"Leaving the site early?"

Having just returned from touring Durham, North Yorkshire, Lancashire and South Derbyshire, I was struck by the prominence of these posters in reception areas.  Not having noticed them before, I idly mentioned to the friendly warden when collecting my newspaper that there must be extenuating circumstances for not expecting members to forfeit one night's fee when leaving the site early.  I had in mind illness, family circumstances, problems at home, etc.  He looked quite shocked and told me that he had no authority to waive the rule - everybody must forfeit the fee, regardless of circumstances.  He did add, however, that, in the event of death, the fee would be waived.  He didn't specify whose death and, I suppose, if it were my own, I wouldn't particularly care whether I lost the night's fee or not, but surely, some consideration would be given dependent on circumstances and, surely, the warden, being on the spot, would be the best person to make this judgement.  Come on, CC, remember that many of your members are of the more wrinkly persuasion and, as such, are more prone to having medical conditions which might make a return home imperative, but, even so, everybody is likely to have some important reason for cutting short a holiday at some point in their life.