Thanks guys - I'm quite into the technical side of flying, so I may well pick up the Thomas book at a later stage. The aim of reading/self-briefing was to go into this minimising waste of time for myself and my instructor. I know reading doesn't substitute for flight time, but I'm used to getting into the books and learning profiles, drills, etc.
The club I have chosen has superb ridge-soaring... professionally run with a full-time staff, and flies 7 days a week, until the sun goes down. I don't have the luxury of being able to fly every weekend or, say, every Tuesday and a couple of visits have confirmed my choice. They have evening and day courses when the wx is not good enough to fly - I might be able to pitch in and run a radio course, for example, or an air-law evening. This is my idea of a club - I've been to a a fair few powered clubs where the bar is full of people talking out of ermm their behinds, and 'elitist' doesn't even begin to describe the social life. Had enough of that (and, frankly, so has my chequebook !).
I'm starting with a neighbour - he may well go solo before me as I suspect I have a lot of pre-conceived power-flying (and heavy jet) handling to unlearn.
I've ordered 'Flying Weather' as well - all my met texbooks are more about climatology than local conditions for gliding - lots to learn and thank you all for your recommendations.
Regards