UPDATE:
I just finished a marathon phone call with the lady from Cat 1977, London. Well and truly grilled, I was....
I think she likes me, and has promised to call me again, however she hasn't got anything for me to do right now.
She only has one litter, several year olds from last year - just about ready for rehoming - and a pregnant domestic that's purring it's head off.
She did suggest I take a litter and tame them.... when she has one.
I suppose this is a good sign that ferals in large numbers and rarer than they were 20 years ago. Or maybe it's a bad sign because less are surviving? All I know is 20 years ago when I was in London, authorities where actually gassing feral cats and that doesn't seem to happen now, thank goodness!
I also learned that in London, the RSPCA will usually refer any reported feral cases to CPL, Celia Hammond, or them (Cat77). And for your pub trivia file, farmers can deduct the cost of catfood from TAX as it's classed as pest control costs.
So.... not hopeless, then.
Jxx