Hi Tony, have a word with Will Powell and the casting lads at Kirkleatham about learning to cast, they cast once a month on a Sunday and practice on a Thursday night when the light nights get here.
As far as the rods go I'm sure you will get lots of different reccomendations, the best thing though is to see if you can have a try of any of your mates rods and see if they suit you as they all have a different action.
Jim.