This French Life

Villefranche-du-Périgord needs you

IF you are keen to get involved in local events in Villefranche-du-Périgord then the comité des fêtes is set to reform and is looking for volunteers.

In recent years a number of events have taken place in the village, but these have often been organised by the mairie, but now with its support it is hoped that a new comité des fêtes will take over the reins.

Volunteers are being sought across all secretarial positions, but also regular committee members as well as people to help directly with events on the day.

An initial list of those interested is being collected, so for more information contact serviceanimations.mairievdp@orange.fr where both French and English is spoken.

Lack of winter rain points to drought conditions for some this summer

IT seems likely that some ares of south west France will face water restrictions in the summer months after the failure of the winter rains to refill water courses.

Sud Ouest reports that regions such as Deux-Sèvres and Charente-Maritime have seen half as much rainfall as normal, with the Dordogne down by 36 percent.

The deepest water resources in the area seem to be OK at the moment, these are often used for drinking water, and whilst some water levels are three quarters below normal water authority bosses don't believe the situation to eb 'catastrophic'.

Locally here in the south of the Dordogne the small agricultural irrigation lake in Loubejac, les Griffouillères (above), is still quite low and it doesn't look as though it will fill completely this year.

Car parking bays at Bergerac Airport to be covered by solar panels

DURING the quieter winter months Bergerac Airport has been building a covered car parking area, and on top of it has been placed a large number of solar panels.

The promotions team at Bergerac Airport has taken a photograph of the panels across the parking bays and there is likely to be an official announcement in the coming weeks before the summer holiday season takes off.

Strong winds spark woodland fire and damage buildings

STRONG winds battered the Dordogne throughout Sunday and Monday causing extensive damage to buildings, power cuts as well as sparking a fire in local woodland.

Winds of up to 90km/h blew across the département, with an electricity cable torn from a pylon close to Mazeyrolles causing 15 hectares of woodland to catch fire.

Around 70 pompiers were called to the scene to ensure the fire did not spread as it was whipped up by the strong winds and after a dry winter much of the woodland in the area could easily catch light.

Elsewhere many people reported missing roof tiles and fallen trees, while an old tobacco séchoir in Loubejac was severely damaged as the side walls gave way due to the strength of the wind.

Primaire in Villefranche-du-Périgord: 17 February

Florence is a school teacher devoted to her students.

When she meets little Sasha, a troubled child, she will do everything possible to save him, even if she abandons her life as a mother or a woman and even calls into question her vocation. Florence will realise little by little that there is no age to learning.

The showing, in French, takes place on Friday 17 February and starts at 20h30 at the foyer rural, Place de la Halle, Villefranche-du-Périgord. Tickets are priced €6 with reduced rates of €4.50.

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Florence est une professeure des écoles dévouée à ses élèves. Quand elle rencontre le petit Sacha, un enfant en difficulté, elle va tout faire pour le sauver, quitte à délaisser sa vie de mère, de femme et même remettre en cause sa vocation. Florence va réaliser peu à peu qu’il n’y a pas d’âge pour apprendre...