Shepherd Neame has teamed up with the licensee of its Whitstable pub, The Old Neptune, to support a local yacht competing in an international race.
The team from Sailing Yacht Cormorant enjoy a beer at The Old Neptune, with licensee Darren Wilton and Shepherd Neame’s Rose Davis
The Sailing Yacht Cormorant will take part in the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts in Malta tomorrow (October 17). It will be the first yacht from Whitstable to take part in the event.
Sponsored jointly by Shepherd Neame and The Old Neptune’s licensee Darren Wilton, the yacht will be sailed by Whitstable resident Patrick Maflin, director and founder of Marine Accounts, and members of his team. The Kent accountancy firm has spent the last 12 years working with crews, captains, and marine professionals across the yachting industry.
“Pat is a local at The Old Neptune, and I’ve known him for more than 20 years — we even call him Captain Pat!” said Darren Wilton,licensee of The Old Neptune. “When he mentioned he would be showcasing Whitstable with a yacht race around Sicily, I really wanted the pub to get involved. You can’t showcase Whitstable without The Old Neptune! We hope the team do well and come back here for a celebratory drink after the race.”
Shepherd Neame head of brands, Rose Davis, added: “We are thrilled to support the team aboard the Sailing Yacht Cormorant for this historic race. As the first yacht from Whitstable to take on the Rolex Middle Sea Race, this is a fantastic opportunity to introduce our Whitstable Bay range, The Old Neptune pub, and everything else the seaside town has to offer, to an international audience. We wish the team the best of luck!”
