Jensen Motors Factory Flag
In 2021, Ulric Woodhams, Curator of the Jensen Museum, opened a large suitcase, which was jam-packed with memorabilia acquired from the Jensen factory.
These souvenirs from the Jensen factory had been assembled in 1976 by Head of Maintenance, George Parker. Amongst the contents was a large flag, which had been flown from the Jensen factory at Kelvin Way.
Jensen Motors Factory Flag | Background To The Flag
George Parker had been an employee at Jensen Motors since the 1950s. He moved across from the Carters Green works, to the new Jensen Motors factory at Kelvin Way at the beginning of the 1960s.
By this time Parker held the position of Head of Maintenance, and with his team of men under him, Parker could repair or replace just about anything he was asked to do. Duties could be as simple as repairing broken lighting, to undertaking major repairs to the heating systems.
George Parker and members of his maintenance team at the Kelvin Way factory 1960s.
In 1976, when the factory was closing down, Parker was asked to move out a lot of the larger equipment, and to get everything ready for the main auction that was going to take place.
Much of this work was undertaken just by Parker, along with, John Treen the Works Engineer. After the auction, and with the factory now deserted, it would be left to Parker to lock everything up, and to hand over the keys to the Receiver.
It was at this point that Parker, along with his step-son, Peter Bradshaw, had a last opportunity to walk around the deserted factory, and to collect up any souvenirs from the abandoned building. Bradshaw takes up the story,
“After the factory closed on the Friday, George asked me to go back to the factory with him on the Monday after the closure.
When we arrived, the various assembly areas looked like a plague of locusts had descended, they were more or less just a shell. Walking around the main office block, the offices were largely stripped out of furnishings, and contents of desks and cabinets simply dumped on the floor.
George and myself sifted through the piles on the floor looking for suitable mementos. In some of the offices, and the hall ways, there were still framed photographs of Jensen cars, many from various motor shows. George carefully took these down and propped them against a wall ready to take away. Then there was the main factory flag.
From memory I think the Jensen Motors flag was either mounted on a flag pole near the gate house or possibly above the canteen block, I can’t remember for sure. Anyway the two of us pulled it down.
I was surprised how large it was as we pulled it down. George carefully folded it up. Having retrieved a whole host of souvenirs, we brought everything out to George’s car, and loaded them up. Afterwards George locked up the doors, and the main gate, and we drove home.
Back at home, George had a very large suitcase, used for holidays. Everything retrieved from the factory was carefully placed in the suitcase, and that is the last I saw of it until George died in 1992.
After his death in 1992, I was helping my mum sort out his belongings. In the attic was the large suitcase, which I had helped George pack with the factory souvenirs in 1976.
Once removed from the attic, I opened the suit case, and my mind was transported back to 1976 when George and myself removed the items from the deserted factory.”
The large suitcase, originally used by Parker for holidays, and then filled with souvenirs from the factory, and placed in the attic.
On opening the suitcase, it was the flag that was on top, carefully folded in place.
Some of the many contents from the suitcase, which included various framed photographs, photograph albums, exhibition car plates, and a variety of badges and car parts.
In 2021, the Jensen Museum acquired the suitcase and contents.
Jensen Motors Factory Flag | Formal Description Of The Flag
Jensen Motors factory flag
Large double-sided flag in typical light blue coloured flag cloth. To the centre a large winged logo bearing the name ‘JENSEN’.
The winged motif in a white silk like cloth which has been heavy machine sewn to the flag cloth with black thread.
Machine sewn to the white motif is a black line about ½ inch from the edge, all the way around.
To the centre the letters making up the name ‘JENSEN’ each heavily machine sewn in place with black thread.
No maker name present. To the flag pole side of the flag, the reinforced header. At the top the rope attaching ring. To the base the rope halyard. Size: 98” x 50”.
Condition report: The flag showing much service use, with some fraying and possible period repair to the fly end. Some slight fading and discolouration through age and use present. The flag free from moth or related damage.
Jensen Motors Factory Flag
ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: So far the Museum has not been able to find a photograph of the flag in use at the Kelvin Way factory. We would very much like to hear from anyone that might have a photograph of the factory with the flag in use.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Peter Bradshaw, former assembly line worker, Jensen Motors 1971 – 1976 | Philip Campion, former Project Engineer, Jensen Motors.
COPYRIGHTS: Jensen Museum
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you have any additional information about this feature, please contact us at archive@jensenmuseum.org or telephone on: +1694-781354
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