Shannon Durrant joins The Sandboy in Bawsey in bid to put pub ‘at the heart of the community’

An award-winning new head of hospitality has been named at The Sandboy and Bawsey Country Park.

Shannon Durrant, who previously ran The Rose and Crown in Harpley, has taken on the reins across the estate.

Staff at the Rose and Crown in Harpley announced their closure in late January, citing “unprecedented” financial difficulties.

Now, Mr Durrant has said: “I am incredibly excited to work with the estate’s owner, Stephen at this unique place.

“We have recently introduced a Sunday carvery at The Sandboy, using the very best Norfolk produce and it has proved very popular already.

“Using our wonderful local butchers and suppliers, we offer a selection of different meats each week, plus a vegetarian option, alongside all the fantastic trimmings one would expect with a traditional Sunday lunch."

He added: "We have plans afoot to expand our food and drink offering over the coming months, to help put this beautiful pub at the heart of the local community.”

The Sandboy was built in 1908 to serve the needs of the railway station near the former sand quarry, which is now the 180-acre Bawsey Country Park.

Stephen Bacon, company director at Bawsey, said: “At The Sandboy, we specialise in providing a venue for families to come together to celebrate birthdays and weddings, which gives beautiful photos for wedding albums with some taking photos over the road with the great lake and country park as a showstopping backdrop.

“We also provide a respectful place for families and friends to host wakes for a loved one, and we are very proud and honoured to be of service in this capacity also.

“As we look to expand our offerings, which now includes the Sunday carvery, we hope to establish ourselves at the place to be in the local area, providing a stunning location for everyone to enjoy."

Mr Durrant added: “We are at the start of this journey to develop and improve both of these special places for our visitors, working together with the existing wonderful team and increasing our attractions and customer experience at the county park.

“It is a very exciting time.”