French commune's new logo has a little British influence

A Briton has been chosen to design a new logo for three villages that were amalgamated into a single commune earlier this year.

Sarah Lennox has bred horses in Brion, one of the villages that make up the new commune of Bois d’Anjou, in the Maine-et-Loire, for 10 years, but when she was in the UK she worked as a graphic designer. When she read in the local newsletter that the commune was looking for ideas for a new logo she thought she would have a go.

“There is quite a sizeable population here, so I thought there would probably be other graphic designers entering” said Mrs Lennox, “but in fact I was the only one with any experience and though there were other people who put forward ideas, they chose mine.

"We then worked on the initial design until we came up with the final logo. It is very simple. The background shape represents the three villages in the form of a triangle incorporating slightly heraldic shaped curves and a soft gradient to emphasise the history and douceur d’Anjou. It can also be seen as a road leading to the new title. The colours are for the woods and I hope the stylised tree says a little of the beauty of this place. It’s a modern logo for three villages.”

Mrs Lennox says she enjoyed the challenge and feels she’s actually given something of value to the community: “It was fun to do and it is nice for me to do something for the village that will be there for posterity.

"I was really happy they let me do it and it has helped me to get integrated into the community. It is often difficult to understand how village life works in France as it is so different from back home but I now have an insight into the way in which the mayor runs his commune; I’ve met new people and I’ve found out what’s going on. I like the way so much of the work that goes on in a village is voluntary, where people like the councillors give their time without payment so I was happy to offer my skills without a fee. I am also very honoured that they asked me!”

The village is so pleased with her work they have now asked Mrs Lennox to produce a logo for their campsite.

In January 2016, hundreds of new communes were created after a new law was passed to encourage small rural villages with dwindling populations to amalgamate into more efficient units.