Hi Rhys,
good name!! 
I started buying silver a few years ago, just a few ounces a month and then the odd gold coin when I could stretch to it. I stopped about a year ago as the prices were rising and I wanted to reduce my 0% credit card hopping fund. I now have a small pile that appears to have grown in value recently. I didn't buy silver and gold to sell it again, I just wanted to build up a percentage of my wealth in precious metals.
Kitco at http://www.kitco.com/ is an obvious starting point for trading precious metals including futures. There is also a forum.
Gold Exchange Traded Funds have only been going a few years and silver ETF less than 2 years. The website Marketwatch http://www.marketwatch.com/funds/ has some up to date articles.
regards Rhys