Well after a good scrub and swarf removal session, I'm happy to say we're back together again...

A good dreasing and oiling of mating surfaces/faces and the machine is as good as new or even better...I do recall the crosslide action has always been stiff but its a lot better now, I can turn the handwheel with one hand

Just as an aside, the new lead screw I made from Silver Steel, boy it was hard to cut

The new bearing support from a lump of steel I had, but I bushed it with some Phos Bronze reamed to take the lead screw. The shoulder on the lead screw just where is broke, I've added a PB thrust washer, instead of having steel on steel everywhere... Were my choices of materials good or bad?
Thanks to all who have contributed and a special mention to JS for his offer of making a new leadscrew...Shame I'd already ordered taps and dies before seeing his comments...Never mind, I have lh M8 taps and dies for the future should I need them..