Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Don't Forget To Alter Your Clock !

Sharing an article by David Hughes 

When do the clocks go forward? 

Date the clocks change in March 2023 and why the UK has British Summer Time

The clocks always go forward at 1.00am on the final Sunday of March – this means in 2023 they will change on Sunday 26 March

The clocks always change in the middle of the night at the weekend to minimise disruption

You wouldn’t know it from the weather, but after the vernal equinox spring has technically now arrived in the UK.

As mornings get lighter and the days longer, the next milestone comes when the clocks change, something which happens twice every year but still manages to catch some people out.

These days, your smartphone updates the time automatically, but when the clocks go forward this weekend you’ll still have to adjust any analogue timepieces you have – here’s everything you need to know.

When do the clocks go forward?

The clocks always go forward at 1.00am on the final Sunday of March – this means in 2023 they will change on Sunday 26 March.

Switching to BST means we will get more daylight in the evening, but sadly your Sunday morning lie-in will be cut short by an hour on the day itself.

The change always happens on a weekend, in the middle of the night, to ensure that there is limited disruption of schools and businesses.

In autumn the clocks go back again on the final Sunday of October at 2.00am, meaning they will change on 29 October 2023.

This signals the end of BST, or Daylight Saving Time (DST), and means the UK reverts to GMT until the spring, the standard time zone against which all others in the world are referenced.

That change gives us an extra precious hour of daylight in the dark autumn and winter months, with the added bonus of an extra hour in bed on the Sunday morning when the clocks change.

Why do the clocks change?

Initially, the clocks were changed to save energy and get people outside. Why waste electricity when there is perfectly good daylight to be used?

The campaign for British Summer Time came about at the beginning of the 20th century. Moving the clocks forward in the summer months would give us darker mornings but lighter, longer evenings.

The idea was proposed in Britain by builder William Willett, says Dr Richard Dunn, senior curator for the History of Science at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

Willett was “incensed at the ‘waste’ of useful daylight during the summer. Though the sun had been up for hours as he rode his horse through Chislehurst and Petts Wood, people were still asleep in bed”.

British Summer Time was adopted in Britain in 1916 to save fuel and money.

Since then, Britain toyed with moving the clocks a number of times, including bringing them forward two hours ahead of GMT during the Second World War. They were also brought forward for periods in the spring of 1947, in line with fuel shortages.

There was an experiment, between 1968 and 1971, which kept clocks one hour ahead of GMT all year round.

Britain then reverted to our now familiar system of GMT in the winter and summer time in between March and October.

Could British Summer Time be scrapped?

Some have campaigned for British time to be brought in line with other European countries to reduce accidents, which would make it two hours ahead of GMT in the summer and one hour ahead in the winter.

Errol Taylor, the chief executive of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said in 2019: “Clock changes were first introduced in 1916 to reflect the needs of a nation at war. However, our priority now should be the prevention of road accidents that cause serious injury and death."

“We know that the clock change kills people. During the working week, casualty rates peak at 8am and 10am and 3pm and 7pm, with the afternoon peak being higher. Road casualty rates increase with the arrival of darker evenings and worsening weather conditions."

“And it is vulnerable road users – such as children on their way home from school and cyclists – who would experience the most benefit. Anything we can do to bring these rates down has to be worth it."

“While we respect the views of those that want to keep the current system, we must not lose sight of the fact that lives are at stake.”
Words and image above (with relevant links) can be seen here

Why not celebrate the arrival of BST and enjoy this Saturday Supper Dish 😋

Sausage and Bean Casserole

more details here

This blog brings a variety of articles and recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan