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28 June 2021

In 2020 producer Osian Griffiths returned home to film new series Iolo’s Pembrokeshire: The Wild West. He reflects on the challenges he faced - from staying at his parents’ house with only intermittent broadband and filming safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Growing up in the Pembrokeshire countryside is a privilege. It’s a fact that isn't lost on me as most of my childhood was spent building dens and looking for wildlife with my siblings along the Eastern Cleddau river. Those early days started my fascination with the natural world.

Fast forward 25 years, and when asked if I wanted to film and produce a wildlife series on Pembrokeshire with Iolo Williams, I was very excited to get started. Not only would I be filming some interesting wildlife around my home patch, but I could also visit my parents who still lived at my childhood home, and walk along the Cleddau river again - a bonus in my eyes.

Pembs, as I call it, is renowned for its beautiful coastline and its offshore islands’ wildlife, but it also has plenty of hidden gems, so this series was my opportunity to show off these places. In March 2020, and within days of me arriving at my parents’ place, Covid-19 lockdown nearly put an end to the production. I was locked-down with my parents and a prehistoric broadband speed, however I must admit, the countryside lockdown was perhaps a gentler experience than in the cities. The next 30 days were anxious ones, but it was particularly frustrating because of the stunning spring that unfolded, and I was unable to go anywhere to film.

Fortunately the production got the go ahead to continue. Although there were initial challenges to film safely with a crew such as social distancing measures, securing short notice film permits and no accommodation available, we were all so thankful we were able to work again. Sadly, so many others in the creative industry were not so fortunate.

During the following three months, west Wales was blessed with fine weather, allowing us to film a variety of wildlife from migrant birds on the Preseli hills, stunning green tiger beetles on St David’s Head and hunting kestrels at Ceibwr Bay. For me, the real surprise was discovering nesting kingfishers on the stretch of river near my parents’ house. After numerous early morning walks, and seeing flashes of those blue feathers zoom by, I finally pinned down their nest to an exposed muddy bank. In less than 48 hours the crew were assembled and we filmed the adult birds and newly emerged chicks before they dispersed: talk about timing.

When we started filming this series the county was unusually quiet and devoid of visitors. A blessing perhaps to film at certain locations, but also very eerie. As the months passed by and lockdown restrictions eased, the crowds slowly returned. Some were returning to their holiday homes, others swapping their summer trip abroad for a week near Tenby, desperate to regain some sense of freedom. Against the backdrop of a devastating disease, the natural world thrived, and for many people exploring the outdoors got them through that difficult time. Let’s hope nature's healing properties are not forgotten in future years."