PRESIDENT’S LETTER 2025

I would like to introduce myself to you all. My name is Deborah (Debbie) Potgieter and I am the President of our association known as ESRA. I have been a member of ESRA for about eighteen years, almost as long as I have been resident in Mallorca! For more than fifteen of those years I have served on a number of committees in various different positions. I am now into my second spell as President and it continues to be a very good and interesting experience. Over the past few years ESRA has faced some very challenging times. Brexit has had an unfortunate effect on our membership numbers. People cannot spend the amount of time enjoying our island as they used to so have not renewed their membership.

As a result of Brexit all resident English nationals have been able to obtain the new TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjera) to comply with the new laws. Several of our committee members have helped with the whole process of obtaining these cards as others find bureaucracy difficult to cope with. Things have obviously settled down after Brexit. People have worked out how to spend as much time as possible on this beautiful island of Mallorca.

Our members are treated to coffee mornings, lunches, dinners, inter District quizzes and many other events that are organised by the District Committees. Examples of some of the events we put on are on the website and if you would like further information or join our organisation there is an application form. Membership is very reasonable at 15€ a year with a 10€ joining fee.

I hope to see some of you at our events in the coming year!

Debbie Potgieter
President ESRA