The DLCI and how it all started by Jennifer de Chabaneix Weeks, founder member - written in June 1996

Madam President, Members of the Committee, Ladies.
 
I have been asked to tell you how it all started. Well, I’d say on a “Whim and a Fancy”.
 
Long before the DLC existed, Paddy Atkinson phoned me asking if I knew of anyone in the Villeneuve-sur-Lot  area as there was an English lady dying in the hospital there who wanted to talk to someone in her own language. I thought then how sad it must be in these distressing circumstances to be in a foreign country and not have anyone to help. Something should be done about it, but what ?
 
10 ½ years ago a friend invited me to a luncheon at the Bordeaux Women’s Club. All different nationalities were chatting round the tables and I rather fancied this and thought to myself “Why not in the Dordogne ?”. My friend was very enthusiastic.
 
I asked a few of my lady acquaintances to join me for a meeting and promptly forgot about my friend who had taken me to Bordeaux. When she found out later that a Committee had been formed, she was so pleased. Quite rightly so ! You may ask, who was the friend ? Your very own President, Anne Marsh! She has since climbed the ladder to the top without any help, quite successfully on her own.
 
Our first meeting in a café in Bergerac to try and form some sort of a “shadow” committee was with people of different nationalities, Caroline Dejong ( Dutch ), Dorothy Hankey ( American ), Heather Gibson ( English ), Annie Bader ( French ), etc.
 
HOW WERE WE GOING TO SPREAD THE WORD AND ACTUALLY GET PEOPLE IN ?
 
I remember spending long hours going through the telephone directory and picking out the foreign sounding names – foreign sounding to the French of course – like in the village of Fouleix, under the letter V was Mr Peter Violet-Burton ! To all these people I sent out letters asking if they would be interested in joining us.
 
I cannot tell you how overjoyed I was when the responses started coming in. The “Committee”, not shadow any more had to meet again quickly to set up some sort of status which our first Secretary Heather Gibson did with great efficiency. A name had to be agreed upon and we had to lick ourselves into shape. At this point I would like to say I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO MERIT WHATSOEVER AS I WAS SELF APPOINTED PRESIDENT.
 
So off we went ………
 
Our first luncheon was at Hotel de Bordeaux in Bergerac where some of you old faithful’s were present. Gordon Ramsey gave a most interesting and amusing talk about his life as a Surgeon in Great Britain. I may say that I was as nervous then standing up in front of everyone as I am today in front of you all.
 
Our first jumble sale was at my house – what a lot of junk people got rid of ! What a lot of junk was I left with ! I’m still trying to get rid of it ! My advice, never have a Jumble Sale in your own house.
 
We had our first cricket match against the boys at Eymet  and when we couldn’t scrape up enough girls, we hijacked some boys, dressed them up as girls and sent them onto the pitch – needless to say, we always won !
 
Our first Xmas Dance was at the Royal Perigord in Bergerac when our then Vice President, Annie Badar walked off with someone else’s mink coat and wouldn’t give it back so convinced she was that it was her’s ! In French, one would say “La Folie des Grandeurs” perhaps ?!
 
Then there was Cargelli’s Fashion Show & Car Rallys etc.
 
We became more and more adventurous and produced our first Pantomime with Chris Lane/Schuff in charge. There were front parts of cows ( weren’t there Jackie ? ) and back parts of cows; Tinkerbell; Poof Girls in pink wigs and tutus; Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, Cinderella and Margaretha Augustinson who “Always Wanted To Be A Star”. We had the outright nerve  to invite Her Majesty’s Britannic Consul from Bordeaux – it was no wonder he has never been seen in the Dordogne since !
 
As if it weren’t enough to have local activities, we have taken the DLC to Chalais to Susanna Issac’s lovely mansion, to Gradour-sur-Glane, Collanges-la-Rouge, Arcachon with the bucket & spade brigade and even went International when we went to Venice. Nothing stops us. I see Disneyland has been the latest attraction.
 
I’d just like to mention here, our logo you see on our headed paper. We had an internal club competition and it was won by Sue Wilcox. So many talented people within the club who have helped beyond belief to make the DLC what it is today, the Art Exhibition, the Christmas Fair which is an annual event in the Dordegne & Lot-et-Garonne. Ladies like Els Payens, Ike Rustveld, Jackie Meisel, Christine Ramsay, Barabra Gower, Cate O’Connell and so many others who have given so much of their time for our charities.
 
Does anyone remember the SPA Dog Home in Bergerac 10 years ago ? Well, I do. And when you see it today, it is thanks to you all. Do you know how many Guide Dogs you have trained and given to the blind ? I can tell you – 8 thanks to you all. How many families you help through the Lions Club is not disclosed publicly but I can assure you your money goes in the right direction. Our intervention in the Orphanage at St Foy de Longas is also very well received.
 
Now to the menfolk! Nothing suits them better than to have us all out of the house for a day so they can get up to some mischief ! Here I must say that our thanks go to all those husbands and partners who have helped willingly and unwillingly in past, present & future.
 
I have to give a theoretical Medal Of Loyalty to some members who have come to practically every event we have ever planned and the Gold medal has to go to Yvonne Gossart who, I think, even learnt to drive for the DLC ! The Silver medal goes to Jeanne Armand who tries her very best to be at every event although she does not drive and depends on other members.
 
To all of those whose names I have not mentioned, please do not take umbrage. My last word will be for all members  of the committees who work hard behind the scenes. Without them, the DLC would not function.
 
We’ve always tried hard to keep this an International club ( not just British please ! ) and it is so gratifying to see so many ladies of various nationalities from all areas of the Dordogne & Lot-et-Garonne getting together for lunches, discussion groups or whatever – there to help each other if need be – making new friends and exchanging ideas.
 
I thank you, Madame President, Members Of The Committee and Ladies for carrying on my whim and my fancy.
 
Jennifer

With grateful thanks to Yveline Ulrich for providing this wonderful pictorial history of our group ( covering the period from 2006 to 2011 )