The Resi hosts Conversations with Lynne FranksJuly 22, 2015

This summer, Lynne Franks will be having Conversations With Inspiring Women at the Resi in Deia. Lynne, recognised as the UK’s leading Women’s Empowerment Guru, is a successful business woman, author, broadcaster and speaker. She has had a home in Deia for many years.

Louise Davis, PR manager of the Resi describes the concept behind Conversations With Inspiring Women. “We wanted to do something a little different. The idea is to talk to women achievers about what drives them and learn about issues concerning their work. All the people interviewed have homes and/or businesses here on Mallorca.”

Supporting RANA

The events, which follow on from the success of Lynne’s Conversations With… series in the UK, are in aid of RANA, the Mallorca-based charity dedicated to stopping violence and sexual abuse against children.

“Preventing the abuse of children is something I’m deeply passionate about,” says Lynne, “and this is my way of doing what I can to help highlight the amazing work done by Elizabeth Homberg, RANA’s founder.”

Conversations With women authors

On 7 July I went along to the Resi to listen to Lynne chat with authors Anna Nicholas and Jackie Waldren.

Anna, who lives in Soller, is the author of several highly popular books set in Mallorca. Her latest is A Bull on the Beach: Enjoying the Good Life in Mallorca. Jackie’s book Insiders and Outsiders: Paradise and Reality in Mallorca is a highly accessible study of Deia that started life as academic anthropological study and is essential reading for anyone interested in Deia. Lynne’s books include GROW, the Modern Woman’s Handbook.

In the cool tranquillity of the Resi’s El Olivio restaurant, particularly pleasant on an especially hot afternoon, a group of us had the pleasure of listening to these impressive women talk about their work and lives in a relaxed, intimate manner.

Deia on a pound a day

Jackie shared her memories of arriving in Deia back in 1959, when it was possible to live for a pound a day and rent a house for five or six pounds a month. It was a romantic time when people wiled away the hours drifting back and forth from the Cala, swimming, taking long lunches and siestas al fresco. Just like now, really.

Lynne pointed out that, “Where there are beautiful places, creative people come. It seems like everyone has been through Deia. Robert Graves believed it was because of the magnetic qualities of the rocks here but who knows? Whatever the reason, this is a unique space.”

I hope you die here

When a neighbour of Anna’s, an old lady, said to her “I hope you die here” she knew she was no longer a “flyby”, as Soller locals call foreigners. It was a proud moment.

Anna began writing her books when she was part of what she christened the EasyJet Commuters Club, flying back and forwards from London, where she has a successful PR agency. As she explains, “It struck me that, although many people had followed in Peter Mayle and written what’s called ‘flitlit’ like A Year In Provence, no-one had written about having two lives.”

Anna is thrilled by the reception for her work. “A few days ago, an Australian woman told me she was moving to Soller to live after having read my book A Lizard in my Luggage. I don’t write to get rich but it’s wonderful to know that my work has changed lives, in a simple way.”

Future Conversations With

On Tuesday 11th August the theme of Lynne’s conversation will be “Women in Ethical Fashion” and she’ll be talking with Orsola de Castro known as the “Queen of Upcycling”, and a surprise guest. Tickets are 20€ per person and can be purchased in advance at the hotel reception. After each event, guests are invited to a special cocktail at the Resi.

Links

An interview with Jackie from a couple of years ago