Message from Paul Abrey, “Our Man in Majorca....”

We have had a wonderful 7 years here, full of amazing memories – I remember my first article in the Daily Bulletin which I think was titled “thanks for the welcome” well, I would like to say thanks for your support, friendship and kindness over these years.

I arrived just before Christmas which looking back was probably a good move as I received a huge number of invitations to events (probably not great for my wife Mar as I was frequently out rather than unpacking boxes!) from the Local Authorities, who were initially wary of this “non grey-haired private sector chap who spoke about serving customers” (actual quote but we won them over) and from a number of the excellent ex-pat groups we have on the Island.

My first event with you as a community was the Age Concern Christmas Lunch, where I asked to say a few words (which they all thought was novel) and I asked the 100+ attendees “how many of you have recently visited the Consulate?” – no hands went up. So I asked “ok, how many of you have visited the Consulate in the last 3 years?” – only 3 people put their hands up.

I was amazed and said so and asked “why do so few of you use the Consulate?” – the answers ranged from “we didn't feel welcome” to “it is difficult to get to and we don't know what it is there for”. I left a little shocked but not before explaining what we are there for and that everyone should feel welcome.

The pattern was repeated at many of the other lunches and events I attended including a few ESRA Christmas lunches.
That “feedback” was so helpful in putting the case together to ask for investment in a new Consulate – as anyone that visited (not that many of you did, by the sounds of things) will have seen the place was dated (that is diplomatic speak for falling apart!). We had cockroaches in the kitchen; air conditioning that didn't work; frequent flooding and it was difficult to get to and had a very poor waiting room. Not a lot going for it, but of course funds were tight (there were many Embassies asking for money, many in war zones) so I was delighted when we received sanction - I will remember my former Ambassador calling me to tell me and say “we have been asking to move for 4 years and you are lucky to get this agreement in 4 months!”.

Anyway, the rest you know – we bought and fitted out the Consulate as a much more customer centric place where I hope you feel comfortable going to – and will for years to come.

I was also doing quite a lot of work with colleagues in London and Madrid on defining what consulates actually should be doing and as importantly, what we don't do, hence many of my articles to you and I am pleased to say, a lot of feedback from you. For example, many of you mentioned being unsure of pension and benefit arrangements in the UK. We built a partnership with the DWP and many of you attended workshops across the Islands. It is striking how many of you help in the community, whether through great organisations like ESRA and Rotary to Son Amar and Pirates amazing charity nights (I have never been so moved as speaking to the families of Great Ormond Street during their visits here). Thank you for that. I shouldn't forget our challenging summers and your help (and that of the tour operators) in helping us to deliver as good a service as possible, but also made sure that visitors and we have had a lot, including Ministers (and the Prime Minister spending summers here) and the head of Foreign Office, have gone away with a positive impression of the Islands and the challenging work we have. I remember the Consular Minister remarking how unrelentingly challenging the work in the Balearics is, but how superb the expat community were. Anyway, as we begin to prepare the move to Canada and yes I have bought a big coat, it is with the fondest memories that I will remember Majorca. Someone said to me recently “Well 7 years was plenty long enough to fall in love with these islands” – but it didn't take that long - it took 10 minutes! It is not really goodbye, but “hasta luego” as we will be back regularly and will be watching the news to hear how you are going from strength to strength.

Many thanks to all of you again for your support, friendship and kindness over these years. You have made our time here very special.
I would like to finish by paying a final tribute to my team across the Islands who have been wonderful and all I could have asked for.
Thank you.