Message from our President 

Bienvenue!

Welcome to the website of the Dordogne Ladies Club International. We are a vibrant and enthusiastic community of women of all ages and nationalities (with English as the lingua franca) who have settled across a wide area of the Dordogne. The DLCI was formed almost 35 years ago with the original aim of cultural exchange and providing mutual support for new lives in another country and we remain true to that today.

There are many opportunities to meet regularly, both informally and through more structured events, which are designed both to entertain and inform. We enjoy exploring the beautiful countryside through our guided walks. We are also very proud to acknowledge that we raise significant funds for local charities.

Some of our members work and many, though retired, are active on a voluntary basis in our local communes. Some of us have been in France for many years and others have only just arrived. Whatever your situation, you will find a warm welcome from the DLCI.

I hope I have whetted your appetite and that after you have browsed our website, you will get in touch! I feel very privileged to belong to such an active and friendly association and I look forward to meeting you in the near future.

Cordialement

Kathy John

Book Club Passage 

Extract from ‘The Free Frenchman’ a fictional novel by Piers Paul Read.
Chosen by Sue Morrison

Conversation in London, late 1942, between Bertrand de Roujay, Aid to General de Gaulle and American OSS Colonel Harry Jackson.

Harry sat down next to Bertrand…... “You still don’t trust me?
“I trust you to act in your country’s interests” He spoke coldly because in his mind Roosevelt’s flirtation with Giraud was like Harry’s flirtation with his wife.
“Aren’t our interests the same? asked Harry.
“Similar, but not the same”
“We want to win the war and liberate France”
“Yes.”
“And keep the Communists out.”
“Yes.”
“Then where’s the difference?”
“Not in the end we pursue, but in the means to the end,” said Bertrand. “You may be powerful, and you may win the war for us, but you don’t know France or the French. We are impossible people – not courteous and correct, like Giraud, but arrogant, quarrelsome and gauche like de Gaulle. If few of us follow de Gaulle now, it is because we pursue a chimera to the Left or to the Right of what we would like France to be: but in the end we will all follow him, because in the end we will all recognise in him our own reflection”.


Read, Piers Paul (1987) The Free Frenchman. New York, Random House Publishing.

Gardening Column 

Hopefully you are now able to enjoy the fruits of your labours earlier in the spring and summer, with all the glorious flowers, fruits and vegetables of the season. I think the recent mixture of rain and sun has been perfect for our gardens.

Keep dead heading roses and other flowering plants, even if they do not repeat flower the plants will look better. If you still have some summer flowering bulbs not planted, as I do, it's still worth planting them if they are sound, they will flower in the autumn.

If you want to supplement your patio pots, buy a few more bedding plants now while they are still available in garden centres.

Now everything is planted in the garden, the main jobs for the rest of the summer are weeding and watering.  I am always amazed to find in gardening magazines and articles, the statement 'keep on top of weeds' inevitably accompanied by a photograph of somebody's hand clutching a tiny annual weed, which I wouldn't even notice in my garden. It is constantly trying to return to being a meadow - or in part of my garden an oakwood! It can help with both these tasks, weeding and watering, if you mulch your borders with garden compost, lawn mowings (but not if these contain a lot of weeds or any weedkillers) or even a permanent water-permeable membrane with bark mulch on top which is what I have around shrubs in my woodland border.  This would otherwise be full of oak seedlings and brambles.  As it is difficult to buy huskless sunflower seeds for the birds here, I periodically gather the husks from the ground around the bird feeders and use them as mulch on one of the borders.

In the vegetable garden I grow most well-spaced vegetables through the black plastic strips used for strawberry beds.  This is not very attractive and you could use water-permeable membrane,or a thick layer of compost or straw which does not contain weedkiller. You will still need to weed with a hoe or by hand weeding, but it should be easier with fewer weeds and you will also reduce the need for watering.  In any case watering should be concentrated on vegetables, fruit, pots and newly planted plants. It is better to soak the roots every few days rather than frequent sprinkling.

Unfortunately a lot of gardens normally open to the public will be closed this year, but the Jardin de Boissonna rose garden at Balleysagues near Duras will start to open this week and the beautiful water gardens of Latour-Marliac on the River Lot are well worth a visit.

Christine Lees 

Our member of the month is​
​Liz Berks

Every month we are going to ask one of our members to introduce themselves so we can learn a little bit more about each other.  I want to thank Liz for taking the time to share her story... ​

Where to begin I ask myself?  At the beginning is usually best, but I shall start in the middle when we left England and I watched the wake of the ferry and the land of Poole harbour slipping away in the distance. It was an emotional moment, I had no idea when I would see England again nor what was ahead of us. The year was 1989, the month May. We were on the ferry with our Winnebago camping car heading towards the port of Cherbourg starting our European adventure.   We had sold up the Trout farm in Shropshire where we had lived and farmed for 15 years. Kind friends had taken my 3 beloved Flatcoated Retrievers which I had trained as gundogs, worked and showed. Leaving these dogs behind was the saddest day of my life but there was no way we could take 3 large dogs in a camping car with us!
This was 31 years ago.

