Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  In Newbold Verdon as Remembrance Day approached in 2025 the Newbold Knitseys got to work creating a fitting tribute in the form of a postbox topper in the village. Taking the form of a wreath of Poppies with the silhouette of a solider stood beside a fallen comrades grave in mourning with further poppies around the base (including a purple poppy for animals who served) the topper is a focal point for villagers to remember the fallen and the sacrifice they made for our freedoms.  

 For it`s 20th show the Victory Show returned to Foxlands Farm in Cosby Leicestershire featuring hundreds of reenactment displays from various theatres of conflict the even takes place over a 100 acre site and gives visitors a chance to fully immerse themselves in the 1940's era. The event has expanded over the years to include a full airshow programme alongside the static displays and has seen displays from the Red Arrows and even the Vulcan over the years. New for 2025 was an area made to simulate conflicts in colder areas of the world, which gave a unique contrast to the otherwise mild August weather on the Sunday that I visited. My film starts in this snow covered environment before a marching band passes the spectacular handmade cut outs of ‪@standingwithgiants3599‬ who had two moving displays at the event (see separate film coming soon). Next we're asked "Have you seen Dave ?" who it appears is a carrier pigeon sat on a lamppost above the sign !. Communicatio...

Over two days in May 3rd - 4th the village of Desford travelled back to the 1940's with a festival of the 40's, with Vintage Cars (both civilian and Military) and themed areas across the village the wartime spirit was evident throughout. The event by the Desford Heritage group was timed to be the villages marking of 80 Year anniversary of #veday a celebration nationwide of Victory In Europe. Our Film begins with the Battlepipes rendition of Scotland the brave which cleverly is combined with the theme to Dads Army before a outdoor service in which Abide With Me is sung as Poppies are dropped from the tower of St Martin`s Church. The pipes can still be heard in the background as Sir Winston Churchill himself makes an appearance with his classic car parked in front of the church a moment so important it`s recorded by a press photographer from the 40's !. Back on the church green and visitors are given informative talks about communication both secret and otherwise in the er...

To mark VE Day 75 I recorded my grandma Gwen Spencer (85) recounting her memories of Leicester and it`s people on a historic day for the country and the world. Please turn on Subtitles to read along with the audio. transcript below  Hello, I`m here with Gwen Spencer who`s going to tell us her memories of VE Day in Leicester. Hello I`m Gwen, I lived at home in Braunstone, Just off the Hallam Crescent, We heard the news at home, I was 11 and my sister Pauline was 12, Mum and Dad said "Come on we'll go to the Clock Tower, We went on the tram, we joined the circle around the clock tower, holding onto the shoulders of the people in front. There was a mixture of people, many in uniform, Many in their best clothes. We caught the tram back to the terminus, known as the Braunstone and walked down the road with lights on in the house windows, Noise, Cheering, We listened to Churchill again on the radio. A few days later we had a Street Party with food the Mum`s made. Dad playe...

The annual Victory Show in the Leicestershire village of Cosby sees numerous re-enactment society's coming together at foxlands farm to create living history displays and answer visitors questions about the period. The show also includes an airshow, a battle re-enactment and more. My film and images aim to give an overview of the event and features a selection of the displays and for first time a Parachute drop from the back of a DC3 Dakota among other things.