As I think I have said several times on here, the whole point of the ATC was to give some young men that tremendous lift to their personal confidence the day they flew alone in an aeroplane. There is NOTHING that can replace that. AEF is all very well, but hands on flying beats it every time.
I think it is high time that 'rumours' of whatever kind are replaced with honest statements about whether there is actually going to be any glider flying.