phpbb3 successfully installed!
The ftp supplied with the hosting package was pretty crap so I used filezilla instead, but even that took a good hour or so....not sure if thats down to the size of the install (in which case its much bigger than phpbb2) or my connection....but anyway it is done 
The admin panel is different to what I am used to, and I realise that is because I am used to free forum providers who have coded the admin panel to be a lot more user friendly, so it seems I have to relearn phpbb3, but its a learning curve I am looking forward to following. Sad geek girl that I am. Or so my other half says anyway lol
Next steps....
Replicate original forum in structure and style
Install mods that are already on original forum and add some extras
This is where the fun starts then! I now appreciate the work that free forum providers put in, but curse them for not allowing me to purchase the database!!!