ITS that time of year when we officially abandon British Summer Time and return to good old Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
That means the clocks ‘fall back’ - and it will start getting darker earlier. Even though it may feel like summer started two minutes ago (did we have one?), many see this as the official start of the winter season.
But there is some good news - mornings will be lighter and you get an extra hour in bed (but only on the day the clocks actually go back, not every day throughout winter, sadly).
Of course, those with children will probably just have to put up with Peppa Pig for an extra hour on Sunday morning as the kids get confused by the time change!
And for those people who didn’t bother changing their clocks when they went forward in spring - you’ll be back on the correct time, well for five months at least as the clocks ‘spring forward’ on 28 March.
But when do the clocks actually go back? And why do we put them back? As we prepare to wrap up warm for those winter months here’s everything you need to know about Daylight Saving Time.
When do the clocks go back?
The UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time at 2am on Sunday, October 25. That means all clocks are turned back to 1am at that time. Most clever devices these days will change the time for you, so you’ve no need to worry.
But remember, you’ll need to change some clocks manually - or face constant bewilderment every time you catch a glimpse of the time on your oven or microwave. Or just leave them until the clocks go forward again next spring.
Why do the clocks go back?
The moving of the clocks was first introduced during World War I by Germany and Austria, and then by the allies, to save on coal usage.
It was invented by George Vincent Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist in 1895, while British businessman William Willett is also credited with the idea.
In 1907, the Edwardian builder, William Willett first introduced the idea of British Summer Time in a bid to stop Britons wasting value daylight hours sleeping.
He published a pamphlet called “The Waste of Daylight” to inspire people to get out of bed earlier by changing the nation’s clocks. He argued that it would not only improve health and happiness, but it would save the country £2.5million.
He proposed the clocks be moved forward 80 minutes overall in four incremental steps during April and reversed in the same manner in September. However, his idea was ridiculed and dismissed in Parliament.
Wouldn’t it be easier not to meddle with it?
Some people absolutely think that’s the case and have been lobbying for a long time for Britain to stay on BST or GMT all year round. They argue that it would increase tourism revenue, cut crime, reduce accidents, save energy and generally make us all the more cheery.
Folk in Scotland, tend to disagree as parts of the country wouldn’t see daylight until 10am.
Add clock changes in the UK to your calendar (ICS, 2KB)
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