Double-click your template file to start a new message based on it.

Hello Zenos

I can't see anything to click on and I don't even know where templates are saved. I've tried the help section too but none of my searches bring up such basic stuff. I even tried activating (dragging to the tool bar) the folder drop down menu in the hope that templates would show up but nothing.

I'm not familiar with Thunderbird but I do use Outlook a lot so I'm not naf either.

regards and thanks in advance

Each account has its own Templates folder which should be visible in the narrow left hand pane. Open that and you'll see your templates. Double-click one to start a new message from it.

Make sure View|Layout|Folder Pane is checked

The folders tool should find it for you too. But you will only have a Templates folder if you have actually created a template, so if you have multiple accounts they may not all have a Templates folder (yet).

Thanks Zenos

Yes, I hadn't paid attention to which account I created the template with and then started looking for it generally and not in any particular account.

Now I've got it.

Thanks

I do not have a place in my left column where templates (or drafts) appear. When I click on 'File' I cannot view any of the mail posts I have saved as templates or drafts. View|Layout|Folder Pane I cannot find.

In my Accounts Settings for the account I saved the latest template, there is a description that my drafts are in a folder at the site of the account. Well, where in the world is that? Do I go into Program Files or Users to locate these folders?

Drafts are not templates.

If you can't follow those directions then I think you don't have the regular old fashioned menu. Press alt or F10 to see that menu, or right-click in the space next to a tab for a toolbar settings drop-down, and enable the Menu. .

Alternatively, |Options - hover on "Options", don't click.

See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Menu_differences_in_Windows,_Linux,_and_Mac for differences in the menus between Windows, Mac and Linux.