Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

On the 3rd March 2019 Leicester`s historic corn exchange was transformed by 3D mapped projection and live performance to tell the story of suffragette Alice Hawkins who made many speeches from the very location the show took place. My film shows highlights of the show to give a taster of the spectacular visuals and images of the event can be found below.

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.

In my first film of 2019 I take a trip to the Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester for a look at the LMTA (Leicester Museums Technology Association) Steam Toys In Action event. In the 29th year of this popular event various toys and engines could be seen in steam including Formula Mamod (a steam powered slot car style race track featuring miniature steam roller racers)  Also in steam was the narrow gauge railway giving rides pulled by Leonard the Steam engine. My film starts by taking a look at a traction engine with traditional gas lamp headlights before following Leonard as he`s taken for the last run of the day and the boiler is cleared.

I was asked to design a poster for the Newbold Verdon Village Library Quiz night. The poster follows a modern branding style that I`ve created for the Library as it evolves into a future as a community hub for the village with regular groups meeting there for events that range from film nights to Knitting & Ukelele groups.   

In December 2018 the serene gardens of #Leicester #Cathedral where bathed in lights of many colors, a large 4 meter wide inflatable globe glowing with intense colors and projected imagery sits in the lawns with the imposing cathedral its backdrop, this is the world of LightWeight. A unique and interactive art installation this sphere is the centerpiece of Christmas in the Gardens a specially commissioned twilight show to enchant people of all ages. Video and animation effects spin magically around the surface of the globe with portraits of visitors captured by a camera booth on-site turned into a flock angels or animated characters. Christmas in the Gardens is brought to you by BID Leicester And St Martins House it is produced by Big Difference Company.

The Barwell Knutty Knitters are back with another of their fantastic YarnBombs, This time it`s fantastically festive with a #Christmas theme. There`s knitted baubles on the tree and even the roadside bollards are covered, everything from Angels to Choirboys, Wise Men to Reindeer every conceivable form can be seen in this cavalcade of Christmas characters. Not a single piece of street furniture has been forgotten as these Knutty Knitters have woven their magic around every lamppost and pole, even the trees got a new Christmas jumper to keep out those harsh winter winds. So get out those knitting needles Santa the Barwell Knutty Knitters are in town and they are bringing the festive fun to Barwell.

On the 28th November the Duke And Duchess of Cambridge visited the King Power Stadium home of Leicester City Football Club to pay respects to the clubs late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who died alongside two members of his staff, the pilot and a passenger in a helicopter crash after a Premier League game. The Royal couple arrived in the city by train before arriving at the stadium where they laid a tribute and HRH Prince William made a speech to invited guests. The couple then proceed to the University Of Leicester where they met representatives of Leicester and Leicestershire charities close to Khun Vichai`s heart. My film shows the royal couple arrive at the crash site as they go to pay their respects before being lead into the stadium to make a speech, we later see them departing the area headed for the university.

In the second of my films documenting Christmas in Leicester I take a look at events in the center around the clock tower and town hall square. We start by the clock tower where we see the tree in all its glory equaling and maybe surpassing the famous clock in height and grandeur. A fairy shows us her magical levitating globe, before we visit town hall square where we meet once again the snow queen and her neon birds navigating the town hall steps. The beautiful and elegant  Christmas Belles are nearby balancing on stilts and meeting visitors whilst the instantly recognizable (to many a Leicester resident) Seasons Greetings lights flash behind fixed to the Queen Anne style town hall.  

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas ?, The dream came true on 22nd November in St Peters Square in Leicester`s Highcross Shopping Center as it came to life with a White Christmas event featuring Dancing Snowflakes, Russian Princesses, Giant Swans an Animatronic Reindeer and even a Snow Dragon. My film features highlights of the event and aims to get you in the festive spirit. it's #ChristmasInLeicester