Channel Row Challenge

Jenner Crews Complete Channel Rowing Challenge

After months of gruelling training two Jenner rowing crews recently successfully completed the 36km channel row challenge.

Following the disappointment of the postponed attempt back in September of last year, the boats were eventually launched from Shakespeare Beach Dover at approximately 8.30am on 19^th May and reached the French coastline approximately four hours later.

The two five man crews were novice rowers who joined the Dover Rowing Clubs ‘learn to row’ course in 2010, and have now become two of only approximately thirty crews to have successfully completed the challenge in modern history. They have been raising money for The Pilgrims Hospice who took such great care of their Site Manager Roy Newman during his brave battle with cancer last year. Should you wish to support their efforts donations can still be made online by visiting their fundraising page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Jenner.Any support that you are able to give would be very much appreciated.

The crew members would like to thank the pilots of the ‘CS&PS’ safety boats from Pedro Boats UK, and ‘The Dover Rowing Club’ for their training, the use of their facilities, and for providing such great support on the day of the challenge.

r

Back to top

LABC Award

Charing Scheme Receives LABC Award

A recently completed scheme by Jenner for English Rural Housing Association has received a top award at the recent Local Authority Building Control South East Building Excellence Awards. The project which comprised eight affordable houses and flats at Wilkinson Close, Charing won the category of Best Social Housing Project against some tough competition within the south east region.

The award which recognises high standards of design, quality and workmanship is testament to the collaborative working between Jenner and its design and build team of Architect Michael Cook Associates and Structural Engineer GTA Civils and English Rural Housing Association their Employer’s Agent Betteridge & Milsom.

In addition to the Charing scheme another completed Jenner project at The Oddfellows Club Dover was also a finalist in the categories of Best Community Development and Best Technical Project. The project incorporated the refurbishment and remodelling of an existing three storey building to provide a new function room and ancillary areas together with 3 self-contained flats to the second floor. The scheme was undertaken for The Oddfellows Club under the guidance of Architect Tom Roberts Associates.

Back to top

Project News June 2011

Contract Awards

Jenner continues to maintain a healthy order book during the current difficult economic climate and is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Newington Vision contract for Orbit Homes (2020) Ltd. Phase 1 of the scheme which comprises 21 houses and 6 apartments above a retail unit is part of a regeneration project that includes the remodelling of an existing roundabout and road layout. Works on the project are due to start this month and be completed by September 2012.

Jenner has also been awarded the contracts to construct two exciting developments for Southern Housing. The similar sized projects comprise 3 houses and 39 apartments at Grange Road, Ramsgate and 4 houses and 36 apartments at Maison Dieu Road, Dover. Once again works on site are due to commence this month and be completed by September 2012.

Jenner general works department continues to secure a variety of interesting and challenging projects and has been awarded the contract to complete five new assisted living schemes throughout East Kent for both Sanctuary Housing Association and the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust. The 4 to 8 unit schemes were originally commenced by ROK Projects and following their demise Jenner will complete each of the projects which are in various stages of construction. Works are already underway on site with completions due between July and September this year.

General works have also been involved with a number of projects in connection with the Folkestone Triennial which runs from 25th June to the 25th September 2011. The nature of the works includes; the construction of two steel stanchions on the seafront which are 20m high and 30m apart with a cable between supporting a medieval bell; a concrete base for the Mermaid sculpture at the Stade; access works including steps and handrails to the Iglesias sculpture on The Lees; steel frame supports to suspend the Hugh Locke paper mache exhibition and associated lighting at St Mary and St Eanswythe Church The Bayle and finally the redecoration of the Visitors Centre at the junction of The Old High Street and Tontine Street. Further information regarding the Triennial can be found at www.folkestonetriennial.org.uk

Back to top

Udimore Road, Rye

A ground breaking ceremony took place recently at our Udimore Road, Rye site to mark the commencement of the new housing development named Valley Park. Before work could commence on the houses we undertook a significant amount of civil engineering work which commenced in March earlier this year. This comprised estate roads, sewers and works to safeguard the surrounding area from flood risk. The scheme itself comprises 135 new homes set in 17 acres of landscaped parkland, with children’s play areas and open space. The majority of the new homes will be built for private sale offering 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom accommodation. The scheme also offers a significant number of affordable units for rent provided by Orbit Homes.

Click here for a location plan.

Back to top

Jenner Continues to Support Development at SLGSB

Having previously completed the Art & Drama block at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury, Jenner were delighted to be awarded the contract to construct the new Star Centre building earlier this year. Other new build works include a separate observatory building linked to the Star Centre and a new food technology facility. The contract also includes work within the existing school which comprise a sound and lighting mezzanine area to the hall which is accessed via a helical spiral staircase, alterations to music practice rooms and new laboratories within the Science Block. Furniture for the kitchen work stations in the food technology block and lab furniture is being supplied by not for profit government organisation Remploy.

The phased handover scheme commenced in April earlier this year and the final phase is due to be completed during November.

You can view PDF documents for this contract here and here.

Back to top

Works Commence on Retrofit Projects

Jenner has been awarded two of the eighty seven retrofit projects commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board as part of their national competition. The competition was launched in March 2009 by the TSB with a view to making deep cuts in carbon emissions.

The two projects comprise the refurbishment of an existing dwelling at Biggin Hill for Croydon Borough Council which commenced last month and a further property at Tunbridge Wells for The Town & Country Housing Group. 

The works include amongst others external render on phenolic insulation, triple glazed windows and internal works to improve the u-value of the ground floor. Renewable technologies are also being introduced within the schemes which include solar thermal, a thermal store heat bank and mechanical heat recovery at Tunbridge Wells. A wood burning stove is also being installed to the living room. At Croydon we are installing a solar gain heat pump, PV to the roof and underfloor heating internally to the ground floor.

Progress of the works at Croydon can be viewed via a blog at http://retrofit-croydon.blogspot.com

Back to top