Friday update

Another week seems to have come and gone all too quickly and what an eventful week it has been in the media once again, with racial uproar following the royal interview and Piers Morgan’s subsequent resignation from Good Morning Britain (perhaps to the relief of many) alongside fears of new COVID variants and vaccine side-effects posing health concerns. All of which reminds us that it is perhaps wise to limit the amount of ‘news’ we take onboard each day as the many sensationalised stories, particularly those relating to the ongoing pandemic, serve no real benefit to our wellbeing and threaten our current positive outlook as we start to focus on the future.

As we continue on the road to recovery with this week heralding the first pivotal step forwards with the return to ‘live education’ I do hope that for those of you who have school-aged children their return has been as smooth as possible and they are settling back into routine as best they can after months of isolation from their friends. I am sure it offers you a welcome reprieve from the challenges posed by home-schooling, so let us now sincerely hope that with millions of children back in close-proximity that the R-Rate remains stable. With the UK averaging a remarkable 300,000 vaccinations per day and surpassing 23 million first doses now administered, the government remains on track for its latest target of 32 million vaccinations to the highest priority groups by 15th April. With 88% of deaths thus far from this demographic the potential impact on overall death rates will be undoubtedly significant, ultimately reducing pressure on NHS resources which we know is essential to overcome the pandemic. Whilst we may be tempted to criticise many of the actions taken by our government over the past year, the UK are certainly leading the way in the global vaccination stakes with infection and death rates correlating to this momentum and I do feel this should offer us further confidence and optimism.

After almost a year of pandemic-induced disruption that has changed everything and truly compromised our day-to-day existence it would be fair to say that even the most resilient of us have been truly tested at some point over the last 12 months. Remaining positive and upbeat can be difficult at times and makes the role of our Jenner Mental Health First Aiders more important than ever. A reminder of those who are trained to offer support and guidance is shown below (and will be displayed in the office and across all construction sites) so, should you need it, you can find someone you feel comfortable to reach out to at any time. Breaking down the stigma associated with mental health and the fear of speaking up when you are struggling is a key focus for Jenner in our duty of care to keep you all safe and well both emotionally and physically.

Construction activity is back on the increase after a slight contraction in output at the end of last year and remains the only sector of the economy still growing according to new economic data. We still have some way to go to return to pre-COVID levels of productivity and performance but with a high-level of new business enquiries coming forwards, various contract successes over previous weeks including another recently secured to deliver 7 new family homes on behalf of existing client Rogate and an incredibly strong forward order book, I feel confident we are on the right track, well placed for growth and success and in a far better position than many of our competitors. As always your efforts, enthusiasm and dedication are wholly appreciated so please do keep up the good work, it does not go un-noticed.

Following handover a few weeks ago Canterbury Medical Practice has been pictured looking fabulous in the glorious spring sunshine and is now fully operational, welcoming patients from the former Cossington House and London Road surgeries into vibrant, modern and fit-for-purpose new facilities. This is such a prominent site within the bustling Kent & Canterbury hospital and another Jenner project to be most proud of.

As mentioned a few weeks back the development of Folkestone Seafront was featured in ‘Ground Engineering Magazine’ a national and technically focused publication, and the article is now available online for onward promotion and ease of reading via the following link: Regeneration: On the Folkestone waterfront | Ground Engineering (geplus.co.uk) Please do feel free to share.

F51 is also back in the press this week and this time featured in national publication ‘Concrete’ magazine. I appreciate it might not sound the most glamourous of reads but as another technical publication this once again hugely raises our profile beyond the realms of local contractor status and promotes the technical brilliance that exists within our skilled team of people at Jenner. I’m told our PR consultant even confessed to reading this on a Saturday afternoon, a sign of COVID-times perhaps, but undoubtedly this is more positive promotion for the project which continues to fly the flag for Jenner and promote us as a highly capable and reputable contractor of choice in the region and well beyond. As soon as we have a PDF of the full article I will share this with you.

Turning to people-focused news this week I’d like to mention Laraine Sims who is commendably keeping active whilst fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) by walking 62 miles during March. Many of you will be aware of the remarkable work of GOSH delivering first-class care to very poorly children and young people to give them hope for a brighter future and like all charities they are in great need of the charitable efforts of others such as Laraine to generate vital funds to continue their life saving work. If you would like to support Laraine and her friend Tracey who is walking with her, in the form of a small monetary donation you can do so via the following link https://www.facebook.com/donate/3683748971711634/?fundraiser_source=external_url or alternatively money can be donated directly to the GOSH website. Very well done to you Laraine, as pictured below in your GOSH T-shirt and good luck in reaching your target. I do hope the weather is kind along the way!

More milestone birthdays have been celebrated this week as Mel Mann reached her half century and kindly treated us all to some delicious home-baked cupcakes earlier this week. Happy Birthday to you Mel from us all here at Jenner and we do hope you thoroughly enjoyed your day despite lockdown. I’m sure you’ll celebrate properly as soon as circumstances allow. Although not notable ‘big birthdays’ (they are well beyond the 50 mark) happy birthday this week to two of my elderly Co-Directors Geoff Crouch and Darren Welch. I’m not sure if Geoff is delusional, in denial or has somehow missed the past 3 years of his existence after his claim earlier today to be 48, but as our Surveying Director you would like to think he could count by now! Happy birthday to you both and do hope you have managed to celebrate in style.

Finishing with yet more good news I’d like to express heartfelt congratulations to Dave Chilvers and his wife Sally on the safe arrival of their second child, a beautiful baby daughter Cora, a sister for little Hugo. As she decided to make her entrance into the world 5 weeks early she is still in hospital but I’m informed both mum and baby are doing well.

Aptly, that wonderful news leads me to conclude tonight’s update by wishing all the Mum’s amongst you a day of complete relaxation on Mothering Sunday which

I am certain you all totally deserve.

Do enjoy the weekend everyone and please continue to stay alert and doing all you can to stay safe and well.