I was born in north Dorset, my father was a country doctor and my mother active in the community. At the age of 8 I boarded at a girls private school in Somerset leaving aged 16. It was here that my love of the country, music, Arts and self reliance were nurtured. Working in the art room was my favourite place. I learnt to drive.   In 1960 I left home and trained as a Beautician, working for Coty England Ltd. Subsequently, I became at PA Secretary for a Property Management Company, after re-training at the London School of Speed writing. My life changed dramatically after 3 years when I joined IBM in the Personnel Resources Department.  My favourite job was conducting company research surveys. During one survey in May 1968 I met Brian. We married in the October 5 months later. Brian’s job moved us to Winchester, a City I vowed I would never leave. It had everything especially music.   We acquired a cat and a dog. I joined 2 choirs, Waynefleet Singers associated with the cathedral being one of them. In December 1973 we left Winchester and IBM and moved up to a new life in Shropshire.

And so Burwarton Trout farm in Cleobury North was born, and where we lived for 15 years. With backup from the Viscount Boyne Estate from whom we rented the land, we created a successful competitive trout farm from scratch converting old fish holding tanks and other areas. It was high risk, hard work and in the hands of the weather. We quickly became involved in the local community and made many friends. Brian became Captain of the local cricket team. I held the key for our little church, was PCC secretary 12 years, and Churchwarden for 2 years; with
the responsibility of an old Norman ruined church as well as liaising with English Heritage.  Brian introduced a Flatcoated Retriever puppy into the house in part payment for a load of trout he had delivered. So started my love affair with Flatcoats. I bred, showed, did Obedience and Gundog training, and worked the dogs ‘picking up’ on local shoots at the invitation of the local keepers. For 9 years I ran a local campaign for Guide Dogs for the Blind, holding many different fund-raising activities including Exemption Dog Shows. After only one year we raised £1000 needed for our first dog. The GDB training centre in Leamington Spa featured a lot in my life.  The local Associations including Scouts, Guides, Brownies. all became involved. It was a most fulfilling and wonderful time. I joined the WI, played badminton in Bridgnorth 7 miles away. We both sang in Kidderminster Choral Society. 

In 1988 we sold up, bought a Winnebago camper-van and left England in May 1989 travelling. We had a very interesting trip, passing through France, Switzerland, Germany to West Berlin via East Germany as guests of the Allied Forces HQ staying with friends stationed there. There is too much to say, except that there was great tension, and very unexpectedly the Wall came down
in November, 3 weeks after we had been there. Checkpoint Charlie is now in a museum! Then followed Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and Portugal.

In August 1990 we decided to settle in France and bought the hazelnut farm of 24 hectares in Serres et Montguyard,  farming both hazelnuts and various crops. We were happily installed there for 10 years. During this time we ran French language courses. We were founder members of the Eymet Walking club. I joined the DLCI and, was persuaded to run a ‘Shaggy Dog Show’ and found myself on the DLCI committee on which I served for 5 years (the Statutes were different, I was involved in at least 2 re-writes).  My title was Special events, running several Summer Vide Greniers, alongside Membership Secretary and acting as general back-up! I became Vice President, and should have become President, but having done 5 years already the prospect of 9 was understandably too much. We were after all running a farm. I founded a Well Woman Group. We both sang with Pro Musica in Ste Foy.

My passion for wild orchids started here as did my interest in photography. I was not a botanist and knew little about orchids, but in 10 years I had identified 14 different species. I am on the Committee of the Société Francaise des Orchidophiles. I sing with the Anglican church choir, Cantabile Eymet, and the Belves Bach Festival choir. I run a Book Group. For several years I ran dog training classes for friends with young dogs - this was demanding but great fun. I support  Les Chien pour des Aveugles and the SPA. For about 20 years I fund raised for Dany Harris’ Animal Sactuary at Lauzun, ( Dany Aid) until Dany’s death in 2013.

We sold the farm and moved to Lalandusse in April 2001, completing a partially renovated old farm house and creating an easy to manage garden from 1 hectare of field. I have continued to study wild orchids identifying 8 different species here. We had a 7 week trip to my cousin in Australia.  We ran a Chambres d’Hôtes for 11 years until I was diagnosed with a brain  tumour in September 2015, and a dis-functioning thyroid 6 months later both successfully removed. We have two dogs aged 11 and 13.  We are members of Les Ainées Rurales de Lalandusse. I have
been a member of the DLCI since 1992, 28 years. We celebrated our Golden Wedding in October 2018. Europe is important to us, and we obtained our French citizenship in October 2019, 3+ years after applying and 31 years after arriving in France.  We now have dual nationality.
Liz Berks June 2020

'Identifying and recording mountain orchids in the Pyrenees'.

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Members on the Map

You are never far away from another member; we are in total - 118 members across the region.  Everyone who comes along to a lunch will be given a badge.  Each badge includes a small dot in different colours.  This indicates members who live in similar areas so if you spot someone with the same colour take the opportunity to say hello.   
​    
   Pink dots -   Bergerac and surrounding area       
   Green dots - South East  
   Blue dots - South West 
   Yellow dots - North East 
   Red dots - North West 

Events are held in different parts of the region so you will have the opportunity to join activities close by.
 

Charities 

The Dordogne Ladies Club International was founded to provide friendship and support as well as to raise money for local charities.  We aim to do this in a way that is sustainable and maintains the beautiful environment in which we live.  We look after our planet the way she looks after us. 
We are proud that in the last five years we have given in excess of 20,000 euros in donations to local charities chosen by our members.  In 2020 the members will be nominating and choosing new charities to receive donations.