Friday Update

With ongoing speculation of a secondary national lockdown looming and the government under renewed pressure from medical advisors to impose yet stricter measures in an effort to control the escalating COVID infection rates, I hope you are all continuing to remain optimistic, focused and calm. Media scaremongering has been brought closer to home this week with reports that Folkestone and Hythe now has the fastest growing coronavirus rate in the UK and being paralleled with some of the highest risk areas of the Country. Whilst analysis of statistics released by public health authorities shows our district has recorded a 185% increase in positive tests over the past week, the rate is still less than half the national average and as such I would remind you all to remain open-minded in light of this news, and as cases in this region remain relatively low at just 50 per 100,000 people I see no cause for heightened concern at this time.

Our front-line defense measures continue to prove effective and our protocol is being utilised efficiently and appropriately. The most important thing for us all to do now is to exercise a degree of caution and common sense should you believe you have been exposed to the virus and take calm and considered action accordingly. As part of our ongoing measures please remember to socially distance, wash your hands thoroughly and follow the new CLC guidance for face coverings on site. It remains imperative that you continue to monitor your temperature when entering the main office or site on a daily basis with a temperature of 37.8 degrees or higher now considered a potential sign of the virus, at which point isolation and testing becomes necessary.

Taking a look at project progress this week and continuing our focus on the healthcare sector from a few weeks back, Canterbury Medical Centre, our second medical centre on site for client Assura, is progressing exceptionally well under the calm and collected management of Steve Cullen, and is now accurately resembling the CGI’s previously shared with you all a few months back. The centre replaces two former dated Canterbury surgeries with modern fit-for-purpose primary care facilities which will undoubtedly be an absolute asset from which the community will benefit greatly on completion in the Spring. This is a particularly prominent site for Jenner within the heart of the bustling Kent and Canterbury Hospital grounds and has received high praise from many of the NHS staff which is most encouraging to hear:

“It’s an amazing achievement thus far, the way your team have gone about each stage has been thorough, skilled and professional, one can’t fail to be impressed. Your tribute to the NHS is also touching and welcomed in these difficult times.”

Continuing with positive news, I am delighted to introduce a new addition to the buying department who joined us last week, and who is actually a returning member of the Jenner family having worked with us many years ago as a Trainee Site Manager. Michael is also the son of Bob Wilkinson who also worked for us as a well respected Site Manager before his retirement. I am certain many of you will remember both Michael and Bob from their time with us. So a very warm welcome to Michael Wilkinson; we are very happy to have you back within the team as we continue to grow and prosper.

Our golfers, who are pictured below (and who seem to think they are modelling for a Next catalogue) have been back out in force to represent Jenner at the Canterbury Rugby Club charity golf day held at Faversham Golf Club last Friday. The day aimed to raise vital funds for the club, which resides at the centre of the Canterbury community and is a vibrant hub for many of our construction and local business connections. It is therefore vital we offer our support at this time when funds are stretched, fundraising is difficult and sports clubs are fighting for survival, and it is imperative that we continue to network amongst strategically targeted industry professionals to ensure continued success and business longevity. I hope you enjoyed the day guys and didn’t lose too many balls (or your patience, Neil!)

On a personal note our very best wishes are extended within the General Works team to wish David Stear a very happy birthday as he reaches his sixtieth year milestone, and to John Owen who has proudly become a great-grandad in recent weeks to a little boy Bodie. Congratulations to you both and your families too.

That’s all from me for another week as we see out October, other than to wish you all a ‘Happy Halloween’ and I hope you enjoy a relaxing, treat-filled weekend.