Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  On fathers day 2025 my Dad said he would be interested in visiting the Stapleford Miniature Railway near Melton Mobray in Leicestershire. The event was listed as a day of Models and Miniatures with Mini Traction Engines and Steam Rollers alongside the usual miniature railway running. We begin the film as a green locomotive leaves the station taking various passengers on a near 2 mile trip around the site. The one fifth scale SMR Railway runs special events throughout the year, back to the film now and we meet the mini traction engines and steam rollers as they travel through the event passing Glynns Supper Whippy ice cream van and various other local craft and food stalls. Back to the miniature steam engines now and the small but mighty NYC Niagara is coaled up and made ready for another trip. We then see Niagara and a green engine waiting in steam at the station. Now it really gets exiting as we board a diesel locomotive for an onboard trip taking in tunnels, lakes and beauti...

  The RAF Town Show a recruitment event for the Royal Air Force landed in Leicesters Humberstone Gate with information available to visitors regarding all sorts of facets of RAF life. With serving personnel visitors got first hand advice on perusing a career in the Royal Air Force, The showstopper of the event was a 1:1 scale facsimile of a Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft which stood at one end of the event and gave people the chance to climb aboard and sit in a recreated cockpit, something that was very popular with visitors of all ages. The film begins at the Leicester Clock Tower and we quickly make our way to the event on Humberstone gate with the Lewis`s tower another Leicester landmark marking the start of the display area. Passing along the line of inflatable gazebos we see the various parts of the RAF represented from Transport and logistics to catering and reserves, the RAF Motorcycling team are even represented. We soon come to the Showstopper facsimile of the Typhoon Figh...

  Joining the Leicester Riverside Festival for the first time in 2025 was a recreation of the Siege Of Leicester, in 1645 the Siege of Leicester took place during the English Civil War where Royalist forces, led by Prince Rupert, besieged and sacked the town. In 2025 the The Militias Of Anglia recreated scenes form the period on the streets in and around Leicester Castle and the Newarke on which it actually took place 380 years ago. We open at Leicester castle where the Re-enactors have created a living history encampment teaching visitors about the period, the living conditions of those serving and accurate costumes they are wearing. Next we see the colours raised as the siege begins, following the march beat of the drum out of Leicester Castle, under Turret Gateway and onto the Newarke where various demonstrations of techniques used in the siege are performed for the gathered crowds including very loud shots from period accurate firearms (handled by trained and certified re-enac...

In the second of my films from the event join me for a for a different kind of film — a continuous, unedited walk through the Leicester Riverside Festival 2025. As we walk along a busy Western Boulevard you'll see the sights, hear the sounds, and feel the spirit of one of Leicester's biggest free festivals. This film steps away from my usual editing style to offer a raw, immersive experience. As we walk through the heart of the festival, you’ll see the atmosphere unfold in real time — from live music and street food stalls to families, crafts and Art On The River you'll witness the vibrant crowd and characters that bring this annual event to life. Shot handheld and in one take, this video aims to reflect the authentic mood of the day, letting the festival speak for itself through movement, sound, and the people who make it special. 

  Leicesters biggest free festival returned to the Riverside over the weekend of Saturday 7th and 8th June 2025 with all the usual fun on the water itself there was also Dragon Boat racing on the Sunday and lots to see, Eat and do at the various locations around the mile straight. We begin the film at the Hammock Garden a relaxing space on the De Montfort University Campus before moving to the water to see Paddle Plus giving visitors a chance to have a go at various water based activities. A little further along and Narrowboat "Jumble" is offering boat rides along the canal. The action builds next as we see the Dragon Boat races taking place and visitors on Sunbeam II have got a prime position for the race. The race begins and even a Swan is joining in and he`s out in front too !. Now onto Leicester Castle where the Militia of Anglia have set up a living history camp recreating the Siege of Leicester. 

  The Sportster Sickness motorcycle group run their annual "The Big One" ride out through the village of Newbold Verdon in Leicestershire. Hundreds of Harley Davidson bikes take part in one of the biggest meet ups in the country this being it`s 10th anniversary. The route taking in several Leicestershire villages includes Desford, Newbold Verdon and others and ends at the Mallory Park Race Circuit. The unmistakable sound of the engines is heard as the enter the village and pass the Jubilee Pub and continue on past the Liberteas coffeehouse waved on and cheered by villagers as they sound their horns and wave.

  A look at the Mini-Elephants part of Stomp Round Leicester by ‪LOROS Hospice‬ and Wild In Art on display ‪Fosse Park‬. Featuring designs by Greg Davis, Stephen Graham, Hannah Walters, and more, dazzling designs by celebs and artists including Rockett St George, Lucy Tiffny, Charlie Clapham, and a very fashionable creation by BBC EMT’s own ‪@Anne Davis The Elephants where on display outside ‪Next one of Stomp Round Leicester`s main partners and caught the attention of shoppers as they passed a moment like the Elephants they will never forget maybe !. The film begins at a busy Food Central with shoppers stopping to see the Elephants on the hard to miss bright yellow Loros stand. As we view the display of colourful creations Loros Events Lead Andrew Ward tells us all about the trail through the city from 14th July until 21st September 2025. We see the various Elephants there`s a smartly dressed Task Master inspired one by Greg Davis and Actor, Director Stephen Graham with a Polloc...

  A relaxed look at some of the Riparian activities taking place around the Brinklow Swing Bridge on the Oxford Canal. They say life moves at a different pace on the canals and waterways and so this film takes in the serene scene along a stretch of the Oxford canal as ducks paddle among Narrow boats both new and old. We follow a single duck as he paddles his way through the idyllic scene passing boats without to much fanfare. At the boat yard a boat makes its way through the swing bridge and passes by and carries on it`s journey with a stately pace and amazing grace.

  The #Leicester Open Streets series of events comes to Jarvis Street and teams up with Visit Leicester, Ride Leicester, Active Leicester, Leicester City Council and Street Art Collective Graffwerk for a Street Art Jam. The film opens on the arches of the old Great Central Railway where artists are creating various works, the camera then pans left to reveal the Wheels For All area where people of all ages and abilities are able to try various pedal powered forms of transport. Moving into the Street Art Jam itself under the bridge and a custom 80`s themed tandem bike by Cyclone Works is blasting out tunes to create a fun atmosphere. Artists in the back of shot are up and down ladders creating art on the walls as people watch on and join in the fun. With activities for all ages at the jam we see staff from Graffwerk running an spray can up cycling, painting workshop popular especially with the younger visitors. Along the opposite side of the street more artists are creating work and...

  On BBC East Midlands Today a Weather Watcher photo from a viewer featured a spectacular bright red Poppy field noting its location as Witherley a small village in Leicestershire and only 20 mins drive from home one evening we set off to find and capture the stunning sight. As we arrived on the edge of the village the low hum of drones and sight of multiple parked cars told us we where close, sure enough through glimpses in the hedge we saw flashes of red colour, parking in an open gateway we where greeted by a spectacular carpet of bright red poppies stretching as far as our eyes could see. In the distance the village church spire could just be seen over the hedges and the birds where singing in the hedgerows and trees around us. Soon as the evening sun began to cast long shadows and back lit the flowers, bees moved buzzing between them and various smaller insects completed the scene. Overhead a plane makes a trail through a near cloudless sky as the warm graduations of sunset i...