Tweedie Mann
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About
Tweedie Helen Mann was the landlady of The Bull Inn from 1968 to 1976, and like many of the previous custodians, she was a larger-than-life figure.
Before taking on the role at The Bull, Tweedie had worked as the manageress at The Woodthorpe Hotel in Blackpool, which must have provided quite the education for a young woman from Bawdsey. Her experience in the lively atmosphere of Blackpool no doubt helped her bring a vibrant energy to The Bull when she moved back to Woodbridge.
The 1960s and 1970s were another prosperous period for both The Bull and the town of Woodbridge, largely due to the presence of several military bases in the area. Tweedie became well-known for employing bubbly and charismatic female staff, many of whom were accustomed to entertaining the UK and US servicemen who frequently visited The Bull. One of her signature acts of entertainment? Dancing on the bar, which became a favourite spectacle for patrons.
Tweedie's contributions to The Bull went beyond just the entertainment, however. She is credited with the creation of bar food and the iconic “Bull Burger”, which became particularly popular with the US airmen and soldiers who frequented the pub. The Bull Burger quickly became a local institution.
In 1975, Tweedie married local farmer Alfred Darvell, further cementing her place in the Woodbridge community.
Tweedie also holds a unique distinction among past landlords and landladies—she is the only one with a film credit on IMDb. In the 1974 film Akenfield, which gently explores rural Suffolk life in the 1970s, Tweedie made her cameo. Her connection to the film remains a delightful piece of history for The Bull.
Tweedie passed away peacefully at Grove Court on September 20, 2018, aged 83. She was a beloved figure in the Woodbridge community and is fondly missed. Her family continues to visit The Bull, and it’s always a pleasure to hear the stories they share about her vibrant life and legacy.
Before taking on the role at The Bull, Tweedie had worked as the manageress at The Woodthorpe Hotel in Blackpool, which must have provided quite the education for a young woman from Bawdsey. Her experience in the lively atmosphere of Blackpool no doubt helped her bring a vibrant energy to The Bull when she moved back to Woodbridge.
The 1960s and 1970s were another prosperous period for both The Bull and the town of Woodbridge, largely due to the presence of several military bases in the area. Tweedie became well-known for employing bubbly and charismatic female staff, many of whom were accustomed to entertaining the UK and US servicemen who frequently visited The Bull. One of her signature acts of entertainment? Dancing on the bar, which became a favourite spectacle for patrons.
Tweedie's contributions to The Bull went beyond just the entertainment, however. She is credited with the creation of bar food and the iconic “Bull Burger”, which became particularly popular with the US airmen and soldiers who frequented the pub. The Bull Burger quickly became a local institution.
In 1975, Tweedie married local farmer Alfred Darvell, further cementing her place in the Woodbridge community.
Tweedie also holds a unique distinction among past landlords and landladies—she is the only one with a film credit on IMDb. In the 1974 film Akenfield, which gently explores rural Suffolk life in the 1970s, Tweedie made her cameo. Her connection to the film remains a delightful piece of history for The Bull.
Tweedie passed away peacefully at Grove Court on September 20, 2018, aged 83. She was a beloved figure in the Woodbridge community and is fondly missed. Her family continues to visit The Bull, and it’s always a pleasure to hear the stories they share about her vibrant life and legacy.
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