Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

Join me for a #Viasakhi celebration at Fosse Park in Leicestershire .  We kick off the video with the Jodi Dancers adding a burst of colour to the Food Central area. ​⁠  The group features a Dhol drummer who plays alongside the dancers, as they show off the dance moves that have been passed down through generations of performers, all celebrating the #Vaisakhi festival.  The group soon welcomes everyone, no matter their age, to join in the dance as the music fills the shopping centre.

   A look at Leicesters Fruit and Veg market in it's current location on Green Dragon Square having temporarily moved from is original location whilst work is undertaken on the former site. Please be aware this film has been made to document in an unbiased way the current form the market takes, it is not posted as comment on the decision by any individual or Leicester City Council to move the traders to this location and should not be used as such, thank you for respecting the views of all concerned when viewing, sharing and Commenting on this short film.

Step into the world of willow weaving with Amanda Rayner, the acclaimed artisan from Wyldwood Willow, boasting over two decades of mastery in this ancient craft.  Join me on a journey to Everards Meadows, where tradition meets innovation, as Amanda demonstrates her skill in crafting a traditional willow fence. In my video, you will witness firsthand the artistry and dedication poured into every intricate weave as Amanda showcases techniques passed down through generations.  Against the backdrop of Everards Beer Hall and brewery, the car park transforms into a haven of creativity, with willow sourced directly from the meadows and other carefully selected sources. See Amanda's work bring the raw beauty of nature to life, one strand at a time. Whether you're an enthusiast of traditional craftsmanship or simply curious about the magic of willow weaving, this video promises a glimpse into a timeless art form.

Join the Leicester Morris Men as they perform a variety of traditional Morris Dances in the car park of the Blue Bell Inn, Desford. The sun was setting as the Morris men took their places and the musicians struck up one of many tunes handed down through generations, did you know ? traditionally in the Morris all the dancing steps, the movements and music were passed down from father to son within each village or Morris side. First we see a hanky dance then followed by a stick dance. The Leicester Morris Men are predominantly a Cotswolds Morris side, which means they dance traditional dances collected from the Cotswolds villages. In 1989 they also started to perform traditional Border Morris dances from the Welsh – English border villages. In 2023 the group proudly celebrate 70 years of Morris dancing in and around Leicester.

On Diwali day 2019 BBC Radio Leicester held an Open Day featuring tours of the station, an exhibition of dance costumes (see pic below) and traditional dance performances by the Centre for Indian Classical Dance (CICD). My film features a few of the traditional dances performed in the reception area of the radio station. A design promoting the event was also created by myself and was displayed in and around the station on the day and can be seen below. Happy Diwali to all celebrating.

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 Leicester`s first dedicated Christmas Market in the city's New Market Square to sample the fabulous festive food, Bountiful beverages and festive fun on offer. Open every day from 23rd November to 23rd December 2017 we see stalls offering Mulled wine, artisan crafts, traditional German sausages and even Turkish delight sweets.

A selection of designs for my 2012 Christmas cards. They have been designed to evoke a hand printed traditional style and are typeface based, featuring lyrics from well known Christmas carols and songs. We Wish You A Merry Christmas with Stag Silhouette This design uses the lyrics for we wish you a merry Christmas and uses negative space to overlay the outline of a stag creating an image that is both traditional and modern. Green Jingle Bells The lyrics to the traditional Christmas song Jingle Bells are the basis for this typography lead design which fades in colour to evoke the hand printing methods of the past. 3 Baubles/ Happy New Year This design uses a bold style and features 3 baubles hanging from the top of the card with the largest wishing the viewer the traditional message of a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.