Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

Join the Leicester Morris Men as they perform a variety of traditional Morris Dances in the car park of the Blue Bell Inn, Desford. The sun was setting as the Morris men took their places and the musicians struck up one of many tunes handed down through generations, did you know ? traditionally in the Morris all the dancing steps, the movements and music were passed down from father to son within each village or Morris side. First we see a hanky dance then followed by a stick dance. The Leicester Morris Men are predominantly a Cotswolds Morris side, which means they dance traditional dances collected from the Cotswolds villages. In 1989 they also started to perform traditional Border Morris dances from the Welsh – English border villages. In 2023 the group proudly celebrate 70 years of Morris dancing in and around Leicester.

The Knife Angel (also known as National Monument Against Violence and aggression) by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre, reaches Nuneaton on it`s tour of the country. Formed from 100,000 knives collected anonymously in amnesties the artwork stands at 27 ft tall and aims to educate people on the harmful effect of violent behavior on their communities. My film shows the artwork towering over the marketplace in the town and shining in the evening sunset.

The Riverside Festival returned to Leicesters mile straight over the weekend of 3rd and 4th June 2023. Featuring riparian entertainment of many forms, from demonstrations of water rescue from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service, to boat rides and live performances, my film takes a look at various parts of the festival which takes in the Castle Gardens mile straight and Bede Park. We begin with activities on the water before moving to bede park with its hammock relaxation zones rock climbing and other activities, the fun then moves to Castle Gardens where Enter Edem invite us to the Ugly Bugs Wingding and we get a preview of what to expect at Leicester Textile Festival later in the year.

Four years in the making the 9ft by 5ft Desford Tapestry was devised by Janet O'Donovan, designed by Steph Quigley and created by a dedicated group of 22 embroiderers of all ages from 20's to 80 plus. The panels of the work depict the villages history alongside key events and buildings. On the 3rd June 2023 the community came together to unveil the result of their hard work at a launch event held in the Church Center, my film takes a look at the tapestry and its various panels as it`s revealed to the public. The work will move to its final location in the village library where a visit to see it in person is recommended.