Thanks for all the advice - I've gone for a trial flight at Stapleford on 9th Sept (first available time on weekend). One thing I was wondering is it normal for people to use more than one club to do the training? I thought doing that might help to ensure there is availability. I'm guessing that isnt so go for the instructed section of the PPL as you would want continuity of instructor but maybe for the solo sections it might actually be an advantage to have trained out of a few airfields. Does anyone else do that?