Part Three of Three Initially the Parish Meeting received several donations to stock the Pit but the money did not go far having in mind the cost of wild flower seed, thus it was lucky that entry into the Norfolk Villages Ventures Competiton 1992 sponsored by Shell, provided a fourth prize of  £100.   This led to application for a grant toward the future which produced £250.   The project was doing well.

The saplings were all planted and most took successfully but the attempts with wild flowers were not so good.  Originally there was a good showing of Ox Eyes, Cornflowers and Corn Cockle, but very little else showed, perhaps overwhelmed by the thistle and nettle which seemed very much at home.  This year there has been a modest show of locally transplanted Bluebells plus some from Hertfordshire and Sussex.  Daffodils are worthwhile whilst some native Primroses have grown strongly.  It is understood that wild flowers appear in their own time, so there is hope for the future.  No doubt an expert could identify some plants apart from the Hemlock, Burdock and St. John's Wort which are also plentiful.

Wild Life has been disappointing due perhaps to the voracious Magpie, but the pond has encouraged the toads and previous tadpoles plus Dragon and Damsel Flies.  The Pit is, of course, stuffed with rabbits as they have been wired in by the farmer who objected to them using her fields as a kitchen garden!  It must be the largest rabbit hutch in the country!   In the world of butterflies, the pit has been more successful and most years up to 15 out of perhaps 30 possible species have been noted.

Overall the project can be called successful.  The Pit is a quiet place to take a troubled body with its peaceful provision of nature, whilst its original noxiousness has to a large extent been overcome.   When you are next in the neighbourhood of Titchwell, you could do worse than spend a little time in the transfigured Pit.

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