IT was a Father’s Day gift from my daughter – a beautiful silk tie that appeared to have been fashioned from an impressive Union Flag. A real eye-catcher. It was love at first sight.

Our hot summer had seen me temporarily abandon ties (this alone brought comments from those who had never before seen me ‘open-necked’) and so the gift had remained in its box.

That was until Tuesday when I realised the tie and its unique design were in danger of being consigned to history today should yesterday’s referendum in Scotland result in a ‘yes’ vote for an end to the union. Oxford should be where the tie made its debut – and possibly its farewell appearance.

Persuading some people that I wasn’t making a political point was not easy. For example, Carl, an elderly man from Abingdon, stressed that I was not a Scot and would not have a vote (both points were already known to me). I was in danger of sticking my nose where it was not wanted. His wife, Violet, trying to pacify the situation, complimented my cheerful yet smart dress sense, while their grandson, nine-year-old Reggie, merely commented that he didn’t like ties; he hoped his mum would not make him wear one when he went to ‘big school’.

CITY centre regular, Neville, thought my gesture was misplaced by about 350 miles. Scotland was much further north than Banbury. My daughter would have done better to give the money to the less fortunate. He would overlook my ostentatious appearance once we had been for coffee – the cost of which, like the tie, was on me.

A couple of plastic-enhanced American matrons thought the tie was gaudy (pot and kettle are words that spring to mind) and that it would add nothing to any campaign. One went so far as to say her husband – now deceased – would not have been seen dead in such a tie. This could not be verified as there was a shortage of mediums in Cornmarket Street on Tuesday morning.

So what of today’s date with destiny? The tie, making what could be a final appearance, and I, will listen nervously to the results.

NOW for some good news. Council cash to pay for the city centre ambassadors – not to be confused with city centre regulars like Neville – has been found. These agency employees will still be around, doing their best to encourage everyone to keep the place tidy, until at least Christmas. Last week the future of the scheme had seemed not so bright.

What about 2015 and beyond?

To quote Prime Minister Herbert Asquith when the First World War began a century ago – “wait and see”.