Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

Ahead of Aardman in Concert at Leicester`s De Montfort Hall Leicester the venue commissioned SKB or Syston Knitting Banksy to render various well known Aardman Stop Motion Animation heroes as bollard toppers in her own unique and creative style. The toppers will welcome the audience to the show which is a fun celebration of the animation studios work shown on a screen and accompanied by a live orchestra. Among the knitted heroes we see Chaz & Morph famous for their mischievous exploits alongside the late great Tony Heart on Heartbeat and later SMart etc, there is also Fluffles Gromits "Girlfriend" from a mater of Loaf and Death, next along we find the sheep from Mossy Bottom Shaun The Sheep (here seen in his A Close Shave jumper, next up the evil "Chicken" Feathers Mc Grawl and probably the most famous Plasticine duo (fon`t tell morph & chaz) Wallace & Gromit who round up a cracking collection of stop motion heroes loved by thousands worldwide.  

  Look Up !, Look Out !, The Monsters are back for Halloween invading Leicester`s buildings and bringing monstrous fun from Tentacle Terry to Slick Jagger and all manners of larger than life characters they are invading from 22nd - 31st October 2026. My film features the crazy crew on and around various Leicester landmarks from the Clock Tower to the Highcross Shopping Centre and even the newly refurbished and reopened Jewry Wall Museum, how many will you spot when you Visit Leicester this spooky season ?. The return of Leicesters Monsters is and event by BID Leicester, Leicester Catgedrsl and Leicester City Council with support from many Leicester business.

  Mughal Miniatures: The Awakening is a vibrant dance and music production by the Sonia Sabri Company . During the show, four performers start inside a large, ornate frame, bringing traditional Indian and Persian Mughal miniature paintings to life. We join a feisty Mughal Queen , her servant, a court musician, and a court dancer, tired of being confined to the restrictive social roles and frames (literally). They break out into the contemporary world, expressing empowerment and discovery through dance and music. This performance was filmed at the Art Reach Journeys Festival 2026 in Leicester's Haymarket Shopping Centre .

Great Central Railway held their Autumn Steam Gala, Featuring four days of intensive timetabled engine movement along the line I took a trip to Rothley station to see the various arrivals and departures over the course of the Friday afternoon and early evening. From goods trains to double header express trains and even a cheeky diesel loco there was something for everyone. We begin at Leicester North but it's not long before we find ourselves arriving at the picturesque Rothley Station kept immaculately by a dedicated group of volunteers and station staff some of whom we see throughout the film. So take a step back in time (no TARDIS required) and witness the lost era of steam at one of Leicester and Leicestershire`s great attractions the ‪GCR‬ another great reason to ‪Visit Leicester.

  The 1st Newbold Verdon Scout troop hold their annual gala bringing the village together for a day of fun and games. We begin with the Ibstock Scout band leading a parade through the village ending at the Primary school on Dragon Lane . We see the band entering the showground next to a steam roller before they are dismissed and the scout leader opens the gala. Next we see the there and back railway giving rides followed by fun with inflatables and Sumo suits . Nearby (but not too close !) there`s axe throwing and we see the steam roller from earlier letting off steam. Next up the Dogs (and owners) of the village take part in a Fun Dog Show with prizes for various categories being presented by Local MP Dr Luke Evans (CON). A Classic car show line up includes various cars including a soft top Morris Minor and Scooter with a herd of alpacas watching the events unfold around them. Back to the showground and the horticultural tent sees competition for longest carrot and mos...

The Victory Show returned to Foxlands Farm in Cosby for the annual wartime event that brings history to life. We start with a runway battle (new for 2026) before heading onto the showground where various vehicles are on display. Back on the runway, the beautiful chrome Happenstance shines in the Leicestershire sun, meanwhile an American tank display is captured in canvas by artist TJ Durham in his unique style. The instantly recognisable Spitfire is seen on another display before we switch to the soldiers and large tanks leaving the battlefield having variously won and lost the demonstration (dependent on the side they were playing!). In the woods, a lady fishes for her dinner in a small stream before two soldiers stationed in a trench track a plane flying by. We end with a song from the Market Harborough Ukulele Band as the credits roll. Look out for a companion film taking a closer look at the aircraft of the event coming soon on this channel. 

