Wanted (Full Time): One Good Witch

(CBS)  In this economy, a single job opening can bring out hundreds of applicants. There was just one job up for grabs today in a town in southwest England.

No experience necessary, but it did require a special skill set. The job? Official witch of Wooky Hole. CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reports.

It was, you might say, the job interview from hell. Some 300 hags waited to audition, each one convinced she or he ad what it takes to be the next official witch of Wooky Hole.

"I'm the oldest one here. I'm 400 years old," said one hopeful.

"I love children. Good cackle," boasted another.

One warned, "I've got more spells up my sleeve. Careful I don't turn you into something horrible."

Over 2,000 people were sent applications. Those who made the short list had one minute each to spellbind the judges.

On the panel was a veteran - Jane Brenner - the outgoing witch of Wooky Hole.

"We want someone who can change her character from being a nice, good witch in the summer to an evil one for Halloween - which is of course when we do our fright night," Brenner said. "And somebody that definitely loves animals and children - and can cackle. You've got to cackle."

The winner will work in the Wooky Hole caves - a tourist attraction famous for an ancient witch legend.

The story goes that back in the 8th century, a local old woman was accused of being a witch. She fled into the cave pursued by an abbot. He sprinkled her with holy water and she turned to stone. A very witchy looking formation remains to this day.

But a live witch goes down better with modern tourists and the cave's owners are willing to pay the winning candidate up to $80,000 a year.

This year's winner was Carla Calamity, a local real estate agent.

She's going to quit her office job to weave magic full time.

[Robin DeArcos]

sounds like hog-worts on the Rag!!!..not another harry potter thing!!!..time to get a life..people!!!.

[jsfitzgerrel]

toil and trouble
follow me and we will be double

[Fatesrider]

The folks who applied are obviously doing this tongue in cheek and are unlikely to be true followers of the Path. While I have no objection to people looking for a job, it would be nice if stereotypical examples of 'witches' were done away with and replaced with something more modern. I'm not saying they have to be Harry Potter clones, but most witches today would have issues with being viewed the way monotheistic religions have painted them: as devil worshipers.

So while I'm sure a lot of people applied for this position, it's unlikely that any of them were 'real' witches. It would be like a person of color wanting to put on black face, talk about fried chicken and sing "Mammy" for the enjoyment of other people. It's possible if someone wants a job badly enough, but not terribly likely.

[woeisme1]

I think Rowdy should apply for the job. She would be a natural. I wonder if that's her in the photo???

[John_Merritt]

England does not need to advertise overseas. There are plenty of witches if every corner of that continent.

[cs4466]

The Witch of Wasilla has a leg up on these impostors! I think Sarah Palin would make an EXCELLENT choice!

[rf35]

Unfortunately, as much as I'd like to export her so she can be someone else's problem, she's too busy in America trying to place curses on the media.

[Primflower]

Is there a "brotherhood" for idiots??? theoracle 7 and cs4466 sure do make the short list along with rf35

[theoracle7]

Perhaps we should look no further than our own here in America; The Witch I speak of is located right here in South Bend. Indiana. Her Name is Barbara The Gray Witch, and she has a rising popularity since things got bad out here - but don't believe me, hear her for yourself - she does a show on U93 on Thursday mornings, or you can talk to her yourself at 574-289-6966. Would love to see Katie Couric talk with Barbara one on one! Cheers!

[Primflower]

theoracle7 is a complete idiot

[Primflower]

theoracle7 is a complete idiot