Went with my lovely daughter to the Ideal Homes Show today where I learned, during a cooking demo, the error of my ways. When making mashed tatties do not boil potatoes to the nth degree. Boil them only as much as you would if you were making roast potatoes and then let them steam in a tea towel covered colander over the pan for a few minutes when they will make, I am assured, a very manageable, fluffy mash which you can work to your preferred texture with the addition of milk, cream, butter, as you like.
Unfortunately mash is not on the menu in the mak'Bread household this evening so I will have to wait until another day to try this one out but I got it from Graeme, the sous chef at the restaurant in a top hotel, so it must be right :)