SB, we had one guy leave because he was living in Newcastle but the commute to Manchester ate into his time too much. This was in the days of DM and evil Scheduling demons. I don't know what the average show time is for EGCC these days.
We do have a few guys in the Bristol area with Thiefrow as a Gateway. They do get the odd early shows for airlining.
Perhaps our friend "Gone til November" can shed some light.
Although, I see OSOP is a Manchester person.