Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  Diwali in Leicester is known as one of the biggest celebrations outside of India itself and with the famous Golden Mile illuminated with thousands of colourful lights the celebrations got even bigger in 2025 with events across the city. One such event was the River Of Light at  @LeicesterOutdoorPursuit  with water craft of all types illuminated as they paddled, rowed, and boarded their way along the river celebrating the festival of lights in a unique, new and spectacular way that has much potential to become a much loved and regular part of celebrations in years to come. my film starts as the light fades and we see the preparations are underway riverside for the parade, meanwhile in the centre as visitors arrive under a rainbow archway, a multi coloured waterfall of light is surrounded by canoes offering a beautiful Diwali picture opportunity. Later it`s back to the river for the parade and the water becomes a vibrant mix of coloured lights on canoes and paddle board...

The Leicester Riverside Festival takes place annually along the mile straight of the River Soar featuring music,arts,crafts and activities both on and off the water, for the whole family it`s a great day out for everyone. With a toot of the whistle from the Abbey Pumping Stations traction engine, my film shows some of the many highlights from Sunday at the festival. Look for Bill Bailey`s band playing toe tapping jazz as they travel along the river, the beautiful sound of the sing for water choir and tales of the canals of old England with the Bonnet And Belt theater company among other attractions. There is even an appearance from a strange yellow character not dissimilar to a Muppet riding his tricycle into castle gardens.

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.

In this video I visit The Leicester Riverside Festival which takes place annually in Leicester in Bede Park along the Mile straight, Western Boulevard and in Castle Gardens. The event is one of Leicester`s biggest free festivals and features activity's both on the water and on land including samba bands (Sambando) and street performances from performers such as Octopus Ocean. Along the River Soar (Mile Straight) various decorated narrow boats are moored and food served (Barge Burger), Riverside attractions include Jazz music from Jazz On The River a floating band who travel up and down the river as they play and a chance to try various water sports such as canoeing and coracle boating.