Members of the exclusive St George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge, Surrey, have expressed outrage following the discovery that eight resident Canada geese were secretly culled. The club, which charges £2,664 annually, initially misled members and local residents by stating the geese had been "rehomed."
An email from Seema Parikh, a member of 18 years, revealed the anger and disbelief surrounding the incident. "Even more troubling than the secrecy surrounding the cull is the fact that, when members and local residents began asking why the geese had disappeared, they were told that the birds had been 'rehomed,'" Parikh wrote to the club directors. She added that if management knew the geese had been killed, this account was "plainly untrue" and appeared to be a "deliberate attempt to conceal what had happened."
A young woman at the club reception reportedly told Parikh the geese had been rehomed, and appeared "genuinely stunned" when informed they had been culled. Parikh stated the episode raised "serious questions about the judgment, integrity and accountability of the CEO and senior leadership." She also highlighted the plight of a single gosling, the "sole survivor of the cull," which appeared "lost and despondent."
A club member commented anonymously, "If we have senior management endorsing lies being told to both members and staff, then a red line has been crossed." The controversy is scheduled for discussion at a board meeting, with reports suggesting waning support for CEO Miles Hill.
Insiders noted the geese were popular among members, despite the significant mess they created, with an adult bird producing approximately 2 pounds of droppings daily. One online commentator suggested the club could have invested in regular cleaning services.
CEO Miles Hill stated the cull was decided "on grounds of public health and safety." The club reported receiving 30 responses supporting the cull and 18 voicing dissatisfaction. In a statement, Hill, 48, claimed the decision was "made collectively by the members of the senior team." He explained the "rehoming" explanation was provided "to avoid causing unnecessary distress to employees, particularly younger staff."
"The word 'rehomed' was wrong and should not have been used," Hill admitted. "It placed employees in a difficult position and created a concern about transparency." He asserted that staff should have been instructed to refer all inquiries to senior management without providing an explanation. Hill, however, rejected the notion that this "communication error," made in an attempt to "protect staff during an unprecedented and highly sensitive situation," indicated a lack of integrity or accountability.
The eight Canada geese were shot dead in the early hours at the club, located within a gated estate in Weybridge, Surrey. The club has received 30 responses supporting the cull and 18 expressing dissatisfaction.