Here at Ye Olde Bell and Steelyard, we are a small team dedicated to providing our customers with good old fashioned service. Something that is easily said and not so often done in so many cases.
We invite you to share our home as honoured guests and want your visit to be relaxed and enjoyable, and we would like you to visit us time and time again.
The business is owned by Siggi and Adrian, Alex has recently joined us and completes the kitchen team. He brings a wealth of experience and he and Siggi have already revised the menu retaining all that is fabulous about British Pub Food but also adding some wonderful Hungarian, Italian and Eastern European flair. In addition we have Charlotte supporting the chefs with Heather and Jade running the bar on Wednesdays and week-ends.
Siggi hails from Germany; her home town is Celle in Lower Saxony. She has lived in the Ipswich area for 30 years, so just about qualifies as a local. She has a son, Sven who is a member of HM Forces and gets to spend time with us whenever he can. Which, obviously.is never often enough!
Siggi was apprenticed into the Hotel and catering industry and has extensive experience in all areas of the business. She has also been a manager in the East of England Co-Op with responsibility for the forecourts in Ipswich and Felixstowe. She loves animals and the pub is blessed with two dogs, Bubble and Schatzchen along with two cats - Lucy & Mutley.
Adrian spent much of his childhood on a farm in Ufford. When his father died, the family moved to Woodbridge, his mum eventually remarried to Peter Derby who owned Everson's Boatyard. So, the rest of Adrian's formative years were spent on the river - what a great childhood! Adrian was educated locally and on leaving school was a Customs Officer at Ipswich and then joined the Regular Army. Since leaving the Army, Adrian has worked extensively in the Motor Industry both in manufacturing and retail for Renault, Nissan and latterly BMW. Adrian has specialised in developing customer relations, particularly in the corporate sector, and his time working with premium brands has been exceptionally valuable. Adrian has three children who are grown up and now making their own way in life... Nikki who is married to Mike and living in Birmingham with their lovely daughter Caitlin, and Andy who is married to Vikki, they have three beautiful daughters, Kara Sophie & Elana.
Adrian used to sneak into Ye Olde Bell & Steelyard as an errant youth, and has always loved this fantastic old building. Once he came of age it was his 'local'. Siggi and Adrian did their 'courting' at this pub, so it has a special place in their hearts. When they decided to go into the hospitality business, it could only been at 'Ye Olde Bell & Steelyard', no other pub would do. Their first application was unsuccessful, but 5 years on, they are honoured to have stewardship of this wonderful building.
They intend to restore it to it's former glory and regain it's reputation as 'The place to meet in Woodbridge'.
Siggi and Adrian are also active members of the Harley Davidson Owners Group, and served on the committee of the local Chapter as editor and membership officer. Both have their own 'hogs' which now spend rather too much time in the garage instead of being out on the road! They are delighted that their friends from the Fenlanders Chapter visit regularly as the bikes prove to be of great interest to the customers.