Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
Capt Kremmen - I fly EASA, though if the AME trend continues I may need to reconsider.
360BakTrak - thanks for the Gloucester suggestion
tmmorris - thanks for the Wantage suggestion
I have gained an email reply from a reasonably adjacent AME.
Hasn't yet solidified into a specific appointment time - slightly unsettling, though I guess there are those who have a life beyond email.
We'll see how it goes.
SD