Many thanks for the suggestions, although I don't think there are any aircraft for rental at Meppershall. There seem to be two or three possibly based there and registered to the owner / engineering company and others which fly in for maintenance. Still worth an exploratory visit though.
The Pathfinder Flying Club states that it is for "regular Service personnel" -which I am not! So presumably not available to me. Thanks for the suggestion though and probably still worth a call.
Does anyone have any knowledge of operations at Rush Green? I did investigate that but about 12 years ago, so I guess things have probably changed.
Thanks for the responses.