Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

Leicester was transformed for 4 evenings (3rd - 6th March 2022) as Light Up Leicester returned to the City streets bigger and better than ever with a number of artworks each with their own style placed around the city.  Starting in the Cities Cultural Quarter we see the giant figures of "Fantastic Planet" by Parer Studio towering over visitors in Orton Square, alongside and next up in St George`s Churchyard are the Alien Pods of "The Mycelium Network" by LuminARTi pulsing and communicating with each other in the trees. Moving onto Humberstone Gate four "trees" have taken root and change colour to the sound of chimes in "Luminosi Trees" by Sound Intervention. To Leicester`s Clock Tower now which has been transformed by Studio Vertigo`s "Our Beating Heart", into a scene that wouldn't look out of place on BBC`s Strictly Come Dancing with two glittering revolving heart shaped mirror balls casting ballroom style points of light onto ...

In March 2022 the Culture and Tourism department of Blaby District Council "Visit Blaby" created a Light Projection Show at the Sowden Group-owned Blaby Hall. Featuring " A one of a kind story celebrating our local area and attractions told through magical imagery and music." The event brought together various groups, events and attractions into a "highlights reel" of all the area has to offer. Look out for The Victory Show, Glenfield Tunnel and more all previously featured here on this very channel. The projection also used 3D mapping to give the illusion of Blaby house itself being built brick by brick and a high speed trip through the Glenfield Tunnel in a view not dissimilar to those seen by train drivers during it`s time as a working underground railway line. As well as the light show, there were lantern decorating competitions for children and stalls selling local gifts, produce, food and drink. The event was funded by The European Regional Develo...

In February 2022 fans of Leicester City Football Club where invited to the Clubs Megastore to see the FA Cup and Community Shield trophies, up close and have their photos taken with them. I visited the Leicester City Foxes Megastore at the King Power stadium to see the FA Cup and Community Shield, at an event for fans organised by the club. My film begins with scenes fans will know from match days featuring various views of the stadium, before heading into the Megastore to see the trophies themselves. The well known FA Cup team photo featuring Kasper Schmeichel holding the trophy aloft at Wembley provides the background to the two pieces of silverware.

The Chinese New Year Procession sees a traditional Chinese dragon parade along the streets of Leicester taking in many city center landmarks. The dragon, traditional dragon dancers and drums accompanied by people holding boards featuring the animals of the chinese zodiac lead by the Tiger made their way from Jubilee Square along high street and through the old town marking the start of the New Year of the Water Tiger. Water Tiger was very apt as a light shower became heavier by the clock tower, regardless the procession continued round into the Leicester market area and into the Lanes old town area and past Leicester Cathedral which at the time of writing is undergoing a big restoration. We end back in Jubilee Square. The Chinese New Year events are organised by Cosmopolitan Arts and Amanda Leandro.

The Leicester Cyclocross League visits the beautiful grounds of Misterton Hall for round 6 of the season. Hosted by Welland Valley Cycling Club and Mrs Craven of Misterton Hall round 6 of the league takes place in the grounds, featuring wooded climbs, a boating lake and open stretches with various gradients the course offers a challenge for riders of all ages and abilities. My film starts with the pre-race preparation of the bikes in the pits before moving to the start line for the beginning of the race. During the race we see the riders taking on the various parts of the course from decorative bridges over streams to tall wooded areas with steep gradients, Misterton Hall itself provides a grand backdrop as the cyclists pass the boating lake before we return to the finish line to see the last lap bell rung and the winners cross the line. As the credits roll we see the bikes being washed down ready for their next race.

The 5th round of the Leicestershire Cyclocross League season took place at a very muddy Cattows Farm two days into 2022. The event featured a course with several obstacles including a spiral and a dismount among others. My film starts as the bikes are prepared for the race in a muddy pit area. It's over to the start line next where after a blast from a whistle we see the competitors tackle the course. Later we hear the last lap bell ring before the chequered flag is waved to signal the end of the race and the racers learn their timings.

Newbold Verdon held its first ever Christmas Yarnbomb in 2021 featuring creations on a theme of christmas to decorate the village individuals, churches and groups came together to give all parts of the village a festive makeover. Primary School pupils created hundreds of multicoloured pom poms which where tied to the railings of the school which looked great bobbing in the breeze. The girl guiding groups of the village created a spectacular display on the village green opposite the Library featuring knitted bunting and some googly eyed reindeer pom poms among other things. The village churches got involved too with both methodist and baptist churches creating a selection of bells snowflakes and more, even the village sign and christmas tree didn't escape each getting its own selection of knitted creations. Events Together Newbold Verdon, organisers of the event, wish to thank all who contributed both individually and also those who organised the various parts of the displays at the...

The Cosby Crafters return to the streets of Cosby with a Christmas Yarnbomb. Building on the success of the groups Summer Yarnbomb the Christmas event sees the village decorated with festive creations from various creative individuals. The film begins with a postbox topper and knitted sign and continues with a look at knitted trees and and a full nativity scene including life sized characters and even knitted ducks.

  The Archers Festive Tractor Run makes its way through the Leicestershire village of Cosby. For a 3rd year over 200 tractors and Dustbin (Refuse) trucks made their way along a route that takes in several Leicestershire villages and raises funds for local charities (Leicestershire MS Therapy Centre and The Air Ambulance) decorated in festive lights and decorations ranging from inflatable santa's through to life sized red cows and fully decorated Christmas trees the vehicles sounded their horns to great the gathered crowds lining the route, some horns even played versions of popular music !.

On Friday 17th December a jolly fellow full of festive cheer enlisted the help of his friends at Rotary Club of Market Bosworth and visited the Leicestershire village of Newbold Verdon, The jolly fellow on his sleigh was none other than Father christmas or "Santa Claus". The magical man in the bright red suit was carried along in his snow white sleigh by a vintage tractor and two of his long serving reindeer, waving to village residents young and old with beaming smiles as bright as a thousand twinkling christmas lights. In this short film we see santa arrive in the village before following a route through the streets and on to main street before he sets off into the night to prepare for the big day.