Fate intervened when Ben Johnson, then aged 14, walked through the door of the local pub and met the man who was to become his friend, the much missed and much lauded, Richard Bailey.  

The friendship grew as did Ben’s interest and involvement in the role of a pub landlord, eventually leading to Ben taking over what was to be Richard’s last pub the Rose and Crown, Great Waltham.

Ben has also had, through his family, invaluable experience in the building trade and evidence of this can be seen in the improvements already made to both the interior and exterior décor. However, it is Ben’s love of food and the winning trio of Chefs Pino Mastracci, James Hollamby and Stephan Jarret that combine to make dining at the Rose and Crown such a memorable experience.