MBE recipient says 'the smile hasn't left my face'

We have an a chat with Vic Dade - who received the award for his service to the RNLI

“It feels great,” Vic smiles, when I ask what it’s like to have an MBE.

The 64 year old’s been honoured for his service to the RNLI, after volunteering for 47 years.

“It felt fantastic to receive it, it’s been like that ever since really, photographs and people very, very interested in it.”

Image RNLI/Chris Bishop

As we chat outside the lifeboat station in Old Hunstanton, one of his colleagues stops to say, “The smile hasn’t left his face!”

“It’s hasn’t, no!” Vic replies, laughing, “Everyone here’s been great, we’re quite a close family really.”

And you can tell. There’s not one member of the team who isn’t genuinely happy for him. Another jokes they’ll get a t-shirt made with MBE in big letters on the back for him to wear.

Vic in 1979, at 17 (dark top and white shorts)

Vic’s now a mechanic at the station, but at 17 he joined as a tractor driver, quickly becoming a crew member - and going on to pilot the hovercraft.

“The RNLI was just something I fancied joining,” he tells me, “I enjoy just being part of the crew, going out and doing the job, you get satisfaction if you save somebody.”

And over the years he has saved many lives.

One of the most memorable rescues being in 2013, "The three girls we saved at Brancaster, that was a close one.” He flew the hovercraft which saved the sisters who’d been cut off by the tide.

The sisters came to the station in 2024 to see Victor, image RNLI/Chris Bishop

Even though he’s witnessed some nerve-wracking moments, the drive to Windsor Castle to receive his MBE was an anxious one.

“I was nervous the whole way there really!” Princess Anne presented the award, “And she made me feel at ease, because she talked about what I do.”

He was joined by his wife, Dee, who is ‘really over the moon about it’.

I had hoped Vic would be wearing the MBE, so I could take a closer look, maybe hold it - but no such luck, as his wife (understandably) has already got it on display.

“It’s quite light, I don’t get the chance to hold it much because she’s proud and put it into a frame!”

Hovercraft pilot Leesa with Vic

Leesa Espley, who’s worked alongside Vic for more than 20 years, stops to have a chat.

“These are the people that deserve the award, that give so much to the community.

“Vic’s always been there, he’s always been there for everybody, so it’s nice that he’s got this recognition - we are all really, really happy for him.”

“Thank you,” he responds.

Image RNLI/Chris Bishop

And there’s no plan to retire anytime soon, "As long as I’m fit I’m going to keep going - until I’m 70 at least. Then I’ll have completed 50 years.”

As I’m saying goodbye, a few more team members walk by, one of them courtesies as a joke.

Vic looks at me and smiles.