Leeds Pub Owners Recreate Viral Flood Photo 8 Years Later

Key Takeaways

• Two brewery owners, Mr. Holt and Mr. Kelly, attempted to save picnic benches from floating away in a river during a flood
• They decided to let the benches go and instead had a beer in the river, which was captured in a photo that went viral
• The incident led to interviews on Brazilian radio and a feature on the TV show Have I Got News for You
• The owners were praised for their calm and humorous response to the situation, with one person even calling them the "finest Yorkshiremen that ever existed"

Introduction to the Incident
The story of two brewery owners, Mr. Holt and Mr. Kelly, wading into a flooded river to try and save picnic benches from floating away is a remarkable one. The incident took place at the Bridge Inn, a pub located alongside the River Aire. As the waters rose, the owners sprang into action, attempting to rescue the floating benches. However, as they soon realized, the current was too strong, and they were at risk of being swept away themselves. Despite this, they managed to maintain a sense of humor and calm, which would eventually lead to their photo being shared widely and earning them a spot on a popular TV show.

The Decision to Let Go
As Mr. Holt recounts, "I called John and said, ‘put some old jeans on, we need to wade out and stop these benches floating away down the river’." However, it soon became apparent that the task was beyond their control. The current was too strong, and they were forced to abandon their efforts. Instead of trying to fight the floodwaters, they decided to let the benches go and focus on their own safety. As Mr. Holt puts it, "We were already wet so let’s just get a beer and sit down." This decision would prove to be a turning point in the incident, as it was at this moment that someone took a photo of them from the bridge, which would eventually go viral.

The Viral Photo
The photo of Mr. Holt and Mr. Kelly sitting in the river, having a beer, was a moment that captured the imagination of many. As Mr. Holt remembers, "someone took a photo of us from the bridge and the next thing we knew they became a sort of viral kind of thing." The image was shared widely, and soon the two brewery owners were in high demand. They were asked to do interviews on Brazilian radio, and their story was even featured on the popular TV show Have I Got News for You. The incident had brought them a level of fame, and they were happy to humorously play along.

Reaction and Praise
The reaction to the photo and the story of the two brewery owners was overwhelmingly positive. Many people praised their calm and humorous response to the situation, with one person even calling them the "finest Yorkshiremen that ever existed." Although Mr. Kelly is not originally from Yorkshire, he was happy to accept the compliment. As he says, "Dickie Bird, God rest his soul, said we were the finest Yorkshiremen that ever existed. I’m not from Yorkshire. I took it anyway." The incident had brought them a level of recognition, and they were happy to bask in the praise.

Conclusion
The story of Mr. Holt and Mr. Kelly is a heartwarming one, showcasing their ability to remain calm and humorous in the face of adversity. As they sat in the river, having a beer, they unknowingly created a moment that would be shared with many. The incident serves as a reminder that even in difficult situations, a sense of humor and calm can go a long way. As the two brewery owners look back on the incident, they can’t help but smile at the absurdity of it all. The photo of them sitting in the river, having a beer, has become a lasting image, one that will be remembered for years to come.