I can't speak for my fellow monks, but here you are smack in the middle of a large and vibrant community complaining that there aren't any like us to be found. Ironic, ain't it? :-) And as someone who grew up just a bit "south of the orange curtain" it strikes me as odd that you'd have trouble in that market finding someone grokful of perl. This is not a judgment by any stretch of the imagination, just an observation coupled with some very possibly outdated experience in that market.

Have you tried the Times and the Register? Howzabout the temp agencies? I haven't been resident in that locale in quite a number of years, but once upon a time the temp agencies were the best place to look for higher caliber talent. They might not have been the most stable workforce for the bargain hunters, but even the best "contractors" would snatch up a solid offer if it were presented. I was one of and worked with those guys for a few years before I made my escape, and darn few were posers. It might be possible to bluff your way into the higher dollars at just one company, but you can't bluff your way into several such gigs when your employer (the agency) is getting feedback.

This is not a solicitation (and Brethren please forgive me my transgression against the sanctity of the monastery) but if you're not opposed to working with a telecommuting consultant, drop me a line. I am not cheap, and I am not desperate for work, but I am available given sufficient notice and I might be able to help you out of a bind. If telecommuting isn't acceptable, I hope my other suggestions might pan out for you, and I wish you the very best of luck. Good help is hard to find.