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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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To mark B Corp month, Edinburgh-based organic Lind & Lime Gin has announced it has achieved the globally recognised B Corp accreditation, solidifying its position as a leader in ethical business practices within the spirits industry.


Founded in 2018, Lind & Lime joins only 19 gin distilleries worldwide that hold the title, becoming only the fourth Scottish gin distillery to attain the certification, alongside Botanist Gin, North Uist and The House of Botanicals.

Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Lind & Lime said:

“The B Corp certification felt crucial for us. It validates our commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices but perhaps more importantly, it provides us with a credible and recognised framework to measure our social and environmental impact.. ‘Being a B Corp aligns with our core values and mission, serving as a guiding principle for everything we do".

"It's not just about being a profitable business; it's about using our platform to drive meaningful change and contribute to a better future for all.”


The accreditation bolsters Lind & Lime's ongoing commitment to sustainability and ethical standards, with the independent distillery always adhering to organic practices, becoming certified organic in April 2023.


Samuel Travers, Head of Gin at Lind & Lime added:

“B Corp certification has a significant impact on our day-to-day operations by embedding sustainability and social responsibility into every aspect of our business. It influences decision-making processes, from sourcing materials to interacting with stakeholders."

"It guides our choices in selecting suppliers who share our values of ethical sourcing and responsible production. ‘It also affects our internal policies and practices, such as employee well-being initiatives and waste management strategies. Overall, being a B Corp shapes our organisational culture, driving us to continually improve and innovate in ways that benefit both people and the planet.”


B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.


The company behind Lind & Lime, Muckle Brig, was founded by Edinburgh locals Ian Stirling and Paddy Fletcher, with the intention of restoring the rich history of distilling in Leith. The team are also behind the UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith which opened in October 2023, designed by fellow B Corp, Threesixty Architecture.


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