I too abominate the factors which have led to PLI being as near compulsory, for pretty much any leisure activity, as 'F*ck it !' is to swearing.

I was bought up on the 'Volenti non fit injuria' principles. I have scars on the finger and thumb of my left hand from having turned the wrong way in a rapper sword dance. Was I to sue the Side with which I then danced ?

I can hear the hoots of derisive laughter 30 years on - if you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined.

A trespasser took a 'short cut' across an allotment site, having no lawful right to be there. The said trespasser was injured and sued the gardeners' association. The association had PL insurance, and the insurers (whose choice it was and is to settle out of court, as it were) put the best part of £100, 000 - one hundred thousand pounds - to one side to meet the claim made.

Without PLI Liability would have been joint and several among members of the gardeners' association.

Although it blisters my tongue to say this - better safe than sorry. In my view having PLI for a leisure activity has to be compared with being a member of a Motoring Organisation - you hope you will never need it, but without it you're up Shit Creek without a paddle . . .