but i am extremely frustrated with the Authority's readiness to embrace the highly questionable dictats from EASA on the one hand,
Sadly, they have no choice, some States may turn a blind eye but that's not the UK way.
and its inability to understand and provide workable solutions for GA operations in the sphere alluded to
That is not the CAA's job, their role is to regulate for safety nothing else! Under EASA that function is largely being removed, leaving them with no tools to perform their primary task.
And I have also heard that EASA will kill the possibility for clubs to continue doing the above mentioned pleasure flights.
EASA is responsible for the worst piece of legislation in the history of aviation; it should not come as any surprise as it is typical of all the other garbage that emanates from the EP.