As job descriptions go, it is one of the more unusual ones… you must be able to cackle, work weekends and not be allergic to cats. Bag the position and you could be earning £50k a year – as the famous Wookey Hole witch.
The Somerset attraction’s previous resident sorceress has resigned to open up the audition process on October 22nd – but there could be some stiff competition: last time the job was on offer in 2009, some 3,000 people turned up looking to fill the role.
Job centres have already been given details of the unusual job, which is open to male, female and transgender witches. The witch of Wookey Hole provides the face of the tourist attraction in advertising and marketing, makes personal appearances at the caves to entertain families who visit the spectacular caverns – the £50k salary is pro rata.
Sunny Van der Pas (above), who has held the position for two years, will be one of the Hex-Factor panel deciding on her replacement.
She said: “It is a fantastic job but any performer will agree that it is difficult to play the same role for two years. I think it would be ideal for someone who has been to drama school or for an older person, who wants to have a regular role they can get their teeth into.
“You have to like children, be able to cackle convincingly and enjoy dressing up and being really close to the public. You have to like living in a cave and be able to perform a few spells.”
Daniel Medley, Director of Wookey Hole Caves said: “The witch of Wookey is a world-renowned historical character and since news of the vacancy leaked out last week we have already had people applying to us from all over the UK.
To apply for the position see www.wookey.co.uk
