History

At Jenner we are extremely proud of our heritage and the following time line illustrates those events and projects that have had a significant impact on the history of the company within the context of other interesting events and projects around the world at that time.

Historic Jenner Events	Year	Historic World Events
Charles Jenner forms building company C Jenner & Son Ltd which operates from Broadmead Road, Folkestone.	1875	On the 25 August 1875 along the coast at Dover, Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim the channel by reaching Calais in 21 hours and 45 mins. In the same year steel producer Dorman Long was founded by Arthur Dorman and Alberte de Laude Long when they purchase the West Marsh Iron Works.
Albert Pentecost purchases the company from Arthur Jenner, the grandson of Charles Jenner and becomes the major shareholder of the company with Percy Trice the minority shareholder.Work is completed by C Jenner & Son on the new Folkestone Rotunda development which housed the Palace of Amusements and Boating Pool. The architect for the scheme was Mr D Pleydell-Bouverie and was commissioned by Lord Radnor. It was famous for being europe’s largest clear span self supporting reinforced concrete roof structure. The concrete was batched on site and the roof was poured in one continuous pour that took 24 hours to complete.	1938	The steam locomotive Mallard sets the world speed record for steam by reaching 126 mph and Action Comics #1 is published, which is the first publication featuring the comic book character Superman
The company moves to Alexandra Works in Bouverie Road East.Although many of those working for C Jenner & Son are called up to serve in the Second World War, the company remains operating throughout this period assisting the Ministry of Defence along the south Kent coast to rebuild much of its bomb damaged buildings including those at Manston and Hawkinge airfields. Fortunately many of the younger more able men such as Eddie Newman, Ron Hammond, Jack Philpott and Bill Clayton amongst others return home safely after the War and return to work with the Company. Although the effects of the War meant that companies like C Jenner & Son had plenty of work and a strong labour force, materials were not so readily available.	1947	The International Monetary Fund begins to operate. Motor scooter operator Lambretta is founded in Milan, Italy.
The extension to St Saviour’s Hospital, Hythe is completed with the interesting construction technique of the cupola being installed via a helicopter. It took three attempts to install the cupola due to the weather conditions on the day and the fact that the helicopter could only have a light fuel load on board. This meant refuelling was required at Manston Airport before the mission was accomplished.	1952	Elizabeth II becomes Queen of England following the death of her father King George VI. Pioneer curtain wall skyscraper Lever House officially opens in New York City. Later that year in the same city the United Nations begins work in the United Nations Building.
The Royal Oak Motel, Europe’s first motel was built by C Jenner & Son at Newingreen Nr Hythe and is believed to be the location of the first ever scene in the television programme Crossroads.	1953	Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel Casino Royale. In sport England beat Australia to win the Ashes for the first time in 19 years. Just days before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, Sir Edmund Hillary and Napalese mountaineer Tenzing Norgay become the first men to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Work is completed on the Pfizer headquarters building in Sandwich. Although the main structure is a steel frame, the entrance canopy is reinforced concrete and is the largest spanning cantilever of its time and spans over the adjacent entrance road. At its peak the site required a workforce of 250.	1961	John F Kennedy becomes the 35th President of the United States and Michael Ramsey is enthroned as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury. The Government unveils new “panda” crossings with push button controls for pedestrians. 28 floor 100m high skyscraper the Empress State Building is built in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
Tendering against leading national contractors, C Jenner & Sons Ltd are awarded the War Office contract worth £750,000 to rebuild Connaught Barracks, Dover. The two year project requiring a labour force of over 200.	1962	An agreement is reached between England and France to develop the Concorde supersonic airliner. The Sunday Times becomes the first paper to print a colour supplement.
The Company move to Park Farm from its Alexandra Works office in Bouverie Road East following the compulsory purchase of the site by the local authority for town centre redevelopment.	1968	Ronan Point tower block in Newnham, East London collapses following a gas explosion. The 5 and 10p coins are introduced prior to the change to decimalisation. The post office divides post into first class and second class services.
Jenner (Contractors) Ltd is formed following the retirement of Albert Pentecost and Percy Trice. The company moves from its existing office in Park Farm to a new purpose built office named Century House in celebration of its centenary year. The new shareholders and owners are Managing Director Reg Giles, Simon Pentecost and Tony Pilcher.	1974	Ceefax is started by the BBC. The Guys tower is completed in London making it the tallest hospital building in the world. The tallest building in the world the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) was completed in Chicago and remained the tallest building until 1998.
Work is completed on Folkestone Magistrates Court on behalf of Kent County Council. Contracts Manager for the project is Simon Pentecost.	1979	London Underground Jubilee Line was inaugurated. Sebastian Coe sets a record time of completing a mile in 3 mins 48.95 seconds.
Following the retirement of Director Reg Giles, Simon Pentecost becomes Managing Director and he and Tony Pilcher become the two shareholders of the company.	1986	The first edition of the Independent Newspaper is published. The UK and France announce plan to construct the Channel Tunnel which they hope to open in the early 1990’s. The new Lloyds Building at One Lime Street is officially opened.
The Paramedical Studies Building constructed by Jenner for Christ Church College Canterbury is opened by HRH The Princess Royal. The £1m project is to be used by the Occupational Therapy and Radiography degree course students.	1991	One Canada Square becomes the tallest building in England.
Current directors Martin Sandall and Nick Barnes are invited onto the board and the company celebrates 125 years at the recently completed Bronze Age Boat project at Dover Museum.	2000	The Tate Modern museum, The Emirates Towers in Dubai and the exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millenium at the Millenium Dome are opened.
Following the retirement of Mick Barton, Derek Kedwell becomes Managing Director of Park Farm Joinery.	2004	Two Norman Foster designed projects are opened, The Gherkin in London and the Millau Viaduct in France. The social networking site, Facebook is founded.
Jenner complete the £5.5m Chatham High Street project on the site of the old Odeon cinema. The 58 key worker flats and 30 bed hostel sets a new benchmark for the company in terms of the size of projects undertaken.	2005	The New Forest in Hampshire becomes England’s 12th National Park. London is chosen as the host for the 2012 Olympic Games. Q1 tower in Queesnsland Australia becomes the world’s tallest all-residential building at the time.
Andy Ralph is invited on to the board and Jenner are awarded the contract to build 140 flats at Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville for Accent Peerless. The project represents the first undertaken by Jenner over £10m in value. The two year project is due to complete in August 2010.	2008	Barack Obama makes history by becoming the first African-American US president, while Lewis Hamilton becomes the youngest ever Formula One winner.