RON BATEMAN embarked on an apprenticeship with British Rail Engineering Ltd, Swindon, in 1977, where he continued to work as a skilled coach-painter until the works closed. Thereafter, he worked in engineering for an orthopaedic manufacturing company, before retiring in 2016. He was one of the founding members of the Orwell Society and was editor of the Society Journal. He splits his time between Umbria, Italy, and South Cerney, Gloucestershire.
