THE MYSTERY surrounding the creator of 'white stickmen' that have been appearing in the Newcastle Emlyn area still continues for our readers.

However the enigmatic creative sculptor made contact with journalist Anwen Francis following an article in last week's Tivy-Side Advertiser.

The white painted stick men are popping up around the village of Cwm Cou near Newcastle Emlyn, and no one seemed to know who was responsible for them or why they were there.

Sometimes, there are two stick men, other times one.

Last week, one stick man stood alone with an axe in his hand, and they are intriguing and baffling drivers who pass by.

One of those drivers who uses the back road from Newcastle Emlyn to Penparc daily for work is India Latter of Llangeler.

“Oh I always wonder what these are about when I drive past them most mornings.

"I’m always intrigued to see if they’ve changed and would love to know if they actually represent something,” said India.

And Elizabeth Canton from the neighbouring village of Bryngwyn said the whole family, including her young boys, are very curious.

She said: “It’s a mystery! You never see anyone there changing them. We always say they must do it in the middle of the night so no one sees them!”

Since reporter Anwen Francis took to Facebook to try to discover the root of the creators of these stick men, she’s had several private facebook messages as well as some public on her page – some offering ideas and others saying how much they like them.

“Some people seem to know who has created these white stick men who all stand on felled trunk bases but no one will actually say.

“It seems to be a huge secret in the village, but so far, everyone I have spoken to seem to like them and are looking out for more. It’s all been positive,” explained Anwen.

County councillor Towyn Evans who has responsibility for the Llandyfriog ward and the patch where these stick men are located thinks it could be a protest against felling trees.

Cllr Evans said: “I’ve seen them. There used to be two, now there is only one and I’ve no idea who is responsible.

“I think it could be a protest against cutting trees as during high winds and floods, one of the trees on that stretch of road was insecure and there was a risk of the tree falling and taking the pavement with it.

“The tree was cut by the local authority and since then, these stick men have appeared.”

And following our report last week, Anwen was invited to meet the creator to see why these popular stickmen are popping up here and there in the locality.

“I've been creating stickmen for around a year and this is in response to the local authorities cutting trees,” said the artist and sculptor, who doesn't want to be identified just yet.

“It's about things that are invisible and making them visible. I'm a gentle activist and these stickmen are erected during broad daylight – it can't be done at night as you can't see what you are doing can you?” laughed the mystery man, who finds it quite funny that people are intrigued by his simple creations.

He added: “I hope that what I'm doing creates a positive reaction as I'm committing my life to making these men. I look on Google Earth and do lots of research for every location before erecting anything and I don't only just place these stickmen where trees have been cut.

“There was a bus stop in Pentrecwrt due for demolition and it had a broken seat, so I went along and fixed it,” said the mystery man who started an 'I love Peckham Campaign' before he moved to this area 13 years ago.

“It's all self-funded and it's a passion. I try and prompt the council to do something about it and to make people smile at the end of the day. I see these activities as art projects and I use humour as a tool for connecting with people, whether it is the council or the wider public. I just feel it is important to stress these aspects of my work.

“A shelter was knocked down and I erected an umbrella there until the new one was built. When it finally happened I bought a blow up champagne bottle,” he laughed.

The creative mystery man and father-of-one emphasised he doesn't damage property and has over 100 white stickmen of various sizes in his rural workshop.

“The stick men in Cwmcou disappeared for a month and that had nothing to do with me. One has come back and it's a mystery to me who took them and where they have been and why are they back. The stickmen, however, always go back to their family tree.

“And did you know that there are 40 empty lampposts between here and Carmarthen – all within a 15 mile radius? Why don't the authorities place proper signage on them? If they are redundant, they should be taken away. They are visual pollution especially as we have such wonderful countryside.”

The mystery man is busy thinking of other locations to erect his stickmen and signs, and the stickman in Cwmcou should soon have the company of another to fascinate and intrigue passers-by.