Don't give up on sherburn - if there are people there that you don't like make the effort to bring in an atmosphere thats more enjoyable. There are plenty of people there who will have a laugh and a joke with you??? Everyone behind the flight desk and all the instructors will bend over backwards to help you.
I got my PPL there, enjoyed every min of if and I reckon that just because some idiot decided to make a few bob through drug running its turning the whole Sherburn "Situation" on its head.
It's a great place, its nice and cheap, its got excellent facilities, nice clean aircraft, a good bar and variety in its flying surfaces.