 

  The first Go Skate Day was held at St Margaret`s Pastures Skate Park on 21st June 2026, sponsored by Graff HQ, Magictoast and AEL (Alex Electrical LTD) the event gave Skateboarders, Scooter Riders and BMX Riders a chance to use the skate-park, compete in competitions to win prizes supplied by the sponsors. The event welcomed riders of all abilities and ages with plenty going on throughout the skate-park and food to keep the energy up provided by a BBQ. The organisers aim for the event to become a yearly gathering and judging by the success of this initial meeting this is highly likely.

  Down by the riverside, there’s all sorts going on at Leicester’s riverside festival , in the heart of the city, a weekend bursting with music, food, arts, family fun, and vibrant waterside activity. Starting at Bede Park , where a Ferris wheel turns, giving riders a fun overview of the festival site, and along the mile-long straight. A right turn along the western boulevard past some balloons sees a busy street lined with traders and filled with visitors enjoying the atmosphere. We pass dancers heading to one of multiple performance stages and stalls offering GIANT SAUSAGES . Action on the water next as the ever-popular Dragon Boats line up to race under the bridges to the beat of a drum. In Castle Gardens , we meet performers from the House of Circus running a circus skills workshop for people of all ages. Nearby, a beautiful dress covered in flowers celebrates a bloom theme. Back to the riverside, and we see Paddle Plus offering the chance to 'have a go' in various wa...

  A street art collaboration between Leicester's Graffwerk and Global Street Art to promote the Netflix documentary Untold UK Jamie Vardy . On a wall alongside the Haymarket Bus Station in Leicester , a large artwork has been unveiled featuring former Leicester City Football Club legend Jamie Vardy in the form of an action figure with various shenanigans and accessories, including an energy drink, a broken corner flag, and a football. The Vardy figure is seen cupping his hands behind his ears, a pose he is known for doing on the pitch to fans in the stands. The work itself is a promotion for the Netflix documentary Untold UK, telling the story of Jamie’s career highlights, and As Seen On Netflix is written large on the packaging. Untold UK Jamie Vardy os available to watch now on Netflix.

  Join Ziggy the Astronaut as he goes on a Planet Parade around the city of Leicester . The Planet Parade turns Leicester into a walkable solar system with planets at various locations created by around 250 schoolchildren and artists. Each planet is represented by bold artworks installed at various Leicester locations from the Highcross and Haymarket shopping centres to the Cathedral , Jewry Wall Museum , and Leicester Museum on New Walk . We first join Ziggy as he enters the Highcross, where he finds Mercury represented, and so begins his mission across space and Leicester to find all the planets. His mission was filmed over several months between 30th March and 31st May and took in many of Leicester’s known locations and landmarks. After floating around the city, Ziggy finds his zig-zaggy way to the centre of the Solar System , finding the Sun at the base of the iconic rocket tower at the National Space Centre .

  Once Upon a Time in Leicester ...  It is a period of nostalgia. Galactic travellers and sci-fi fans from across the East Midlands gather at the @LeicesterMuseums Art Gallery on the historic New Walk . In an upstairs gallery, a legendary collection has been unveiled. MAY THE TOYS BE WITH YOU showcases the rare artefacts of a bygone era, the plastic heroes and star ships that have fuelled the imaginations of countless generations. As fans marvel at pristine action figures and vintage cinema posters from across the epic space saga, they rediscover the magic of a galaxy far, far away , ensuring that the Force remains strong in the heart of the city of Leicester. Come with me as I explore this exhibition and rekindle memories of epic garden battles, where the suburban borders became forest moons and the sandpit became a vast desert world race track for Podracing under twin suns. As far as local links to this intergalactic Toy Story, we find the Palitoy factory in Coalvil...

