St. George's Hill Lawn Tennis Club, a private establishment frequented by celebrities and billionaires in Weybridge, Surrey, has reportedly culled Canada geese due to the birds creating a mess on its courts. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots in the early hours of July 16, later discovering eight geese, including goslings, had been killed.
The club, situated within a gated estate known as the UK's "Beverley Hills," charges £2,664 in annual fees and a £2,000 entrance fee for new members. The 16-acre club boasts 34 tennis courts, 13 of which are grass, and has a history of hosting international tournaments.
Some members expressed dismay at the incident, with one stating that the club's management ordered the cull without consulting members. "The club is in a beautiful setting and the birds were part of that," one player commented. Another member noted that while the geese sometimes amble onto the courts and leave droppings, shooting them was an extreme reaction.
Concerns were also raised about firearms being discharged on the private estate without warning. Reports indicate that the geese were shot by a contractor licensed by Natural England to cull certain species for public health or safety reasons.
Club chief executive Miles Hill confirmed the decision was made on grounds of public health and safety, citing that grounds staff were overwhelmed by the volume of droppings produced by the birds. He stated the club is exploring methods to prevent geese from gathering in high-traffic areas.
Canada geese were introduced to the UK in 1664 and have seen a significant population increase. The British Trust for Ornithology reports that the UK population has more than doubled since 1984, now estimated at approximately 160,000 across England and Wales. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds noted a 753% increase in Canada geese in Wales between 1995 and 2024.
Despite the club's claims of pest control, some members suggested the birds might have been relocated to a nearby lake at Claremont Landscape Garden. Historically, the club has featured geese in its social media, with posts showing goslings on its terrace and a family of geese on the courts in rainy weather, captioned as enjoying the grounds.