by Dave Lee
The Wade family were honoured when Dave Lee contacted us in the 1990’s to tell us that he was writing a book about the Wade history. He then asked my father to write the forward:
FOREWORD
I was absolutely delighted when Dave asked if I would be prepared to write the Foreword to his book. It fills a gap in the growing library of Wade volumes and helps to clarify the history of both the family and the complex web of companies past and present. Dave has brought a subtle combination of tenacity, humour and objectivity to this task, ably assisted by Di Wade. The depth of their research is awe inspiring and their knowledge of all matters pertaining to Wade borders on encyclopedic!
Books such as this are born from enthusiasm and I know that my father and grandfather would heartily approve of it. I feel sure that they would be justifiably proud that the Wade name has become so firmly established in the collecting world. As avid, lifelong collectors themselves of many bizarre objects, I know they would be hugely gratified by the pleasure that Wade products have brought to successive generations. The success and rapid growth of the collector’s club, moreover, bears adequate testimony to this and I fervently hope that the factory will continue to meet the demand for goods that make people smile!
This is the book I would have loved to have written myself – indeed if I could have achieved such a well balanced, warts and all, account of the “dynasty then I would have felt very pleased with myself! I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to Dave and Di on behalf of all Wade enthusiasts, and at the same time pay tribute to Wade employees and management past and present who have made it all possible.
Jeremy Wade July 1996
When I decided that it was time for a new Wade website one of my first phone calls was to Dave.
Dave has gone on to have an excellent career in writing and broadcasting and it was a pleasure to reconnect with him. Dave has very kindly given us permission to reproduce the Wade Dynasty on the website and has also provided a huge amount archive material.
Dave has also agreed to write the final chapter for the years 1996-2026 to bring the history up to date. We are also planning some other future articles for the website.
George Wade June 2026
