Thanks all. Good advice as ever.
Will be doing a class 1 in Sept, but for what it's worth I'd finish the PPL regardless of whether it all goes horribly wrong at the class 1, and speaking of which I've booked an hour at Redhill Aviation to see how I get on.
FlyinErin - might bump into you there.
Ronaldsway Radar - as it happens, most of my 60 hours were at Stapleford. Was actually based over at High Cross (Ware) with PSF, but as that was unlicensed we'd routinely touch and go at Stapleford. I did like it there.
Halfwayback - good to know age isn't a barrier, and not to worry, I'm quite careful with my cash...