Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  The 1st Newbold Verdon Scout troop hold their annual gala bringing the village together for a day of fun and games. We begin with the Ibstock Scout band leading a parade through the village ending at the Primary school on Dragon Lane . We see the band entering the showground next to a steam roller before they are dismissed and the scout leader opens the gala. Next we see the there and back railway giving rides followed by fun with inflatables and Sumo suits . Nearby (but not too close !) there`s axe throwing and we see the steam roller from earlier letting off steam. Next up the Dogs (and owners) of the village take part in a Fun Dog Show with prizes for various categories being presented by Local MP Dr Luke Evans (CON). A Classic car show line up includes various cars including a soft top Morris Minor and Scooter with a herd of alpacas watching the events unfold around them. Back to the showground and the horticultural tent sees competition for longest carrot and mos...

  I took a visit to Norton Juxta Blooms directly opposite @TwycrossZoo in Leicestershire to see their spectacular Sunflower field, we made the visit at Sunset so as the sun slid below the horizon the field started to glow deep yellow and oranges. We also had an unexpected flypast by some Para motors which took off from an adjacent field flying low over the Sunflowers adding to the special atmosphere. In this film i explore the field finding a bright blue tractor contrasting against the Yellow flowers and exploring the maze of paths throughout, as the sun sinks lower the Sunflowers seem to be soaking up the last few rays and bow their heads till sunrise tomorrow. please see the Norton Juxta Blooms website for opening times and a special thanks to the team there for allowing us to film after hours.  

As part of the National Gallery`s programme of events to celebrate their Bicentenary, 12 of the nation’s most iconic and well-loved paintings from the collection are being lent to 12 venues across the UK. Leicester Museum and Art Gallery on New Walk has been lent The Umbrellas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the much loved painting is on display until September 1st and has free entry. The displays opened simultaneously on 10 May 2024, the 200th anniversary of the Gallery’s opening in London, enabling people from all over the country to see, up close, some of the greatest works in the history of Western art. www.nationalgallery.org.uk

A day out at the Statfold Barn Railway for the Spectacle of Steam event promises an unparalleled experience for locomotive enthusiasts. Here, visitors are treated to a spectacle unlike any other, with the opportunity to witness more working steam locomotives in one hour than anywhere else in the UK. The railway and museum boast one of the largest collections of rare, unique, and historic locomotives from around the world, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of railway history. From majestic steam engines to meticulously preserved artifacts, every corner of the Statfold Barn Railway invites exploration and discovery. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious novice, this event promises an unforgettable journey through the golden age of steam.

I visited Portsmouth in the south of England to see the Americas Cup sailing. The day was officially a practice day but that did not stop the teams taking it seriously as they made their way through the race village and out to their waiting boats. Before racing commenced we where treated to a display by the RAF display team The Red Arrows who looked spectacular above the UK`s Land Rover BAR team boat as it waited to start racing. It wasn't long till the racing began in sun soaked Portsmouth and the condition's where perfect for some exiting action on the water, My film gives a overview of the days events and the atmosphere both on the water and in the race village. Please note this video is not a race highlights video for full coverage of the event please visit the official website of the Americas cup or their excellent you tube channel.

My short film follows a Traction engine in steam as it arrives at the Abbey Pumping Station for one of their regular events. We join the beautifully kept engine as it makes its way carefully along the nearby streets and through the front gates of the Victorian Pumping house before later taking a closer look at the workings from a unique drivers perspective. Images follow.

It may be winter with temperatures getting lower every day but that didn't deter these surfers catching the waves on a Devon beach in 2013. The sea was rough, waves large and the low winter sun (although shining brightly) provided little warmth to the surfers at they entered the water. Out in the middle of the estuary the braver surfers rode the large waves around wolf rock whilst paddle boarders and other surfers found ample sized waves to ride in the bay of North Sands beach. Images Follow

A Greater Spotted Woodpecker visits our bird feeder one snowy Sunday. The Great Spotted Woodpecker (or Greater Spotted Woodpecker) despite being quite a common bird in number rarely visits garden bird feeders in the UK.

