Thank you for the replies, I went to Stapleford yesterday and although it seemed like a thriving airfield, it did seem very much a cold business. I haven't been to Andrewsfield yet, but have heard good things.
As for the North Weald suggestion, I have flown in there several times but I didn't realise that they had club aircraft to hire. I like the idea of North Weald as it has a hard runway and therefore won't be shut for weeks after heavy rain.
Decisions decisions.