Oxfordshire woman elected mayor of French village

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 16:31 · Archive

Maureen Searle, 72, has been elected mayor of Mont-Saint-Éloi in northern France, becoming the first British woman to lead the village.

Maureen Searle, a 72-year-old former pharmacist and English teacher from Oxfordshire, has been elected mayor of the small village of Mont-Saint-Éloi in northern France, becoming the first British woman to lead the village. She moved there in 2000 with her English husband and subsequently became a French citizen, serving on the local council before her election earlier this year.

Searle faced significant opposition during the campaign, with some locals arguing the position should not go to a foreigner and calling her 'L'Anglaise' during the election. However, she won by a landslide. She told Connexion France that she was motivated by wanting to do something for the village. 'They've put their trust in a British woman to manage projects in France,' she said. 'It's a truly beautiful village, a little gem that must be protected and showcased.'

Mont-Saint-Éloi is located 15 minutes from Arras and 45 minutes from Lille. The region contains numerous British and Commonwealth war cemeteries from the First World War. Searle's father worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The village's most recognisable landmark is the ruined Abbey of Mont-Saint-Éloi, whose twin towers dominate the surrounding countryside and date back to the medieval period.

How it is being reported

• French village elects Oxfordshire mayor for the first time in historyAn Oxfordshire woman has made history after being elected a mayor of a French village.Oxford Mail · 12 Oct, 16:00
• French village elects Oxfordshire mayor for the first time in historyAn Oxfordshire woman has made history after being elected a mayor of a French village.Oxfordshire Guardian · 12 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Maureen Searle · Mont-Saint-Éloi · Oxfordshire · France · Arras · Lille · Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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