Going to confess here that when I first started sewing (not that long ago), I bought a huge pack of "budget" needles, with every size you can imagine in it, from tiny up to some that you could use to harpoon a whale.
Cost about a quid or so for the whole lot, from Lidl or Netto, or somewhere.
Not knowing any better, I'd managed with them ever since.
But then, after reading this thread, I did wonder about trying some quality.
So, following the recommendations here, sent for a small spectrum of "sharps" from John James.
Needles by
Mick, on Flickr
For something that's basically just a sharpened bit of metal, the difference is really quite surprising.
Still trying to work out which size is actually best for which job, but can honestly say that hand sewing is now a pleasure instead of a chore.
So thank you ladies for the good advice.