pronane, not a "lad" but I can add some comments if you like....
2 ways to do a PPL - fly in the UK, at your local airfield, whilst studying for and taking your exams. Benefits: you get to know your local field, easy commute, and you will probably hire from there when you get your licence. Or you can fly abroad - USA is usually cheap, not so much now you don't get so many $$$ to the £££. Australia and South Africa are other options. If you do a search here on pprune you will find various references particularly to the American schools. If you go to google and type in "jaa ppl usa" you will get the idea. You can see for yourself the costs involved. If going down that route I suggest you start studying prior to going out, maybe have a couple of lessons at your local school then go abroad for around 4 weeks. That way you are very likely to get your licence completed and come back with your JAA PPL.
Shares - I would say it is a good idea to stick with the aircraft you learnt on initially, until you are very comfortable with it, then go do some dual in other aircraft types. Having a share in an aircraft can be good fun if you fly regularly and find a good group.
Try picking up a copy of Pilot or Flyer magazine.
Go talk to the instructors at your local flying school about PPLs and CPLs.
Be aware that gaining your PPL is really gaining a licence to learn. Its a bit like passing your driving test - you reach a minimum standard but you learn heaps after getting your licence.
It is expensive to get your PPL in the first place but the hours you do subsequently are almost more important - make sure you save a bit of your budget for follow up training and solo flying. If you learn abroad then allow a couple of hours for local familiarisation when back in UK.
I would also really recommend visiting a few local airfields as they do vary, the schools have different feels about them and you may find that one suits you more than another. For example, round here, there is a very commercial airport with a couple of schools, all very anal, or there is a real "club" airfield which is very laid back, and has a strong social scene. In both you will get professional instruction but it depends in what style - chat to your instructor over lunch or sat in a classroom?
Good luck!