  The Old Town Festival returned to Leicester with something for everyone from across time. Turns out you don't need a TARDIS to travel through time; you can do it at the Leicester Old Town Festival. Starting our journey through time with an Anglo-Saxon ship , Brendan the Bold , which, although seaworthy, is on the dry land of Jubilee Square. On deck, we see a lady weaving a traditional fishing net. Next up, we see the ​⁠‪@ VikingsofMiddleEngland ‬ demonstrating the often brutal combat techniques used in the era (these people are trained professional re-enactors; please do not attempt to copy). Moving forward in time, we follow ‪@lordthomasgreysregimentoff6873‬ ( Lord Thomas Grey’s Regiment of Foot ) marching past BBC Radio Leicester and Leicestershire’s oldest building , the Guildhall , through to the ​⁠ Where, after being dismissed, things take a turn for the fantastical with Dragons! outside the ​⁠‪@kriiivisitorcenter1485‬. The sound of bells signals the arrival of Leicester...

To celebrate the return of the #ArtimisII mission to Earth, Syston artist SKB ( Syston Knitting Banksy ) teamed up with Aardman Animations Wallace & Gromit to create a special topper. This topper features the duo and their famous red rocket, which they used to visit the Moon to try moon cheese —a scene from their short film, A Grand Day Out .

Join me for a #Viasakhi celebration at Fosse Park in Leicestershire .  We kick off the video with the Jodi Dancers adding a burst of colour to the Food Central area. ​⁠  The group features a Dhol drummer who plays alongside the dancers, as they show off the dance moves that have been passed down through generations of performers, all celebrating the #Vaisakhi festival.  The group soon welcomes everyone, no matter their age, to join in the dance as the music fills the shopping centre.

All aboard for Easter Bank Holiday fun in miniature as we take a look at the Abbey Park Miniature Railway. This small-gauge railway, run by the Leicester Society of Model Engineers, holds open days for the public to take rides behind various miniature locomotives on Easter Bank Holiday Monday. This mainly consisted of various diesels, but they also have a selection of visiting steam engines on occasion too. We begin with the engines already out on the track, pulling excited passengers around the loops, through tunnels, and past various trees and bluebell woodland. At the small ticket office/signal box, a sign reads “ Miniature Railway Open, fare £1.50” with a queue of eager visitors waiting to ride the rails. Once on the busy platform, the carriages soon fill up, and the trains leave the station displaying more power than their small size would have you believe. Various engines are seen shunting about in the railway, including one based on an American Santa Fe loco and a green and y...

A visit to the Mountsorrel And Rothley Community Heritage Center which includes the Mountsorrel Railway Museum for one of their March Steam Days . We begin the visit with an overview of the site with various steam powered locomotives moving about 'Pops' the traction engine is nearest to the camera and in the back of shot we see two steam engines moving about. Down beside the rails now and the imposing structure of the 1834 lift bridge can be seen (more on that later in the film). Panning left we see a green tank engine set for a goods run and past the sheds to the narrow gauge quarry bottom railway where a small grey engine visiting from the Statfold Barn railway is busy giving visitors a ride around the looped track. Next we see the green engine moving a goods train back and forth before number 2 turns a corner on another loop of the Quarry Bottom track loop. Then it's "All Aboard" from Quarry Bottom Halt for an eventful ride which ends in a rather dramat...

  In the second of my films from the ​⁠ Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations : we joined the parade through the streets of Leicester . Starting in Jubilee Square , the costumes are handed out. The ever-popular panda costumes go early, and the dragons are lined up ready to process along the high street. The cheeky lion leads the parade onto the high street, accompanied by the Chinese God of Wealth and a crowd of people. The lion stops at various Leicester businesses along the way to wish them a Happy and Prosperous New Year and causes some mischief along the way too. Passing the newly updated entrance to the ​⁠ shopping centre, the lion takes an imaginary pee on a parked police car. The rest of the parade, featuring dragons and other characters as well as zodiac signs , passes by on the way to the Clock Tower , where we see the new dragon for 2026 with lights and beautiful decorations. To town hall square now, where crowds have gathered to see a number of performers, including...