In a bizarre turn of events, residents of the Welsh village of Brymbo were left baffled over the weekend as a group of mysterious, life-sized figures suddenly appeared and then just as swiftly disappeared from a local field.
Around 15 human-shaped sculptures were spotted on Saturday near the former Brymbo Steelworks site, prompting a flurry of confusion, curiosity and speculation among locals. “It was very creepy,” said one resident. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
The sculptures, which some described as “spooky” and “freaky,” drew comparisons to an episode of Doctor Who, with some even wondering if aliens had landed. Residents like Jess Jones and Holly Jones rushed to take photographs of the strange sight, unsure of what to make of the unexpected installation.
The mystery was later solved, however, as the sculptures were revealed to be part of an ongoing artistic project called “One Man Army” by Cheshire-based artist Colin Spofforth. The travelling sculptural installation explores Britain’s lost industrial and social heritage by temporarily placing repeated casts of a single, solemn figure in locations shaped by work and industry.
The figures were positioned opposite the former Brymbo Steelworks, a site that was once a major employer in the area, with a peak workforce of around 2,500 people. Steel production at the site came to an end in 1990, when 1,100 workers lost their jobs, marking the closure of a significant part of the region’s industrial history.
“The work didn’t just fill the space, it lifted it, adding new meaning to the surroundings and tying beautifully into the story of Stori Brymbo,” said local resident Lisa Rumsey, who encountered Spofforth and his son as they were installing the piece.
Spofforth’s work, which has also included the creation of a life-size statue of Owain Glyndwr in Corwen, Denbighshire, is said to explore the connection between people and place, sparking a sense of belonging, memory and curiosity in the communities it visits.
After captivating the residents of Brymbo, the mysterious sculptures have now moved on, leaving behind a lasting impression and a newfound appreciation for the area’s rich industrial heritage.