You have come to the right place for badges Peter! With regard to "Coming back to the hobby after such a long break two things strike me; firstly prices have got *really* expensive and secondly there seem to be a large number of fakes and repros out there", indeed this is unfortunately the case.
I like to think I am passably conversant when it comes to British badges
, but whenever I do come across a badge that I am not sure of, I research it here first.
Best of luck,
CB