The reasons I'm happy to pay a fee:
1. In Yorks-Lincs, the only outlay is £10 per annum (plus £10 refundable deposit for membership pack) - a very reasonable sum, especially when you consider that my good lady gets membership at half price on the back of mine.
2. In paying this £10, I've accessed a whole new network of new friends (some who've become very firm friends) and the social life that goes with that.
3. I'm always keen to learn new skills and paying the membership fee has given me access to some quality training from people who really know what they're talking about. This serves to make me a far better off-road driver than I would otherwise have been, but has also given me a greater awareness of my vehicles capabilities (I'm pretty new to 4x4 ownership compared to many on here).
4. It's given me the opportunity to feel damned good about myself when I've helped someone - not as an individual, but as a member of a fine group of public spirited folk that I'm proud to be a part of.
So yes, I think the fee is justified
