Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  PART 1 The Journeys Festival returns to its roots in 2024 as a celebration of diversity and exploring the journeys people make in their lives. My two part highlights film takes a look at events throughout the city, stating in part one at Jubilee Square where we are greeted by Sambando (as featured previously on this channel) who chase away the rain clouds with their toe tapping beats. Next up we see the amazing artwork of the Desibus with art on wheels. A fun and bonkers performance of Toast by Pif Paf theatre is next in which we are taken around the world by the Guild Of Toasters, using song, Dance and folk tales passed trough generations.   

Created for the villages Open Gardens event on July 13th 2024 a new postbox topper appeared in Newbold Verdon. Created by the Newbold Verdon Knitsys the topper features a scarecrow/gardener tending to his colourful knitted blooms in his garden. Look closely and you`ll also see a friendly mouse riding on the brim of his hat and a cheeky Robin keeping him company on his shoulder.  The topper is close to the popular village tea room Liberteas which makes it handy should the scarecrow fancy a "Cup 'O' Tea and a Slice 'O' Cake".

Postbox Topper #1: Barlestone In Barlestone, the postbox topper for Easter is a delightful scene celebrating the spirit of the holiday. A cavalcade of Easter animals adorns the top of the postbox, creating a lively and colourful display. At the centre of this festive gathering stands a funny bunny, adorned with ribbons and eggs, serving as the focal point of the scene. Surrounding the central bunny are an array of other Easter animals, each adding their own charm to the tableau. There are fluffy yellow chicks peeping around, busy bunnies hopping joyfully, The topper captures the essence of Easter, with its symbols of renewal and the joys of spring. This topper is sure to bring smiles to the faces of those who pass by, spreading Easter cheer throughout the community of Barlestone. Postbox Topper #2: Newbold Verdon In Newbold Verdon, the postbox topper for Easter exudes simplicity and charm. Two adorable bunny rabbits with soft, white fur and long floppy ears take centre stage atop t...

  Every year a small patch of ancient woodland alongside J21 of the M1 and a short walk from Fosse Shopping Park is carpeted in a sea of Blue Bluebell flowers creating a natural oasis in the middle of a busy built up urban environment.

  Easter in Newbold verdon (Leicestershire) sees crosses covered in springtime flowers displayed at the churches in the village marking the new life this period of the year brings.  Featured are the methodist and Baptist churches.

Signs of spring appear on a sunny day in February as Snowdrops, Daffodils and Crocus fill the church grounds of St Luke`s in the village of Newton Harcourt Leicestershire. Come with me through a white gate and enter a space often associated with loss but instead bursting with life in all its forms as springtime brings color and light.

On 27th October 2018, Leicester City played West Ham United in the Premier League. A helicopter crash shortly after take-off from the King Power Stadium, claimed the lives 5 people on board including club owner and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. In the following days people came to the stadium to pay their respects to a man held in high regard in the city and footballing world leaving tributes and signing a book of condolence. My film documents a visit to see the tributes and lay my own, it is published as a tribute to a great man who was instrumental in taking the club I have supported since birth to places we only could dream of such as winning the Premier League and more. "If wealth be measured in kindness we will be forever in your debt." R.I.P Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

As Desford In Bloom coincided with the RAF100 celebration in 2018 and with the town playing a big part in the manufacture of various aircraft through the years, the village decided to theme its blooms and decorations accordingly. Two handmade wooden planes compliment the patriotic color planting and a YarnBomb created and organised by the Knit and natter group who meet in the village. Look out for knitted and toy planes having a dogfight under the trees and flowers planted to resemble the famous circular RAF design.

The village of Desford was transformed in 2017 for Desford in Bloom and #YarnBomb . Desford in Bloom founded by Ewan Lindsay in 2016 comprises of 4 groups; The Committee, The Watering Team, The Planting Team and the Community. The village was entered into the East Midlands in Bloom Competition in the Small Town Category and is sponsored by nearby Tropical Birdland from which it uses as its theme in 2017. The #YarnBomb element of the event has been created by dedicated knitters from local groups and compliments the "In Bloom" event. The village is dotted with cutout images of tropical birds painted by local school children and groups continuing the tropical bird theme. My film aims to bring you a taste of the event but a visit is highly recommended, further information can be found at www.desfordinbloom.co.uk

Every year around April/May a small area of ancient woodland between Leicester`s Fosse park and Junction 21 of the M1 Motorway bursts into colorful life as a bed of beautiful bluebells form a swaying carpet of color below the trees. The birds sing from branches high as sunlight shines though the leaves, creating a magical oasis of calm just meters away from busy traffic filled roads. As I take in the scene the motorists pass by unaware of the beauty nearby as they rush form place to place. My film gives an idea of the relaxing and tranquil scene.

Join me as I explore the Churchyard of the picturesque Church Of St Luke near the Leicestershire town of Wistow which springs into life with a riot of Snowdrops and Crocus flowers carpeting the ground. My Live Periscope replay here  https://www.periscope.tv/Leigh984/1YqKDXleYDQKV