Eclectic Chronicles

Every March, just when you think you’ve got your morning routine nailed, daylight saving time (DST) hits the UK and steals an hour of our precious sleep. Yes, it’s time to “spring forward” again, leaving you yawning over your breakfast tea and toast, and frantically searching for clocks you forgot existed. But have you ever wondered how we ended up in this annual time-travelling madness? ⏳🧳💢

Buckle up—it’s time to delve into the bizarre history of daylight saving, explore why we shift our clocks in spring, and discover what we might lose if we decided to stick permanently with British Summer Time (BST).

The Peculiar History of Daylight Saving

Believe it or not, the first person to float the idea of daylight saving was none other than American founding father Benjamin Franklin—though, thankfully, he wasn’t entirely serious. Writing satirically in 1784, Franklin suggested that Parisians could save candles🕯️ by waking earlier and using the morning sunshine. Cheeky chap!

Fast-forward to 1907, and it was British builder William Willett—who, incidentally, is the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay frontman Chris Martin—who proposed DST seriously. Willett passionately advocated for shifting clocks forward in spring and back in autumn, hoping that Brits would enjoy more daylight hours and fewer gloomy evenings.

Initially, the British Parliament wasn’t sold. Willett’s bill was repeatedly rejected until the First World War changed everything. In May 1916, the UK finally implemented DST, not to delight walkers and gardeners, but to save precious fuel by reducing the need for artificial lighting during wartime. Yes, that’s right, war gave us lighter evenings and—unfortunately—darker mornings.

Why Do We Still Spring Forward?

Today, daylight saving time is less about candles and coal, and more about maximising our sunlight hours. When we “spring forward,” we essentially move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, meaning you get that extra dose of sunlight after work. Barbecues, beer gardens, and evening strolls—bliss!

But not everyone loves this twice-yearly disruption. Studies show that losing just one hour in March temporarily increases tiredness, stress, and even accidents. Still, we cling stubbornly to our clock-changing rituals, despite occasional murmurs of abandoning the practice altogether.

Permanently British Summer Time: Paradise or Pitfall?

Every year, the debate bubbles up: Should we ditch the clock changes and permanently stay on British Summer Time? At first glance, eternal BST sounds delightful—longer evenings, more daylight, and an end to clock confusion. However, would permanent summer time truly be paradise, or could we be overlooking some hidden drawbacks?

Here’s What We’d Miss:

1. Cosy Winter Mornings

Staying on BST year-round means mornings would be significantly darker in winter—imagine sunrise as late as 9:00 or even 10:00 AM in Scotland! Those frosty winter mornings would feel even colder and gloomier, making the school run an exercise in navigating darkness.

2. Natural Rhythm

Our bodies rely on natural cues — 🌅 sunrise and sunset 🌇 — to regulate our circadian rhythms. Permanently shifting clocks could make winter mornings feel painfully unnatural, negatively affecting sleep patterns, productivity, and overall mood.

3. Regional Challenges

While southern parts of the UK might cope well with permanent BST, northern regions would face tougher adjustments, with significantly darker mornings. It’s already tough being far north—would we really want to add even more gloom?

But Imagine the Gains:

On the brighter side (pun very much intended), permanent summer time would encourage more outdoor activities, potentially boosting our mental health, local economies, and even cutting down energy consumption. More sunshine could mean happier people—and maybe even fewer grumbles about the British weather! (although unlikely)

Tick Tock, Make Up Your Mind Already!

Every time we spring forward, the debate resurfaces—should we stay, or should we keep shifting? Ultimately, daylight saving time remains an oddly charming quirk of British life. It’s simultaneously annoying, beloved, and a great conversation starter every March.

For now, as you drag yourself bleary-eyed out of bed to reset the clocks, spare a thought for William Willett, whose tireless advocacy gave you those blissfully sunny evenings—and maybe raise a glass to him in the pub garden. Cheers, William!

Now, go find that kitchen clock—your microwave won’t reset itself! ⏰

REMINDER:When do the clocks change?

The clocks go forward on the 30th of March

Year	Clocks go forward	Clocks go back
2025	30 March	26 October
2026	29 March	25 October
2027	28 March	31 October