Don’t forget the clocks go back on Sunday 28th October at 2am
A gentle reminder for Isle of Wight residents: Clocks will have to be wound back by one hour on Sunday 28th October 2012 as British Summer Time (BST) ends for another year.
The official time changes at 2.00 am BST, moving back to 1.00 am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) across the UK.
British Summer Time (BST) starts each year on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. Summer time changes on standard dates throughout the EU, so Britain and Ireland constantly remain an hour behind most of central Europe.
The time change means brighter mornings but darker evenings. Drivers using Island roads at dusk instead of daylight are advised to take extra care.
- Motorists should watch their speed and be aware that they are less likely to see vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
- All road users need to make sure they can be easily seen, especially at night, on dark days and in bad weather.
- Children should also be reminded that it will soon be dark on their way home and that it will be difficult for motorists to see them. Parents should ensure their children wear bright clothing, preferably with fluorescent or reflective strips.
Turning the clocks back by one hour on Sunday means that many homes will be in darkness before residents get home from school, college or work.
Unfortunately thieves are more likely to target homes which appear unoccupied.
By following the advice below, residents can make their home less attractive to burglars and avoid the distress and disturbance that burglary can cause:
- Secure your home by locking all windows and doors before you go out.
- Invest in some timer switches. These will turn lamps and radios on and off for you.
- Only tell the people who you trust if your home will be empty for a period of time.
Now you have made your home and family more secure, share this information with your friends.
The history of daylight saving time.
In 1907 an Englishman, William Willett, campaigned to advance clocks by 80 minutes. He proposed four moves of 20 minutes at the beginning of the spring and summer months, and to return to Greenwich Mean Time in a similar manner in the autumn. The following year, the House of Commons rejected a Bill to advance the clocks by one hour during the spring and summer months.
Summer time was first defined in an Act of Parliament in 1916. The clocks were moved one hour ahead of GMT from the spring to the autumn. During the Second World War, double summer time (two hours in advance of GMT) was introduced, lasting until July 1945.
Since the 1980s, all parts of western and central Europe have co-ordinated the date and the time of their clock changes.
Looking forward to 2013.
Start of BST clocks (Spring) forward 31st March 2013
End of BST clocks (Fall) back 27th October 2013
Image Copyright Island Pulse.
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