1) Why isn't GeanyVC recognising the git repository.

It might be more that GeanyVC is not recognizing the Git program you are using. I'm guessing if you can go into the regular Windows Command Prompt and use the 'git' command normally, GeanyVC should have no problems. IIRC the Git installer has options to install Git proper and make it findable through the Path environment variable.

I reinstalled 'Git' and selected the option 'git available at a windows command prompt'

I can now open a command prompt window and type 'git' and shows a short help message.

Back to Geany - check the plugin settings, all the same, try 'Status' and 'Commit'
The message at the bottom of the Geany window is "GeanyVC: s_spawn_sync error: create process failed"

What do I do with this...???

Cheers
Murray