Thanks for replies so far:

• Checked out DBIx::* modules. I was sure I'd done a CPAN search already for DBI :( . Anyway I've downloaded modules to have a play with. And discovered the DBIx::Schema module, which I think might be useful for handling the abstraction of CGI views which encompass more than one schema. There's a lot there to evaluate... I'll try to post something interesting soon if I have time!
• The Gossamer Threads link is very interesting: looks like a database admin type view of the database at table level, which is very useful. (though my initial idea was to facilitate making User focused displays that relate multiple tables...)
• It did however execute 90% of the typing for me
  exactly!

Update:And also found on CPAN CGI::FormBuilder which I wasn't aware of. Looks interesting and I love Nathan Wiger's rationale for creating it:

I hate generating and processing forms. Hate it, hate it, hate it, hate it.

Update 2: The original post has had a fairly good response, so I think some work or evaluation on this subject might be called for! I won't be able to spend a lot of time online this week, but I'll check replies and messages as soon as I can. Thanks all!

Cheerio!
Osfameron