Welcome to British Summer Time

Clocks change on the last Sunday of March - this year 30th March at 1am

Chasing the Sun: Why We Have British Summer Time

Ah, the familiar ritual! Twice a year, we find ourselves adjusting our clocks, a practice that can sometimes feel like a minor inconvenience. But behind this time-shifting tradition lies a history rooted in maximizing daylight hours and adapting to the Earth's natural rhythms. So, why exactly do we have British Summer Time (BST)?

The Basics of BST

Simply put, BST is a period during the summer months when clocks in the UK are advanced by one hour.
This means we move from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to GMT+1.
We "spring forward" in late March and "fall back" in late October.

The Historical Roots

The concept of daylight saving time, as it's also known, isn't a new one. Here's a quick glimpse into its history:

Early Ideas: While Benjamin Franklin toyed with the idea in the 18th century, the more serious push came from William Willett in the early 20th century. He was a strong believer in making better use of daylight hours.
World War I: The real catalyst for BST's introduction was World War I. In 1916, Germany implemented daylight saving to conserve energy, and the UK followed suit shortly after. The need to maximize daylight for wartime production and reduce energy consumption was paramount.
Continued Practice: After the war, BST remained, though its implementation has seen various adjustments over the years.

The Purpose of BST

So, what are the primary reasons we continue to observe BST?

Maximizing Daylight: The core idea is to shift daylight hours to better align with our waking hours. By moving the clocks forward, we gain an extra hour of daylight in the evenings, which is particularly beneficial during the summer months.
Energy Conservation: Historically, one of the main drivers was to reduce energy consumption by decreasing the need for artificial lighting. While its impact on energy savings is debated today, it was a significant factor in its early adoption.
Lifestyle and Leisure: Longer daylight hours in the evening provide more opportunities for outdoor activities, recreation, and social gatherings.

Ongoing Debates

Of course, BST isn't without its critics. There are ongoing debates about its impact on:

Health: Some studies suggest that the sudden shift in time can disrupt our natural sleep patterns.
Road safety: there are differing opinions about if the changes increase or decrease road safety.
Geographical differences: in the far north of the UK, the darker winter mornings caused by BST can be very pronounced.

Despite these discussions, BST remains a fixture of British life. It's a reminder of how we adapt to the changing seasons and strive to make the most of the daylight hours.