Just to finish off...the overall setting to not get emails is set the following way.

* Go to "User CP" far left in black toolbar, main page

* select "Edit Options" from the column on the left
* select "Default Thread Subscription Mode" from the options as you scroll down the page...select "No Email"

This will stop emails from any NEW threads, (but not apparently older ones)...to do that follow the methods outlined by previous posters

(selecting "thread tools" from the RH side of the black toolbar will allow you to "unsubscribe" from individual threads)

Thx to all, that was p!$$!n& me off for ages