I wore my new bow tie out for the first time on Christmas Eve for the midnight service at church. I think I’ve got the hang of tying it but I’ll need to keep practising. I can still do a regular tie without much effort but that was after years of school and the early years of work. I still need a few more “flying hours” on the bow tie.

I’m not sure the midnight service was the best choice though. I was leading a small group of singers to, in turn, lead the congregation in joining with the organ and I struggled to get some of the high notes. It might have been carols at Loughborough’s Carillon and the 4pm service earlier but it could also have been the tight collar!

I can’t blame the bow tie for that directly. It is just that most of my shirts are either tight or impossible to do up round the neck! I think my next investment might be some extender buttons to ease the problem without having to buy a whole wardrobe of new shirts!