ah, it turns out I thought it might be useful for family history research, and it might be but I'd actually have to go to a City library to access Ancestry or Findmypast. However, I can now access the Times archive from home, up till 20 years ago, so that may be useful for genealogy, should any of my family ever have got into The Times, which I doubt.
Anyway, I finished my family history compilation yesterday after several proof copies and tweaks and updates; and I've uploaded it and ordered 20 copies, which I will send to interested rellies. 68 pages of A4, soft-cover, and about two years' work. Will make a nice wedding present for jno jnr.