Hey Tony, you are definitely in the same boat as me my friend.
I started learning when I was 22, then put the bass away when career and work took over. I'm now 40 and recently decided to try again. Its like starting from the beginning as you say, and I also suffer with the confidence issues that you describe, but I'm determined to get there one way or another!!
This site is really helpful in me finding inspiration and its full of great people
I also see you are in Cheshire? I'm on the outskirts of Manchester