Birmingham to Berlin

This Dawes frame is feeling really comfortable at the moment, so I think the sizes must be fairly good, the drops I put on probably could to with being raised a bit like you mentioned dan, and the brake levers aren't holding to the bars when I tighten them? (any idea) I think I would like some new brakes, a new rear wheel, some fresh tyres, a new rack, and a new saddle please. (my bum hurts)

cheers for all the advice Dan

The brake levers are pretty poor quality. I'd get some more modern, compact drops with flat tops which transition into the hoods better than the old-school things you've got and get new levers to go with them. For all those things, you're looking at £100-£300 depending how lavish you want to be.