Broadstairs resident Janet Dell receives MBE in New Year’s Honours List

Broadstairs resident Janet Dell  has been made an MBE in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours List.

The 78-year-old has been cited for services to Lifeguarding, a brilliant achievement for someone who was scared of the sea as a young child.

Janet said: “As a child my mum would take me into the sea backwards because I was frightened of the water. This was in the days when we had the old tin bath and I just wouldn’t have that bath! Then, when I was seven I said I was going to learn to swim.

“She (Mum) made the hand and leg movements and said that was the breaststroke, bought me a rubber ring and off I went.

“Three weeks later at Walpole Bay she was running along the breakwater saying you can’t stand up there and I said ‘I’m swimming.'”

Janet became involved in Lifeguarding when, at the age of 14, she collected funds for Ramsgate Lifeguard Club – now Thanet Lifeguard Club- alongside adult volunteers. In school,  Janet swam competitively. During her later school years she assisted in the teaching of swimming and water safety.

Janet narrowly missed a place on the 1976 Olympic squad but in 1978 she swam the English channel solo in 16hrs and 44minutes. She subsequently completed a second relay swim of the English Channel with colleagues from the Thames Valley Police with whom she served as part of her career. She was the first ever WPC to be assigned to the traffic department of TVP.

As a long serving member of the Thanet Lifeguard Club she attained the full range of performer awards in lifesaving through to the Distinction Award and her Pool and Beach Lifeguard qualifications. Janet has been involved in the voluntary promotion of swimming and lifesaving in the UK and Europe for over 60 years.

The remainder of Janet’s professional career has seen her help countless students through their 11+ examinations as a school and private teacher.

As a Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) National Trainer Assessor in the Pool Programme she has arranged Pool Trainer Assessor (TA) courses and provided support for Probationary Pool TAs for over 10 years. She has supported these courses both within Kent and in other branches and is recognised within the IQL framework as being an active and positive advocate of the programme.

Having already been appointed as an Adviser for Lifesaving, Janet achieved National Trainer Assessor (Lifesaving) status and ran a Lifesaving course. She has also participated in the successful Save A Baby’s life community outreach programme.

In 2006 Janet was appointed as the Membership Secretary for the Kent RLSS branch and in 2007 was elected as Branch Secretary, a post held until 2014.

As a competitor, she has been particularly successful in national and international lifesaving championships having won a number of titles, scooping gold, silver and bronze in Italy and holding the current world record for master’s competitive lifesaving in her age group.

She became a branch competitive official in 1998 and later became an RLSS UK National Official supporting events in the UK and abroad. Ever willing to pass on her experience she has supported the development of individuals with their competitive training.

Janet has been appointed a National and International competition judge, officiating with the International Lifesaving Federation at their World and European Championships over the past six years.

She has also been recognised at county level with a mayoral certificate for proudly being selected as one of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Bearers, something that she undertook with immense pride.

Her long service, dedication and enthusiasm has been an example to all who share the belief that drowning is preventable. All tasks undertaken by Janet whether it be with the RLSS, International Lifesaving Federation or in competitive swimming are voluntary and without remuneration.

Mum-of-one Janet said when she first received the letter to inform her of the MBE she thought it was a prank until son Chris said it was real.

She added: “I was honoured and surprised. I am proud and emotional. The 64 years of work has not been for nothing!”

Janet is one of 64 people from the South East who have contributed to their community and country and are celebrated in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours List 2026 today.

In total, 1157 recipients have been awarded this year for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus being on those who have championed their communities.

Anyone can nominate someone for an honour. If you know someone who has achieved fantastic things worthy of recognition, go to https://www.gov.uk/honours to find out more about how you can put them forward.

RLSS UK National Honours

• 2014 – Bar to Medal of Distinction – (Merit Honour)
• 2012 – UK Long Service Medal (50 Year Service Honour)
• 2009 – Medal of Distinction – Merit Honour)
• 2006 – Recognition of Service (40 year Service Honour)
• 2004 – Certificate of Recognition – (Merit Honour)
• 2002 – RLSS UK Life Member –(35 Years’ Service Honour)
• 1997 – Bar to Service Cross (30 year Service Honour)
• 1990 – Certificates of Thanks
• 1985 – President’s Commendation

RLSS UK Kent Branch Honours

• 2022 – The Bullet Memorial Trophy for contribution to lifesaving sport
• 2018 – The Pat O’Connell MBE Trophy for a lifetime contribution to Kent Branch
• 2007 – Awarded Branch Life Membership

RLSS UK’s mission is to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning and be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Since 1891 it has built up years of experience and boasts a strong force of loyal members and volunteers who work to promote water safety and educate in life saving skills.