Not sure if he's still operating but last I heard he was. Ashton Aviation have a great little aircraft, full instrument fit and not a ragged old school a/c. Two people I spoke to have said it's a much better plane than any of Northumbria Aero club planes. I think they also have access to the Bulldog at Newcastle. I think Keith Lister is the CFI(fixed wing) there now and he used to be the CFI at Newcastle aero club. Also Andreas works there part time and he was ex-NAC.
As for the Wings bar, can't anyone use that? I was led to believe it was a public place?