Now that Google has finally and utterly loused up its Newsgroup
reader, please can anyone suggest a workable alternative?

Yes, I have tried the 'new Google Groups' and that is even worse IMHO.

Before Google /groups came on stream I used my then ISP's (Demon)
reader. With that one I had to save all the threads of interest on my
own PC, which meant:

(1) I had to spot them &/or save all threads from a particular group.

(2) I did not have any means of retrospectively searching for other
topics which later interested me.

(3) I had to write my own archiving programs.

Google groups WAS ideal because:

1. It provided a scrollable list of recent postings from the VERY FEW
groups that interest me - and even within those there are very few
topics of interest.

2. Picking on a topic showed a hierarchical list of threads

3. Provided a searchable archive of postings. No need to save
anything locally unless of exceptional relevance or interest.

4. There was no need to monitor postings on a daily basis. (Holidays
allowed!)

So what do posters here recommend as its replacement?

As simple an interface as possible please. Without a pile of computer
technical stuff to circumvent. My needs really are simple & reading
Newsgroups is not my prime aim in life, useful as they are.

BTW I have, at times, been a regular poster to uk.d-i-y but clicking
on my 'Google Profile' attached to thread, shows the b*st*rds now have
even lost my posting history. sic transit gloria

Many TIA for all thoughts.