Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

  A look at the first Christmas Tree Festival at The Church of St James in Newbold Verdon featuring trees by various groups and businesses in the village. We begin with a candle flickering and pan up to see the church full of small Christmas trees. As we walk up the main aisle illuminated by the red festive glow of the heaters the trees line either side. Focusing in on some of the trees we see a brown one by The Strand Hairdressers . Either side of the alter, adorned with candles, are two larger traditional trees. Back to the smaller trees and we see a tree decorated by the villages answer to the Syston Knitting Banksy the Nutty Knitters which features various knitted characters. We then take a look at a tree by the village tearoom Liberteas a popular hub of the community. A unique "tree" by the 1st Newbold Verdon Scouts featuring various badges and a neckerchief at the top and a tree by the Little Mustard Seeds group close the film but many other trees can be seen ...

  Every year a small patch of ancient woodland alongside J21 of the M1 and a short walk from Fosse Shopping Park is carpeted in a sea of Blue Bluebell flowers creating a natural oasis in the middle of a busy built up urban environment.

As Desford In Bloom coincided with the RAF100 celebration in 2018 and with the town playing a big part in the manufacture of various aircraft through the years, the village decided to theme its blooms and decorations accordingly. Two handmade wooden planes compliment the patriotic color planting and a YarnBomb created and organised by the Knit and natter group who meet in the village. Look out for knitted and toy planes having a dogfight under the trees and flowers planted to resemble the famous circular RAF design.

Every year around April/May a small area of ancient woodland between Leicester`s Fosse park and Junction 21 of the M1 Motorway bursts into colorful life as a bed of beautiful bluebells form a swaying carpet of color below the trees. The birds sing from branches high as sunlight shines though the leaves, creating a magical oasis of calm just meters away from busy traffic filled roads. As I take in the scene the motorists pass by unaware of the beauty nearby as they rush form place to place. My film gives an idea of the relaxing and tranquil scene.