Thanks gents.
Frederick I have lost track of how many basing methods I have used over the years. My latest and best one that you like is very simple indeed.
First glue your figures to the stand and let the glue dry.
Second buy some PVA white glue, the cheaper the better, and paint it over the top of the stand.
Fill a shallow dish with Rail Modellers ballast in the colour of your choosing. Place your stand in the dish and cover it with ballast. After a minute or so (but longer does no harm)take it out, turn it upside down and give it a couple of gentle taps with a finger. It gets the surplus off.
Next take your brush and dip it into the PVA add spots of glue at random to the surface of the base. Then swirl it gently about in a dish of suitable flock. Take it out and let it stand.
The PVA dries clear-job done.
Basing and rebasing are dull tasks this method is quick and gives a good result.