Ian Dale and Fiona Thomson

Ian has been a keen walker for over 30 years, completing the Pennine Way when he was 17. His love of the countryside started young as he grew up in a farming family and it expanded when his agricultural career took him to Scotland and the south-west of England. He returned to the north in 1997 to farm in Teesdale. As an active member of a local outdoor club his love of the hills and dales was nurtured locally, whilst regular visits to the Scottish Highlands offered further challenges. He has also explored further afield, enjoying treks to the mountains of Nepal and Peru and the Alps.

Fiona comes from a urban background and grew up in London, where she was always an "outdoor type", enjoying watersports and camping as a teenager. She moved to Yorkshire in 1993 whilst working for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a career she enjoyed for over 15 years. Walking several miles a day training dogs and visually impaired clients gave her an appreciation of decent foot and wet weather gear. Since living in the area she has come to know and love the North York Moors and Dales and has also recently ventured further afield on walking holidays in France and Spain.

Together Ian and Fiona aim to build on the reputation established by Chris Gaunt at the Osmotherley Walking Shop by maintaining his core values of personal service and sound product knowledge.

Chris has now started another business in Scotland see www.whatwedoatforres.co.uk if you are interested

John Rickard

John Rickard is our web site designer. He also produces websites on the Yorkshire Moors and Walking in Britain