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Shepherd Neame Teams Up With Pub Licensee To Support Whitstable Yacht



Independent family brewer 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 Sailing Yacht Cormorant will take part in the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts in Malta on Saturday (October 17), becoming the first yacht from Whitstable to take part in the prestigious 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.


Now in its 47th year, the race will start from Malta’s historic Grand Harbour, with the fleet setting off beneath the fortified walls of Valletta before racing out into the Mediterranean.


Affectionately known as ‘The Neppy’, The Old Neptune is one of the country’s most recognisable coastal pubs, thanks to its unique beachfront location. The logos of both the pub and Shepherd Neame’s Whitstable Bay range will be displayed on the yacht’s hull throughout the race.


The award-winning Whitstable Bay collection comprises Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Whitstable Bay Lager and Whitstable Bay 0.5% Pale Ale. Inspired by the seaside town just a few miles from Shepherd Neame’s historic Faversham Brewery, the range celebrates the character and heritage of the Kent coast.


Licensee of The Old Neptune, Darren Wilton, said:

“Pat is a local at The Old Neptune, and I’ve known him for more than 20 years - we even call him Captain Pat! 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 said:

“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!”

From Malta, the fleet heads north towards Sicily before passing through the Strait of Messina, a narrow stretch of water between Sicily and mainland Italy.


The yachts will then race around the volcanic island of Stromboli, along the northern coast of Sicily, and around the western islands of the course, before heading south past Pantelleria and Lampedusa.


The final stretch takes the boats back towards Malta and the finish line, covering approximately 606 nautical miles. The race attracts a diverse field of competitors, from some of the world’s fastest professional racing yachts to experienced amateur crews taking on a demanding offshore challenge. Conditions can include light winds, heavy seas and challenging currents, with crews spending long periods racing through the night. For some, completing the course takes several days at sea.


Patrick said:

“We started with an idea not just to sail a course, but to build a legacy. With the support of Shepherd Neame and The Old Neptune, that idea has become a reality.”

The race can be followed live on the Royal Malta Yacht Club and Rolex Middle Sea Race social media channels, with commentary in English.


Find out more here. 

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The Big Bamboo Agency has achieved its goal of raising £5,000 for former colleague and popular Harrogate businessman David Simister.


One of the district’s most well-respected figures, David suffered a life-changing stroke in March last year and now requires round-the-clock care as he battles a lengthy recovery process.


The funds will go towards the purchase of a specially adapted electric wheelchair which will enable him to spend more quality time outdoors with his family and two dogs, Sunny and Bear.


Having worked closely alongside the Harrogate-based Big Bamboo Agency, providing invaluable PR expertise, the team unanimously decided that David should be the focus of their fundraising efforts for 2024.


As well as hosting a series of special bake sales and raffles at their base in Windsor House, the Big Bamboo staff also organised Harrogate’s first ever Walk & Talk event where friends, colleagues and businesses turned out to trek the entire route of the Harrogate Ringway.


Sponsored by luxury and supercar financier Apollo Capital, the walk was joined by, among others, members of the Harrogate BID, Windsor House and Artus Digital. They were also joined along the way by David’s twin brother, Andrew Simister.


David’s wife, Julie Simister, comments:

“I am so very grateful for the hard work of everyone connected with this fundraising effort. It is absolutely amazing, and I can’t thank you enough."

“David will be so pleased and would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who kindly donated their time, energy and money to help him. It means so much to us all. I would like to put the money towards getting David get an electric wheelchair, adapted so he can control it himself, so he can get outside more, hopefully with me, Sunny and Bear.”


Nicola Stamford, owner and founder of the Big Bamboo Agency has known and been friends with David for the last 24 years. She says:

“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to do this for our good friend and former colleague, David Simister. The way the local business community has supported our fundraising campaign is testament to the love and support that he has within a region which he served so wonderfully.”

David worked his way up from working as a journalist with the Harrogate Advertiser and The Yorkshire Post to being PR Manager for Yorkshire Water, before joining forces with good friend Richard Chew to set up Different PR.


Appointed Chief Executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce in 2021, he was also a trustee of Harrogate Town FC Community Foundation and The Royal Hall Restoration Trust, as well as a member of Harrogate Hospital Radio for 31 years.


David, who also provided PR services for the likes of Harrogate International Festivals, Harrogate BID and Ashville College, served for four years on Harrogate Borough Council and four years on North Yorkshire Council.


Picture caption: Owner and founder of the Big Bamboo Agency, Nicola Stamford is pictured alongside David Simister who is facing a long recovery battle after suffering a stroke.

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