Not a bad idea HampshireHog but unfortunately, due to the nature of So'ton it ain't a very social place. We all pretty much turn up, check out the aircraft and go. Not hanging around after either.
It's a shame Goodwood is so expensive as I think it would probably be a more friendly place to learn (and its just a close to me).
On an aside I think this thread is increadibly useful and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside seeing all the other people going through the same sort of thing as me. Keep it up guys, hope to see some of you sometime.
