I do not work for (or have anything to do with) Lee.
I cannot comment on the first sentence. However I can comment on the second, from experience.
A phone call or RT call maybe ok for a full time GA airfield, however when the "government" is involved in running the airfield, be it police or military, there is a lot of hard work involved by individuals to try and make GA happen and broaden the GA community. I see this as an opportunity to get another airfield in the book and to further "our" experiences as pilots.
A form with your details a few days before is a fraction of the paperwork that goes on behind the scenes by whoever is kind enough to organise these events....There is an absolute mountain of it! just to get someone to say "yes, in principle" is a triumph.
I hope (and I'm sure) your bad experience was a one off.
Cheers
LG