Thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone. Interesting stuff.
JF - Great reading, as ever. It isn't the stall itself that's the worry, but the chance that I might mess it up and end up in the dreaded sp*n. Specially in approach config/ with power. But there's only one way round that fear: Go out and do it. I will not, however, be "wiggling my ailerons". Something to leave to you experts, that.
HandT: Tiger Moths. I wish. The only air I'll have on my face will be coming through the door after the instructor gets out.
I'll be sticking with the C152s then, to start with. I'll be booking up for next week, with the oldest and most placid instructor I can find (you've got to be right about that, BETA. Can't bear the over-verbose or jumpy ones at the best of times) In the meantime, any further thoughts or advice gratefully absorbed.
Doing this seems a much bigger challenge than the 1st solo, or even getting the PPL..