>I'm fairly sure that soldering isn't allowed on mains
>connections here, at least I've never seen them.

I don't know about the UK, but in NZ there is what is known as a "married
joint" where two pieces of 7 strand wire are to be joined, but I believe it
is only done with earth wires - certainly not with insulated wires.

The construction is to spread the outer six strands of each wire for about 4
inches length, and cut the centre strand off. Now butt the two wires so the
centre strands are almost touching, and the splayed outer strands interlace
with the strands of the other wire. Now wind the splayed strands over the
otside of the other wire, twisting in the original direction of twist. The
overall result is about an 8 inch length which is a 2 strand thickness
thicker than the original wire. This joint is then solidly soldered - an
action that requires a decent wattage iron to make the solder flow properly.

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