Thanks for this Eric, I’ve put your function
[my-set-coding-system-to-utf8] into my "init.org" and also my mono
menu. Unfortunately I had just converted my last two problem pages
into utf8, but I'm now ready for its next bout.

Thanks again
Sharon.
-- 
A taste of linux = http://www.sharons.org.uk
my git repo = https://bitbucket.org/boudiccas/dots
TGmeds = http://www.tgmeds.org.uk
Debian testing, fluxbox 1.3.5, emacs 24.4.1.0