I wrote a reply last evening and sent it, but it appears to have become lost in the ether!
I was at the local market yesterday,buying my Christmas vegetables. As a result of this thread, I asked the stallholder if he had any chestnuts. I bought a pack.
It weighed 500g and cost £2!!! Worse still, they came from China!
I shall attempt to roast them the old way, over a heavy duty gas camping stove I had assigned to the garage. I thought I might add a few herbs to the flame - any suggestions welcome!