yeah a member of my family learned at Halfpenny green. Was way back in the mid 90's thought so havent heard anything about them for a long time. Person in question got happily into 250+ hours there though. Plus a few in the states.
As for shobdon a guy i know has been there and loves the place. Im half sold for trips there already based on the cider ... dispite not being able to drink any
i dont touch a drop when driving let alone an A/C ... night stop ahoy!