At 2am on the 31st March our clocks will go forward one hour, symbolising the start of the British summer time (BST). The mornings will be darker but we will be able to enjoy more daylight in the evenings this known as Daylight Saving Time. We have all been through the procedure of adjusting our clocks, watches and appliances. But why do we actually need to adjust the time at all?
Day light saving was proposed in 1895 and was first used during the First World War to conserve fuel. It has been used at different times by different countries since then. During the energy crisis of the 1970′s daylight saving was heavily implemented and has been used consistently throughout Europe and Northern America ever since. The practise mainly revolves around making the most of the daylight we have depending on the time of the year.
Our modern daylight saving time is scheduled and adjusted at specific times in the Spring and in the Autumn, but modern society was not the first to implement this procedure. Ancient civilisation used to adjust their daily tasks around the sun’s movement, dividing daylight time into 12 hours regardless of the length, meaning hours in the summertime were longer.
Benjamin Franklin, during his time as an American envoy based in France, suggested and published a letter stating that people should economise on candles by rising at first light and going to bed when dark. He even produced a satire on the proposed taxing of shutters, rationing candles and even ringing church bells and fire cannons at sunrise. Hence the English proverb wrote by Franklin “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”.
In modern day society the changing of the clocks has its pros and cons. People argue that having more daylight in the evening it’s advantageous for those in retail and who work outdoors, as well and people who participate in certain leisure activities after work, meaning it promotes physical and psychological health. People against suggest that the actual energy savings are inconclusive and hinders people who carry out morning activities. It is also considered disruptive having to change clocks and the losing and gaining of hours. Farm workers and travel workers are the people who are most opposed to the changes.
Whether the hour going forward symbolises the start of the summer and the opportunity to make the most of sunny evening or if the changes disturbs your lifestyle we will be springing into summer on the 31st March so don’t forget the adjust your watches. If you struggle please feel free to pop into our Rudells showroom on Darlington Street, Wolverhampton or High Street, Harborne and we will happily show you how to adjust your watches and clocks.