Thanks for the replies!

As I completely failed to post the thoughts I'd come up with, I'll do so now.

When I posted, I was really thinking of gear, but as people have said, the skills are what's important to use the gear.

Useful skills I can think of:
First aid:
Mine's out of date (the last formal stuff I did was in the Girl Guides, which I left at 14, I've done bits and pieces since, but nothing comprehensive). So I've contacted the St.JOhns Ambulance and hope to update my skills.
HAM:
I've heard this can be quite expensive, not really an option at the mo..
Fitness:
Not really a skill, more of a general preparedness thing (especially in Sheffield, which is built on far too many hills <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)
Driving:
I'm hopefully starting lessons agaiin soon. Getting a driving license would be useful generally............

Any others I've missed?
Mini-me, thanks for the thoughts. Those Newick candles look interesting. Does anybody know of a UK supplier (internet or otherwise)?