Meet the area teams

Find out how to contact your local Area Manager here, for a wide variety of advice and information: details on where the Area Rangers are based, the work they do, who they manage as well as some shared knowledge and fun facts about the Area Managers.

Northern Dales

Matt Neale

Area Manager

Northern Dales

The area

Matt Neale is the Area Manager of the North of the Park and is based at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes. His area covers the section of Wensleydale above Aysgarth and includes the parishes of Bainbridge, Hawes, High Abbotside and Low Abbotside in the North of the National Park.

Matt’s work

Matt Neale is responsible for developing and setting rights of way targets, area management and overall responsibility for health and safety.

Northern Dales Team

Area Rangers Nigel Metcalfe (Wensleydale) and Michael Briggs (Swaledale) are the main point of contact for local communities. Nigel and Michael work with Parish Councils and other community groups to find funding and deliver projects that conserve or enhance the area. They also take the lead on larger access projects.

Access Rangers Paul Sheehan (Lower Wensleydale), Jonathan Heap (Upper Wensleydale), and Lizzie Harington (Swaledale), are responsible for the maintenance of the rights of way network, including replacing signage, repairing bridges, clearing vegetation and helping landowners with stiles and gates.

We currently have an apprentice, Henry Edwards, who assists the Access Rangers in their day-to-day duties.

Contact details

Phone: 01969 666225
Mobile: 07818 048759
Email: Matt.Neale@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Post: Dales Countryside Museum, Station Yard, Hawes, North Yorkshire DL8 3NT

Western Dales

Steve Hastie

Area Manager

Western Dales

The area

Steve Hastie is the Area Manager for the West of the Park and is based at our Orton office. This region, in the North West of the National Park, is where you will find the Westmorland Dales, most of which was added to the National Park in 2016. This includes the Northern Howgills and Orton Scar. 

Steve’s work

Steve Hastie is responsible for developing and setting rights of way targets, area management and overall responsibility for health and safety. Steve also manages the Area and Access Rangers in the Western Dales.

Western Dales Team

The Area Ranger, Will Locke, is the main point of contact for local communities. Will will be able to work with Parish Councils and other community groups to find funding and deliver projects that conserve or enhance the area. He will also take the lead on larger access projects.

Access Rangers Tom Hickey, Ed Kirkham and Graham Pye are responsible for the maintenance of the rights of way network, including replacing signage, repairing bridges, clearing vegetation and helping landowners with stiles and gates.

Contact details

Phone: 01539 756611 or 756610
Mobile: 07818 048767
Email: Steve.Hastie@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Post: YDNPA, Unit 1a, Silver Yard, Orton, Cumbria. CA10 3R

Southern Dales

Kate Hilditch

Area Manager

Southern Dales

The area

Kate Hilditch is the Area Manager for the Southern Dales which covers Wharfedale, Littondale, Ribblesdale Malhamdale and a small part of Lancashire. The Southern Dales includes the Three Peaks area.  Kate is based at Grassington and Stonedykes Barn, Stainforth.

Kate’s work

Kate is responsible for developing and setting rights of way targets, area management and overall responsibility for health and safety and also oversees the Three Peaks Project. Kate manages the Area and Access Rangers in the Southern Dales. 

Southern Dales Team

Area Rangers Phil Richards (Wharfedale and Littondale) and Rob Ashford (Malhamdale and Lower Ribblesdale) are the main point of contact for local communities. Phil and Rob work with Parish Councils and other community groups to find funding and deliver projects that conserve or enhance the area. They also take the lead on larger access projects.

Access Rangers Giovanni Mezzanotte (Malhamdale), Nathan Allen (Ribblesdale), Rob Wilson (Upper Wharfedale) and Adam Waters (Lower Wharfedale) are responsible for maintenance of the rights of way network, including replacing signage, repairing bridges, clearing vegetation and helping landowners with stiles and gates. Our Three Peaks Ranger Thomas Sutton is responsible for maintaining the routes on the Yorkshire Three Peaks walking route and we have an Area Ranger, David Pickup for the Three Peaks.

Contact details

Phone: 01756 751631
Mobile: 07584 593309
Email: Kate.Hilditch@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Post: Colvend, Hebden Road, Grassington, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5LB