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.  

To those in battle, And those who fell, To all who served their country well, We will remember them. I visited the Poppies: Wave installation by Paul Cummins Artist & Tom Piper Designer. Presented by 14-18 NOW the poppies where initially conceived as part of the piece Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the tower of London but where on display at CWGC Memorial Plymouth as part of #PoppiesTour the work sees the Poppies cascade down the steps of the memorial and are intended to prompt a new dialog around the legacy of the First World War.

PLEASE BE AWARE THIS VIDEO CONTAINS A NUMBER OF LOUD BANGS AND EXPLOSIONS. Held annually at Foxlands farm in the Leicestershire village of Cosby The Victory Show is a 3 day event held over a 100 acre site featuring re-enactments of various theaters and era`s of war between 1939-45 from Infantry to Airman the show creates a window through time back to the 1940`s. The show has something for all including 1940`s vehicles a large army encampment featuring over 50 re-enactment groups and the spectacular battlefield featuring tanks and more. My film features highlights of the event, the battlefield, A DC-3 aircraft inside and out plus a recreation of the wintry scenes of the Siege of Bastogne in Belgium part of the larger battle of the bulge in December 1944.

The Annual Victory Show takes place at Foxlands farm in Cosby and features hundreds of historic wartime vehicles and aircraft recreating the atmosphere of the wartime era. My short film features some of the highlights of the show and the people who bring the sights and sounds of the time period to life. We start in the woodland trenches before moving to the showground itself where various large vehicles are seen heading out to the battlefield and passing time playing cards and musical instruments. images follow

The Victory Show 2011 Marching On To Victory is the second of my films from this years Victory Show 2011 in cosby and features the large scale battle re-enactments that the event has become known for. The film is shot in a rough style and monochrome to evoke the old newsreels of the era The event runs over two days in september and features historical societies, re-enactments and vehicles from various eras to find out more visit http://www.thevictoryshow.co.uk

In the first of my videos from this years Victory Show in Cosby I focus on the Aircraft display that runs concurrently with the main show and features period aircraft including a Hurricane R4118, Piper L-4 Cub 57-H and more taking to the sky and performing for the crowds. unfortunately due to bad weather the vulcan was unable to attend this year. The event runs over two days and features historical societies, re-enactments and vehicles from various eras to find out more visit http://www.thevictoryshow.co.uk

Spotlight: Cosby Victory Show, Todays spotlight video was filmed at 2007`s victory show in Cosby. The Victory Show (which was unfortunately cancelled this year) is a two day extravaganza of 1940`s wartime re-enactments. The event features a battle scene played out in a field with explosives and true to period vehicles putting on a display that wouldnt look out of place in a hollywood action movie !. My video is in the style of the old cinema newsreels of this period & features action from the battle scene. Let`s hope this event will return next year bigger and better than ever before !