A stalwart of Tenby’s fire and RNLI rescue services has been honoured at the seaside town’s lifeboat station.

On Wednesday, April 30, Tenby RNLI had the honour of presenting launch authority Dicky ‘Mint’ Lewis with his service certificate.

A true Tenby man through and through, Dicky once famously said on the TV programme ‘Tenby 24/7’ that the only time he’d ever leave Tenby would be in a hearse heading to the crematorium in Narberth!

Dicky dedicated nearly 40 years to the fire and rescue service and, even after retiring, continued to serve his community for another decade as a launch authority.

That’s nearly 50 years of unwavering commitment to local emergency services and the people of the seaside town!

As watch manager at Tenby Fire Station, Dicky was honoured back in 2013, when he retired at the same time as fellow firefighting stalwarts Martin Hurlow and Gwyn Johns, with the trio giving a combined 115 years service to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Dicky is still a familiar face around the station at Tenby Carnival time though, which is put on by the town’s firefighters for charity, often taking part in the fancy dress parade himself!

“During his time with us alone, 17 lives were saved thanks to his efforts - an incredible figure, with many more undoubtedly impacted during his time in the fire service,” a spokesperson for Tenby RNLI said.

“Thank you, Dicky Mint, for your dedication, your service, and your legacy!”

Dicky’s son Jon, Deputy Coxswain at Tenby’s lifeboat station, has proudly followed in his father’s footsteps through both the fire service and the RNLI.

Jon remarked: “Without the old man’s help, there’s no way I’d have made it to the level of Coxswain!

“Me, my brothers, sister, and his partner Jayne are all incredibly proud of him.”