The Scarborough Surf festival includes round 3 of the UK Professional Surf Tour and features some of the best professional UK surfers competing to win the UK Professional Surfing Title. The event takes place on Scarborough`s north bay in 2011 10,000 people attended the event and the 2012 Festival featured a camper van meet and mountain bike shows. This short film features some of the highlights of the days surfing action out on the waves. you can see my video featuring the camper van meet Here

A selection of VW Camper Vans (and their owners) meet at the Scarborough Surf Festival. The Campers where lined up along the seafront with a selection of colours, designs and types each one reflecting its owners personality. The backdrop of waves and professional surfers competing completed the scene as the public got the chance to examine every inch of the well loved vans.

Designed to promote a charity event centred around the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Wistow Rural Centre in Leicestershire this poster uses the instantly recognisable Union Jack flag as its background. The Flag`s famous lines are echoed by the use of a simple sans serif typeface and patriotic colour scheme of Red, White, Blue & Yellow (standing in for gold in this instance).The type is centre aligned with a crown at the top in a deliberate nod toward the modern resurgence of the Keep Calm And Carry On posters.The Campaign saw this poster reproduced in a number of sizes from A5 through to A3 & displayed in a number of locations around the local area of Wistow, A simple easy to read style was needed that could be easily reproduced across the various sizes without loosing the message.

  I was asked to design a poster for the Menphys walk an annual charity walk taking place on 13th may 2012 in Leicestershire. Taking its cues from last years poster for the 30th walk (also designed by me !) it features an refinement of that years footprint idea giving the poster a 'walked on' look. This motif has been continued onto all associated media for the event including banners and sponsor forms as well as any merchandise such as stickers, water bottles etc. The poster uses the charity's colour scheme of Red Grey & Black & utilizes the Teen typeface to allow the poster to make it easy to read but also portray a fun and playful personality,  The Teen typeface is teamed up with Earwig Factory evoking memories of children`s A is for apple type alphabet posters. The Poster additionally features a QR code to allow interested persons to scan the code with their smartphone triggering a free download of a registration form for the walk creating an incre...

Poster design for Menphys Open Gardens 2011, Designed to promote an open garden event hosted by Her Grace, The Dowager Duchess of Rutland for the Leicester based charity menphys at Belvoir Lodge. The design incorporates the event information into the middle of a pair of ornate iron garden gates which have been opened to invite the viewer into both the poster & the garden. The typeface is of a bold style reminiscent of classic movie posters and is fully contained within the rectangular shape of the gate opening making for a design where the text becomes the most prominent feature of the piece. The poster also continues the theme of Ladybirds and Birds as featured on the previous poster for the oadby and wigston charity show, How many can you spot ? You may also like to see my post from last years open gardens event below http://leigh984.blogspot.com/search?q=dutchess

Poster design for this 2011's Oadby & Wigston Charity show this annual event raises much needed funds for a number of local charity's this years charity's being Menphys The Meningitis trust and Help For Heroes. The event taking place in summertime called for a bright sunny theme that evoked the heat and fun of this time of year and features a fun typeface and a number of smaller elements that may only be spotted upon further inspection (ladybirds on the grass, Birds in the sky)

Leicester Riders Presentation Evening 2011 Cover and Back Page Leicester Riders Presentation Evening 2011 inside detail Created for Leicester Riders Basketball team for their 2011 presentation evening and auction this double sided A4 programme informed visitors of the lots for the evenings auction. The style is deliberately "rough around the edges" to reflect the dynamic fast paced nature of the sport of basketball and ties in with the Next game posters and brand image used throughout the riders public facing media output

The Severn Bore is a tidal bore seen on the tidal reaches of the River Severn in the UK many people come to see the rare sight of a wave travelling upstream against the flow of the river and its is a magnet for surfers and water sports enthusiasts who challenge themselves to ride the potentially 2 metre (7 ft) high wave as it goes by. This is my video of the bore that took place on 20th February 2011

Whilst walking with my camera I came upon this scene looking like it had been taken right out Narnia book  this amazing view was captured by me down by a river in Narborough (Leicestershire) as frost and -7*C temperatures grip most of the UK and Narborough !.