Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

Join me for some riparian entertainment at The Riverside Festival which returned to Leicester`s Mile straight and surrounding areas for its 25th year in 2024. New for 24 was Dragon Boat racing with teams from NHS UHL, Arriva, Market Bosworth and Highfield Rangers among those competing and raising money for Prost-Aid. To the rhythmic beat of the drum the rowers sped their narrow dragon fronted boats between The Newark Bridge and Bridge 111A which acted as the finish line, who won ?, stay after the credits to find out !. After the races we head to the Bede Park area where there are water sports to try and boat trips along the river. Heading onto the Riverside De Montfort University campus we find a giant watering can celebrating 25 years of the festival (created by Kate Carton Events). Coming through !, Sambando perform for crowds outside the red bricks of the Queens Building before a unexpected interruption by the 'New for 24' land train offering trips around the festival. Follo...

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.

6km of traffic-free 'open streets` await those taking part in Let`s Ride Leicester a free event with a focus on cycling. A route taking in The King Power Stadium, Leicester Castle, Leicester Cathedral and Jubilee Square features entertainment at various points from Jugglers to Drummers, Sambando, BMX Skills and more so there is something for everyone. Look out in the video for a man playing a Saxophone whilst being taken around the route in an adapted bike. My film follows the cyclists around the route and looks at some of the various stops around it.

Now in its 22nd year the Leicester Riverside Festival took place over the weekend of 1st-2nd June, featuring narrow boats traveling along the river, water sports, street food and a wide program of music acts the festival is fun for the whole family. My film features a look around the festival and features the Bill Bailey band on their 'Jazz Boat' an act so synonymous with the festival it would seem strange not to hear their sound in the air during the festival. The rain on the Sunday that I visited did nothing to stop visitors enjoying a day by the riverside.    

In 2017 the Riverside Festival celebrates its 20th year as one of the city`s biggest free festivals. My film aims to capture the atmosphere of the festival which takes place along the Mile Straight, Bede Park, Western Boulevard and Castle Gardens. The festival features live music, world food, boat trips and more. The River Soar was once one of Britain's most profitable commercial navigation routes and today plays host to a multitude of wildlife, water sports clubs and Premier League Champions (2016) Leicester City FC which can all be found along its banks.