G'day Peter,
[...] However, I am now having a problem getting snippets to work. I can find instructions for Linux and have tried the Windows equivalent (the snippets.conf file located in the C:\Documents and Settings\Peter\Application Data\Geany directory). Nothing happens, I don't know how to activate the snippets.
Firstly, you need to tell Geany to reload its configuration for it to load your newly created snippets. This happens when you close and restart Geany, or you can select Tools -> Reload Configuration on the menu.
Next, you need to press the TAB key after typing a snippet, and it should replace the snippet.
NB: You need your snippet to be defined for the filetype of your file - e.g. if you're editing a C++ file, you need your snippet in either the [C++] section or the [Default] section of the snippet.conf file.