Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

In July 2022, Leicester's St. George’s Tower, affectionately known as the Blue Tower, underwent a monumental transformation, becoming home to Europe's tallest street art. Crafted by a team of local artists, Wing Lo, Richard Peacock, Leigh Drummond, with assistance from Ben Edwards & Kiene Tuckley – the mural stands an impressive 82 meters tall, covering a whopping 717.5 square meters. This masterpiece nearly doubles the UK's previous record and ranks among the world's tallest murals, only surpassed by artworks in Calgary, Canada, and Karachi, Pakistan. Adorning the tower are Leicester's beloved symbols, including a fox, tiger, astronaut, and DNA helix, offering a breathtaking sight visible from various points across the city.

The streets of Leicester filled with colour, texture and joy during city`s first ever textiles festival which took place between 16th - 24th September across various locations. Highlighting Leicester's rich and varied textiles past, present and future the festival takes in many public places across the city center. There`s the Big Wrap by festival Co-Founders Rebecca Harvey-Hobbs and Ali Carpenter-Hughes in Orton Square celebrating all things Leicester. Yarnbombs in Jubilee Square and The Circle created by community groups, schools and more across the city and county. The town hall fountain and square has been decorated (even the pigeons seemed impressed by this !). Leicester Look Up !, features hanging baskets made by individuals and groups and with various pop up exhibits in the Highcross and Haymarket Shopping centers this is a city wide festival of creativity and people coming together to promote positive wellbeing and sustainability. 

In 2021 Leicester City Football Club reached the FA Cup Final for the first time since 1969 (the first cup final in my lifetime !) around the city and county people decorated shops, houses and more in celebration. In Syston a knitter known simply as SKB has gained a reputation for marking various events through the year by creating "toppers" for the postbox beside the post office on the high street. The historic nature of LCFC`s cup final has been marked by SKB with the appearance of a knitted interpretation of the clubs mascot Filbert Fox atop the post box.

Highlights of the 2015 annual Leicester Santa run which takes place in Leicesters Victoria (Vicky) park every year for charity. We join the warm up with Filbert the fox and friends before heading to the start line where Leicester city Legend Alan (Birch) Birchenall and the Lord Mayor signal the start of the run, the runners then walk, jog or run a 2.5km or 5km circuit around the park. Look out for the Santa`s carrying a tree trunk ! and other characters. images follow

I visited the village of Great Bowden in Leicestershire to see the Fernie Hunt. the annual event begins with the horses and hounds leaving the kennels and travelling to the village green where they are greeted by many spectators. The festive meet allows a chance to see the horses, hounds and talk with their owners about the rich history of the event which also raises money for many local charity's and groups. The horses and hounds follow a sent trail on a planed route around the local countryside laid by a quad bike and bird of prey before retiring back to the kennels at the end of the day. Images follow.

The Fernie Hunt takes place every year in and around the village of Great Bowden in Leicestershire the event begins with the horses and hounds leaving the kennels and travelling to the village green where they are greeted by hundreds of spectators. The meet allows visitors a chance to see the horses, hounds and their owners and to learn about the rich history of the event which also raises money for the local air ambulance. The horses and hounds then follow a sent trail on a planed route around the local countryside before retiring back to the kennels at the end of the day.

Awards Evening Its awards season again and here is my contribution the glitzy world of fame and fortune well in the semi professional Leicestershire Rugby scene anyway ! (who needs Hollywood) this is a poster I designed for Leicester Lions RFC for their annual end of season awards weekend a homage to a famous movie studios logo can you guess which one ?.