Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

The Abbey Pumping Station Steam Days are a chance for people of all ages to take a trip into our industrial and domestic heritage from street organs to chips "Fried the old way" and toys from Christmases past this festive look into the past is sure to bring the memories flooding back quicker than any beam engine could ever pump it back. We begin with Leonard (Lenny) the loco letting off some steam before we hear the distinctive sound of a street organ playing well known songs , whilst the organ plays on we see a long queue forming at the Chip Van which fries chips in the "old Style" in oil giving them a crispy coating. As the organ continues to play outside we head into the building to see the toy displays with model boats and is that Nessie on holiday ?. Next up the spectacular twists turns and trains of Charlie`s railway where TGV trains run through Knapford station alongside Thomas and his friends . Next we take a look at the Storm Pig Magical Flying S...

As part of the National Galleries "Coming Home" project well known portraits are "loaned" to the place most linked to the person featured, in this case King Richard III whose remains where famously found under a car park in the city of Leicester in 2012. The (surprisingly small) late 16th century portrait is hung at the New Walk Museum in the city as the centerpiece of an exhibition exploring the story of the King, the discovery of his remains and what these reveal about his life and death. The exhibition in partnership with Leicester Cathedral and The King Richard Visitor Center runs until September 22nd 2019 and is well worth a visit to see this historic portrait in person.