As the UK prepares to bid farewell to British Summer Time (BST) and embrace Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), the annual ritual of changing the clocks prompts anticipation and a touch of nostalgia.
The age-old tradition, dating back over a century, marks the transition from warmer summer months to the cooler climes of winter.
Scheduled for Sunday, October 29th, the clocks will retreat from 2am to 1am, ushering in earlier sunsets and shorter days. While the prospect of an extra hour in bed is a silver lining, the shift signifies the inevitable onset of winter.
Looking ahead to next year, the clocks will spring forward on Sunday, March 31st, reclaiming an hour and heralding the arrival of longer days.
Why do we change our clocks? The genesis of this practice can be traced to the Summer Time Act of 1916, ushering in British Summer Time. William Willett, an Edwardian builder, conceived the idea of adjusting the clocks to maximise daylight hours in spring and winter, thereby conserving energy. Originally discussed in 1907, it took until 1916 (WW1) for the government to implement this daylight-saving system, envisioning a reduction in coal demands.
Will my clock update automatically? Devices with internet connectivity, such as smartphones and computers, should automatically adjust their clocks. However, standalone watches and clocks, like those in cars, may require manual updates.
Working during the time change: For those not snug in bed at 2am, such as night shift workers, the question of an extra hour’s work often arises. Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) advises checking employment contracts and discussing the situation with employers. Legally, night workers must not exceed an average of 8 hours in a 24-hour period.
Clock changes worldwide: Approximately 70 countries globally observe some form of daylight saving time, with variations across regions. Europe, North America, Australasia, and South America partake in clock changes.
Interestingly, in March 2019, the European Parliament supported a proposal to end clock changes in EU states, originally intended for 2021.
However, as of now, EU states continue to adopt daylight saving time.
