Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  Created by acclaimed artist Shiraaz Ali with Inspirate Shine Your Light is a large scale mural that has transformed Leicester`s Belgrave Road , celebrating Diwali Festival celebrations that are held along the famous Golden Mile each year, the mural features artwork depicting traditional symbolism and uses contemporary street art techniques, reflecting heritage and the areas modern identity. The mural captures the heritage of the Light-Switch On which first took place in 1983 over 40 years ago and features a mother and daughter representing the passing of the festival from one generation to another, Two tigers also feature to symbolise the community's strength, power and protection, the lotus flower symbolises resilience, growth and inner peace and the large 'Shine Your Light' is a reminder to people to share their unique gifts with the world.

  I took a trip to the Taylor’s Bell Foundry in Loughborough , Leicestershire , for a tour of the biggest and last remaining bell foundry of its type in the country. John Taylor arrived in Loughborough in 1839 with a vision to shape the soundscape of communities worldwide with their bells. John Taylor & Co. is not just the country’s last remaining bell foundry, but also a living link between tradition and innovation in bellmaking today. I took a " Casting Tour " around the site to see how centuries of tradition and skills passed through generations come together to create the bells we know so well in our churches and towns. We begin looking at the red brick buildings of the factory with the clanging soundtrack of industry in the background. Into the newly opened museum next, and the bell is rung to start our visit. In the casting hall , the roaring furnace is being prepared for casting later in the day. Into the workshop, and the clappers that give the bells their...

  A relaxed look at some of the Riparian activities taking place around the Brinklow Swing Bridge on the Oxford Canal. They say life moves at a different pace on the canals and waterways and so this film takes in the serene scene along a stretch of the Oxford canal as ducks paddle among Narrow boats both new and old. We follow a single duck as he paddles his way through the idyllic scene passing boats without to much fanfare. At the boat yard a boat makes its way through the swing bridge and passes by and carries on it`s journey with a stately pace and amazing grace.

The Nagar Kirtan parade makes its way from the Guru Nanak Gurdwara through the streets of Leicester in a parade of tradition, celebration of the festival of Viasakhi and a public display of a follower of the Sikh faiths personal connection to the teachings of their Gurus and a chance to come together in worship. 2025 marks the 40th year of the event in Leicester and sees thousands of followers of the Sikh faith taking part in a route across the city.  My film begins with the Sikh Motorcycle Group ahead of the procession and brings the sights and sounds of the well attended event as it makes it's way around St Nicolas Circle and along a number of city streets.

The annual celebration of the story of St George comes to Orton Square in Leicester`s cultural quarter. Featuring knights on stilts, Allin Kempthorne and his baby dragon (as seen on Britain's Got Talent), Traditional Maypole Dancing, Bill Brookman and Friends and St George himself among the attractions this event has something for all the family. My film hopes to give a flavor of the event with lots more to see on the day, for more details please consult the Visit Leicester website.  

The Chinese New Year Celebrations in Leicester started with a procession through the city center to the clock tower stopping at various points to entertain the gathered crowds with dancing dragons and a longer dragon chasing a pearl through the streets. The procession ended at New Market Square where a dragon dance was performed with a traditional drum accompaniment and a 3D projection shown on the corn exchange. The event concluded with a pyrotechnic display and firecrackers.

Founded in 1975 in the town of Nuneaton by a group of folk music enthusiasts the Anker Morris men take their name from the River Anker which runs through the town, anker also being an ancient word meaning meander. The team was admitted into the Morris ring in 1980. Each Morris team has its own distinct kit the Anker`s being blue and silver-grey. My film features a Morris dance performance at the Swan Public House and Restaurant set against a setting sun accompanied by  traditional instruments and carrying on some of the country's oldest traditions.

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.