Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, renewed an acquaintance going back 40 years when out on the campaign trail recently. On polling day, whilst out campaigning in Hockley, Mark bumped into Michael ‘Mickey’ Garrard, with whom he played rugby for St. Nicholas School (now James Hornsby Academy) literally forty years ago!
Mark, who played at scrum half, at one time captained the school rugby team whilst Michael played as a forward. Mark was out delivering leaflets when the two men met, completely by accident.
Commenting on this entirely unplanned ‘school reunion’, Mark said:
“Imagine my surprise when, whilst out campaigning with a batch of leaflets, I bumped into an old school chum from four decades ago! It transpires that Michael now lives in Hockley, so I gave him my card and suggested we catch up properly over a pint at the Bull, in Hockley. I very much hope he takes me up on it!”
