Thank you Guys,
John, not sure how to do what you are suggesting. My "old" hoster is now not my current one - transfer worked quicker than we expected. Can I still connect e.g. thunderbird, to the old place? I can't seem to make this work....
UPDATE: have managed to do this using the IP address for the server, downloaded all mail and folders successfully! All I have to do now is load them onto new site.
Hooray, & thank you,
Thanks.............. liz