Letter: Are Bird Droppings “Unacceptable”?

Published on: 7 Jun, 2023
Updated on: 7 Jun, 2023

From: John Oliver

In response to: Fate of Guildford Golf Club Beech Trees Still Unclear

I visited the trees outside Guildford Golf Club clubhouse yesterday to take a closer look.

The trees themselves look perfectly healthy, but I shall leave their health to the experts to fully diagnose.

We can’t really tell what the insurance position actually is unless the club releases documents for public viewing (I would ask them please do). However, there were some bird droppings around the patio and seats, but hardly the “unacceptable” problem” we are told was set out in the newsletter.

The club is in the countryside, birds live in the countryside, the club put the patio and seats under the trees and yet it is these majestic trees that must come down because of the club’s actions.

Why does this seem like clutching at straws to justify the club’s intention – and I do wonder what the real intention is here. It doesn’t seem like many members would be put out anyway.

I was there just after 3pm on a beautifully sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky and not a soul on the patio, under the trees or otherwise, and just one table occupied on the balcony.

How many people will occupy patio tables during the late autumn to early spring period? Does the club really want to remove all of this majestic beauty and valuable habitat and natural food source because of a very occasional problem in a restricted part of the year?

I don’t say that lightly. If the club finds the droppings “unacceptable” it means that, even if the other reasons it has given did not exist, it would still take the trees down just because of bird droppings. Incredible.

Anyway, I must go. I have to submit a planning application to pull George Abbot School down. Loads of seagulls strut around the roof on a daily basis – and you know what their droppings are like.

Share This Post