Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

With a theme of around the world, Desford Residents, Businesses and Community Groups came together to decorate Christmas trees for the annual St Martin`s Church Christmas Tree festival in 2024. With trees featuring decorations detailing Christmas greetings from around the world, knitted flags of the world, we even got to say Allo Allo to a French themed tree !. After enjoying a cup of tea and a slice o` Cake, I take in trees depicting the tulips and windmills of Amsterdam, plus a very unique use for pasta on a Italian themed tree. As I venture back out into the winter air the church entrance is glowing with the warmth of lights and decorations created by the amazing volunteers and Desford Heritage group who make this fantastically festive festival possible.

During the festive period in Newbold Verdon the Baptist Church held a Christmas tree festival with trees decorated by various community groups people and local businesses in the village, The theme of the festival was we three kings and each tree interpreted the theme in a different way. Entering the church we see the trees lining either side of the room before getting a closer look at the individual trees.

The annual Christmas Tree Festival in Desford celebrated it`s 20th Anniversary in 2022. As previous years the Church of St. Martin`s was full of trees decorated by Desford groups and individuals this year on a theme of films, with a eclectic mix from across cinematic history, there where trees based on films as diverse as Toy Story to James Bond, White Christmas, Paddington bear and much more, a special tree was decorated in tribute to HM The Queen marking both her Platinum Jubilee and passing in 2022. How many films can you spot as my film takes you on a tour of the festival and can you spot a tree decorated with portraits of a certain Lost King ?

On 17th November Leicester came to sparkling festive life with 16,000 LED lights and a 46ft Christmas tree decorated beside the Clock Tower in the center of the city. The festive atmosphere started before the lights got switched on as local band the King Brasstards roamed the streets playing their unique take on festive favorites and a brightly lit fairground featuring traditional gallpers and other rides entertained the crowds. As 6:30pm approached the countdown hosted by BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ady Dayman began and those gathered forgot the rain and smiled as the large tree and streets burst into a rainbow of festive colours and lights the festive season had begun. After the switch on was complete street entertainers entertained the crowds with Mr and Mrs Frosty and the Show Globe bringing magical moments for all underneath the decorations. 

Local Businesses, Community Groups and Villagers come together at St Martins Church Desford for the annual Christmas tree festival this years theme being Carols and Christmas Songs. Visitors where rocking around the christmas tree and the creativity flowing as various carols and songs formed the brief for each design, a tree covered in pom pom sheep represented shepherds watching their flocks by night through to more modern hits on a music themed tree.