LR are reportedly replacing the defender and that's making them collectable and driving prices up! Picks up can be had for less and you could turn the into a Station wagon or a hard top at a later stage depending on what you want but for 3 Kingdom you should have a look at a classic series 3 with a 200 tdi conversion or why not look for a good TD5 Discovery!

Converting into an SW is certainly something I'd consider - in fact it seems like that is the best way to go due to the prices. I'd definitely go for a late-ish Series too. My only main requirement is that whatever I buy hasn't been eaten away with rot on the Chassis or the Bulkhead, and has a mechanically sound power plant/transmission. Anything else I'd feel comfortable tackling at first.

Was looking at the price guide for all landy models/years in LRO magazine, and it does seem to point to prices being unusually inflated at the moment.

Such a shame they're discontinuing the defender in its current form - the replacement (if the google images are correct) looks more like a BMW mini 4x4. Its just not got the same appeal. I agree it will probably push up the prices of existing defenders, which is unfortunate for me

By the way - what is the general consensus on the V8 engine? Should it be avoided? I'd prefer 200/300tdi but if I found a V8 that was great in every other way, I would be tempted to go for it.