Hi Tess
Nice to hear from you. For espaliers, you can cut off branches which start to grow out and away from the direction you want, then train first sappy branches from August in the first year. Yes to canes which may need a temporary tie to (at right angle to) the trunk to hold them in place at first. It is fiddly but more satisfying, fun and cheaper and nicer looking than using post and wire. Good luck with the wind.
Your cordons may need more support than a six foot cane when they fruit, I would not let them fruit this year, or only a very few apples. They may be keen after a lean year in 2012 but have lost a lot of root I expect.