Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  The annual 1st Newbold Verdon Scout Gala takes place in the village this year celebrating a very special 70 years of Scouting in the village. We start the film as a steam roller makes its way toward the event at the primary school before a parade lead by a marching band arrives including a very special car, a Rolls Royce which was presented at a Jamboree in 1929 to mark 21 years of Scouting to Baden Powell who was honoured with a number of gifts including a Baronetcy by King George V, BP took the title of Lord Baden Powell of Gilwell, other gifts included a set of Braces and from the 50.000 Scouts of the World attending, a very special gift of a Rolls Royce Car and a touring Caravan. We follow the band and parade through the village and arrive at the gala itself on the playing field at the primary school. The gala is officially declared open and the fun begins, first up is the there and back miniature railway before we see a chance to try out more active pursuits like rock climb...

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...

  The Ratby Scarecrow festival returns to the Leicestershire village with a theme of Myths, Legends & Fairytales. The residents of the village got creative on the theme with a wide selection of entries featuring everything from Dragons to the Loch Ness Monster and even the Tooth Fairy and her band of helpers. The event organised by Rooting For Ratby and supported by Bluebells Of Ratby and Anderson Briggs Estate Agents aimed to raise funds for inclusive play equipment for Ferndale Park in the village.

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.

A look at some of the entries in the first Ratby Scarecrow Festival which took place over the weekend of October 15th and 16th. The festival, organised by The Ratby Community Group in partnership with The Ratby Library, aimed to raise funds for the Library and tasked village residents with creating a scarecrow based on the theme of Storybooks. The village rose to the occasion with creations as diverse as Wallace and Gromit, The Little Mermaid and Toy Story (with a very realistic Army Man). Join me on a tour of the village and see how many you can spot.

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...

A twist on the traditional scarecrow festival format saw the residents and businesses of countesthorpe in Leicestershire decorate their car boots garage doors and house fronts to create The Boot Route. The trail spread around the village and featured all sorts of creative scenes from giant Minnie Mouse ears (complete with signature red and white polkadot bow) to The Wizard Of Oz, the famous yellow brick road winding from the boot out onto the driveway below. Some entries had chosen to create the Mad Hatters Tea Party both in car boots and on the front of their houses, the local messy church group had turned a garage door into a shoal of hand decorated fish creating an aquarium that wouldn't be out of place in a sea life center. My film shows a selection of the entries on the trail which included over 21 different scenes and was organised by a dedicated team of volunteers and supported by local businesses and Visit Blaby District.

  Fosse Foxes Art Trail brings life-size fiberglass models of foxes to the Fosse Park shopping center in Blaby District. Designs by local artists, designers, community groups and tourist attractions are brought to life using various materials and placed at locations around the center including the newly completed (at publication) extension. The designs of the foxes are a result of a public competition run by the center which received over 100 entries on the theme of "What Leicester means to you". Look out for foxes in the colours of Leicester City Football Club and Tigers RFC alongside themes of Votes For Women and charities from Menphys to one fox in full cycling gear ready to ride around the Everards Meadows. for more info on the trail see the #FosseFoxes website at https://fossepark.co.uk/foxes