Ray Tyrrell was born in Bristol of immigrant Irish parents. Educated at Clifton and Bristol Polytechnic, he entered the brewing industry, becoming Free Trade Sales Director for Courage Brewery in Bristol in his early 30's. He moved into beer wholesaling then ran his own Pub Company for 15 years before selling his pubs on. He was persuaded to re-enter the business world for a few years and retired as Commercial Director of a major fruit juice company in early 2009. Throughout his life he has played drums in blues bands, some very well known, and still does. He played a role in local politics for many years and served as Mayor of his home town of Thornbury in 1990/91. He was a school governor for over twenty years, twelve as Chair of Governors for Thornbury's Leading Edge comprehensive, The Castle School. He is a qualified Rugby Union coach. Writing came late into his life but has become his passion. He now spends much of his life on the Roseland Peninsular in Cornwall, writing, fishing in his small boat, and enjoying the local beer. He is married, with two married sons, and is a grandfather.