The Shepherd Neame Tour

Every year, in mid-July, Hartley Morris Men attend our annual Shepherd Neame Tour. Shepherd Neame, based in Faversham, Kent is Britain’s oldest brewer and each tour is based over a weekend where the unwritten rule is that the side dance, sing and imbibe a few beers, but only at hostelries owned and run by Shepherd Neame; Sheps pubs!

The tour is long established and one of the highlights of Hartley’s programme.

Phil Burkin and Graham Thomas sorted out the first Sheps tour, which took place on 16th July 1976. The side stayed at the Three Mariners in Oare, and were there annually for three years until Jock, the Landlord, departed.

The side then moved, in July 1979, to The Sun in West Street, Faversham and were based there until 2002, when Shepherd Neame made changes to the pub. During those 23 years the side had to 'break in' several Landlords and the tours continued to be arranged by Phil Burkin, supported by Hairy Dave Hughesman.

In 2001 Phil felt that having arranged the tours for 25 years that he’d done his share and so passed the baton for the organisation to Johnny Drake, ably supported by Tony Eaton.

After a period of time Tony had to give the role up and so John asked Phil to again get involved and support him.

2003 saw the tour move to The Gate Inn, Marshside and The Gate Inn remained the base for the annual tour until 2023, 20 years in total. Again, during that time there were several changes of Landlord.

Around 2018 Pete Burren took over the role from John, with Phil continuing to support. Andy Blockley has now began to support Pete, to allow Phil some well-earned rest.

In 2024 a new era began with the tour being based at The Golden Lion, Broad Oak.

That’s now 49 years to date (at the time of writing), although two tours were lost to the Covid Lockdown. So 47 tours completed to date – and long may it last.

Many thanks go to Phil Burkin for providing the information to enable us to record the details of the event.