Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  The ‘Johnnie’ Johnson mural in Loughborough is a massive artwork celebrating one of the town’s most renowned sons, the legendary Air Vice Marshal James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson . Located at the junction of New King Street and Great Central Road, this dramatic piece honours the RAF Spitfire pilot Johnnie who shot down more enemy aircraft than any other Allied fighter pilot during World War II .

As Remembrance Day approaches and we remember all who have served in conflicts both historic and current, the Yarnbomb team in Cosby have pulled out all the stops to create a spectacular display in tribute to those brave people who fought for our freedoms. Featuring many Poppies and a banner reading "Lest We Forget" a postbox topper with a pair of well marched boots, perhaps the most spectacular part of the display is the knitted Spitfire plane flying past whilst releasing a trail of Poppies behind it.  We end with a skirt of poppies around the Cosby village sign beside the victory park and village hall. 

On the weekend of the 16th/17th July a rare Blue Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX came to Jubilee Square in Leicester. On a tour of the midlands highlighting the regions links to the famous aircraft it also promotes the RAF Museum Midlands who`s collection the Spitfire belongs too. The unique blue colour refers to it`s use as an unarmed reconnaissance aircraft and features a fully pressurised cockpit for high altitude missions. The event also featured a separate cockpit for visitors to climb into and experience what its like to pilot such an aircraft.

A village through time, Visitors to Desford in Leicestershire had no need for a blue police box or a modified delorean when the village traveled back to various time periods for the first Desford Heritage Festival. Streets and areas of the village where separated into "time zones" from medieval era though civil war, World Wars 1&2, victorian era and more, as visitors walked around the village they would come across wartime soldiers meeting with Tudor Queens and men on penny farthing bikes, Civil War sword fights took place at the side of the road, whilst a steam powered roller caused the most unlikeliest of traffic jams on the Manor Road !. the weekend also saw action in the skies with 6 tiger moth planes performing a fly past and with its links to the village a appearance by a spitfire and hurricane to bring the weekend to a close.

In 2021 after a years break The Victory Show returned to Foxlands Farm in Cosby Leicestershire. Featuring Historical Societies, re-enactments, Vintage Vehicles and Aircraft, history came alive for visitors to the popular annual show. We start our visit to the event with a marching band who lead us into the 100 acre site before a flypast and landing by vintage aircraft. As the action moves back to down to earth we see various vehicles in motion before a masterclass in reversing a tank. To the woods then where we are advised to wear our helmets and to beware of enemy shells. In a German camp they are playing chess whilst listening to a gramophone when a soldier brings news of a possible attack, Over in the allied trenches they are ready for action as they make a push toward enemy lines. We end on a letter (or maybe a report of the days events ?) being typed up, before tents are packed away for another year.