My coins have appeared in my wallet today after I changed to a new server.
I had tried several different servers yesterday but none would synchronize, I guess I should've tried more.
The first one I tried this morning worked.
Anyway, problem solved, so thanks much to you all for your replies to this
If it's of interest, I notice that when I switch back to the original server I was using (14.3.38.179)
the coins disappear from my wallet again
I'm using v3.0.2
The number of blocks listed next to bockchain is indeed lower with the non-working server
and it says something about a chain split being detected
Thanks again, its been educational for me at least