Nice to hear that the Mark 2 LGW base sounds as friendly as the Mark 1 version when JEA first got the 146s in 92-93. I was the "Base Hostie" (basically a glorified #1 who put memos in maildrops & did a few check flights). Many of us "originals" are now with BA at LGW on both s/haul & l/haul & we all have fond memories of the LGW-CMF-BHX-CMF-LGW 4 sector ski charters....NOT! But the BHD pax were always fun ("What about yee???") & the crews were great.
If things 10 years ago were anything to go by go for it! It'll be hard work but small bases are always much friendlier; we were 9 crew at LGW 10 years ago & it makes me laugh now that we at BA L/haul LGW consider 800 a small base!!!!
Good luck & enjoy!