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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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Sports teams from Dundee’s two universities will go head-to-head in a series of matches and challenges as they battle to take home the Varsity cup.


The University of Dundee, current holders of the Tay Varsity Challenge Trophy, will take on Abertay University, on March 20. More than 600 student athletes will compete in 24 sporting events at various venues across the city, and it is hoped that many more will join the crowds in support.


Spectators armed with foam fingers, bang-bang sticks and red or blue t-shirts will be encouraged to cheer on their team – and everyone is welcome from current and former students, to members of the public.


Sporting events range from football and rugby to tennis and archery, and are all free to attend. There will also be cheerleading and dance performances and the day will be topped off with an awards ceremony and free pizza.


The University of Dundee Sports Union President, Alice Saville said,

“Varsity is always a day packed full of fun, whether you are participating or a spectator. I’m looking forward to seeing both universities from Dundee compete and making some lasting memories.”

This is the 15th time the sporting event has taken place and it is the biggest amateur sporting event in the city’s calendar. As the smaller university, Abertay has called themselves the ‘underdog’, but say that has not dampened their enthusiasm to win, adding that ‘everyone loves and underdog success story’.


Michael Devlin, Sports Development Officer at Abertay University, said,

“Varsity’s the highlight of the student calendar, marking the exciting culmination of both league and cup seasons."

“Anticipation runs high as we eagerly await the potential for thrilling upsets throughout the event. We're looking forward to a bit of friendly rivalry and hoping to snatch the trophy from Dundee!”


Sports include football, rugby and hockey games, all of which will be held at Riverside between 12pm and 5pm. Basketball, netball, volleyball, tennis and badminton matches will also take place, all at the University of Dundee’s Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE), off Hawkhill, between 12pm and 6pm.


An archery contest will also take place at ISE at 10am and there will be swimming galas between 2pm and 4pm at ISE’s swimming pool.


Athletics events will be held at the Regional Performance Centre at Caird Park, Dundee, from 1pm to 4pm.

Pool matches will start at 1pm at Shotz Pool and Snooker Dundee, Douglas Street, and golf will take place from 11am at Scotscraig Golf Club, in Tayport.


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