Samuel L Boogie said:

So, I am probably getting a little ahead of my self here (a couple of months ahead  ) but can anyone help with my understanding of the fingering charts? Are they all scales? I am guessing G to E major across the top and what across the bottom?

Hey Samuel, first off, welcome to fiddlerman.com
The charts are showing the position of your fingers in relation to each and every key. When you play scales or read any type of music you need to first check the key signature. Basically you use those patterns throughout the whole piece unless there are accidentals (extra sharps or flats) written in. A great way of learning the chart is to choose one key at a time and practice scales slowly while listening carefully to the intonation. Try to memorize the feeling of your fingers coming down in the RIGHT place. Some people use tape guides in the beginning. The tape is not necessary IMO.

Secondly I have absolutely no prior musical ability/training, is there anything I can be doing in what little (baby)free time I have over the next couple of months to help give me a head start? I'm thinking maybe make a start learning to read music?

Check out my learning tools section. I tried to design the tools so that players could learn to read music even without a violin in their hand. two tools in particular for learning to read music would be, the Violin Fingering Game and the Rhythm Counting Game. The Intonation Game helps you recognize intonation differences between notes to better correct them when practicing.

Finally I am most interesting in learning to fiddle, as in folk music rather than classical, should this affect my approach in any way?

Most great fiddle players are classically trained and the technique is the same either way. Your approach should be to learn technique as well as you can and listen to as much "fiddle" music as possible. Another suggestion is to hang out on the forum, read the questions and answers and ask your own as well.

Many thanks.

Good luck with your upcoming violin purchase and pursuit to learn.

Samuel L Boogie said:

....by memorizing the position on sheet music of the middle note on each string (B/F/C/G) and working up or down ......

In that case make sure you know that the same finger position would be Bb and not B natural.    IOW - (Bb/F/C/G)

You said in one of your videos to avoid playing an open string note unless your wish to emphasise it, so I am assuming that where the strings overlap at D,A and E you would usually play the high end of the lower string rather than move straight to open next string?

Exactly. I prefer that you don't avoid using the 4th finger to strengthen that finger since it is the weakest anyway. You can always use the open strings when convenient and practical but when playing scales and exercises, and if it is not a question of whether or not you need cross strings, use the 4th. Don't get me wrong, open strings are used constantly and should be.

With regards to the counting game I struggle when I come to notes which last less than one beat, trying to keep the steady 4/4 count and regulate the faster notes(presses) do you have any suggestions there?

Drum or tap even 8th notes gently on your desk, table, leg, at home or work while beating a steady beat with your foot. Then 16th notes.... triplets. Practice like your trying to become a drummer.

Also does anyone have any recommendations of sensible learner violins to look at? After a very brief bit of investigation I am looking at about £180 for violin,bow,upgraded strings and case. I know that certainly isn't the cheapest option available but after making the investment of both time and money I have no intention of quitting, so want to get something that will see me right for quite a few years/levels of learning.

My only suggestion is that you visit quite a few violin shops before making a decision. Try to play them yourself even if you can't do that much just to hear the tone under your ear. Hopefully someone can play for you as well to hear the quality away from the instrument as well.

You must have been tired. I gave up on understanding that every good boy does food.

Deserves makes good sense. LOL