Why do I get this message on every start up for the last 3 or 4 updates - it then proceeds to function as normal - what migh appear to be an endearing little message is so annoying after 9 months or so... Is it just me?

Normally that only appears if SD has been closed down without saving (like a computer reboot or a close
if you click OK it should re-start as a recovered project, which you then need to save with a new name (previous project name is ok to use if you want to keep that name)

If your SD is doing that continuously every time you open it then something is wrong, either download the latest version or report the issue to CC Guru's themselves & they can probably take a look at what's going on for you