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Star spangled burgers as Yorkshire pub goes Obama barmy
HE will probably never get to know about it but a Yorkshire pub is planning a huge party to celebrate the inauguration of America's first black president.
The Queens Head in Burley in Wharfedale, is decked out in American flags, and a special menu has been created in his honour.
Chef Tim Yulden will be dishing up a supersize Obama burger as well as Hawaiian burgers and pizza – in recognition of Mr Obama having spent part of his childhood in Hawaii – hot chocolate brownies and chilli hot dogs.
Live television pictures from the White House will be beamed onto a giant screen and The Wharfedale Saxophone Quartet including Bob Clarke, originally from San Francisco, will provide the music.
Landlord John Proctor said: ''The end of January is a fairly depressing time of the year so it seemed a good opportunity for a bit of a thrash.
"This has been one of the most compelling presidential contests we have ever witnessed and I like American politics so I thought it would be worthwhile putting something on.
"Tuesday, January 20, will be a memorable date in history and we wanted to make sure we were in on the celebrations. It's the event that everyone is talking about – the inauguration of the first ever African-American president."
"We have a few American customers - Bob Clarke and his son Brian to name a couple - and it will be nice to celebrate with them.
"We have tried to create an authentic US atmosphere. Obviously we are not the US, but there are close ties with one or two customers in the village having originated from America, and there is also the nearby US base above Harrogate – Menwith Hill.
"This is not a political night or anything like that – it's simply a celebration of change with an evening out to brighten up the dark January nights."
Bob Clarke, 67, who has lived for more than 30 years in the village, said: "I think it's incredible and will give everyone a chance to participate in what is going on. I would have liked to have been there for the ceremony but this will be the next best thing."
General manager, Hendrik Le Roux, said last year the Yorkshire Tourist Board had invited Mr Obama to the county and sent him a hamper full of goodies including a bottle of Timothy Taylor's famous Landlord ale.
He said: "We will have Landlord on all week and will keep it on while he is president. As this is going to be an historic event we thought we would do what we could to bring people in and get rid of the January blues.
"Everyone is going to be talking about this inauguration for years to come and ask where you were when the 44th US president was inaugurated. The whole world will be watching and we wanted to be part of it."
Not everyone was quite so keen, though. Brittany Smith, an 18-year-old trainee hairdresser, said: ''I might come along with my parents but to be honest I am not that bothered about it.
The evening will kick off just before 5pm on Tuesday with a live broadcast of the inauguration ceremony.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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