Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  The Annual HinckleyBID⁩ Motor Show came to the town on 20th September, and with 2026, the show reached the milestone of its 15th anniversary. Welcoming over 700 vehicles, the show was a petrol heads’ paradise with much-loved cars, bikes, scooters, and more from across the decades lining Castle Street, Market Place, and more, including Argents Mead Park and the town’s leisure centre. We begin as the scooters arrive with the distinctive sound of their two-stroke engines evoking the days of the Mods, etc. Next, we see the wide selection of cars parked along the streets, including a line of very colourful VW Beatles with their mini duplicates ready to inspire the next generation of enthusiasts. Next, it’s through the gates into Argents Mead Park, or maybe that should be Jurassic Park as a 4x4 from the franchise is on display (dinosaurs not included!). As the band strike up Waterloo by ABBA in the bandstand, we take a look at a variety of big American cars from the 50s era and beyo...

 

After two years the Cicle Classic, Oakham - Melton cycle race returned to the farm tracks and dusty roads of Leicestershire and Rutland. My film starts in Oakham where we see the riders preparing for the race before speeding out of the town and onto the narrow and tight route reminiscent of european classics such as the Paris - Roubaix.

The Leicester Cyclocross League visits the beautiful grounds of Misterton Hall for round 6 of the season. Hosted by Welland Valley Cycling Club and Mrs Craven of Misterton Hall round 6 of the league takes place in the grounds, featuring wooded climbs, a boating lake and open stretches with various gradients the course offers a challenge for riders of all ages and abilities. My film starts with the pre-race preparation of the bikes in the pits before moving to the start line for the beginning of the race. During the race we see the riders taking on the various parts of the course from decorative bridges over streams to tall wooded areas with steep gradients, Misterton Hall itself provides a grand backdrop as the cyclists pass the boating lake before we return to the finish line to see the last lap bell rung and the winners cross the line. As the credits roll we see the bikes being washed down ready for their next race.

I visited the Warwickshire town of Atherstone for stage 3 of the AJ Bell Women's Tour, the first ever individual time trial stage. We begin the day at the service and warm up area where we see riders and technicians getting themselves and the bikes ready. Action switches to the start line where the riders are counted down, before tackling the 16 km/10 mile course.  Minutes later the first riders are crossing the finish line and the winner is announced to cheering crowds in the market square

6km of traffic-free 'open streets` await those taking part in Let`s Ride Leicester a free event with a focus on cycling. A route taking in The King Power Stadium, Leicester Castle, Leicester Cathedral and Jubilee Square features entertainment at various points from Jugglers to Drummers, Sambando, BMX Skills and more so there is something for everyone. Look out in the video for a man playing a Saxophone whilst being taken around the route in an adapted bike. My film follows the cyclists around the route and looks at some of the various stops around it.

I took a trip to #Nuneaton to see the start of stage 4 of the Tour of Britain. My film begins at the race village in Nuneaton town center where the various competing teams ready their bikes for the race and we see Connor Swift, Chris Froome and other pro-riders head to the start line for rider sign on. After the race begins we see the riders leave the town and head out on to the stage. We then pick up the action further on in #Kenilworth where the large castle provides a dramatic backdrop to the action. The stage finished in Royal Leamington Spa (not featured) and is part of the Tour Of Britain a countrywide cycle race held annually in various locations around Britain.

Pro cyclists in the annual Leicester Castle Classic race around the streets of Leicester once again on a route taking in the home of Leicester City FC (King Power stadium), the Leicester Castle over cobbles and around the Mile Straight the route makes up a 80km race in total. My film begins in the race village where the various teams and riders warm up before heading to the start line to begin the race, we then see the riders travel the course and negotiate the difficult cobbles around the castle where the bells of the church of St Mary de Castro ring out as the race passes. The race continues around the various twists and turns of the course before a dramatic collision on the final stretch which sees several riders injured, after expert treatment from the medical teams on hand and a slight delay the riders made their way to the podium where winner Gabriel Cullaigh collected his prize to the cheers of the gathered crowd.