Spring Forward

With the clocks going forward this weekend I look forward to the longer days we have ahead of us. There was a time in my life when I saw the clocks going forward as a negative; a stolen hour of my much valued sleep which I wouldn't get back until the winter was upon us again.

The banks of the Thames are a perfect place to enjoy London in the spring. Image via.

However, now the extra light at the end of the day is a joyous bonus to me and I don’t even notice the missing hour.


The extra daylight seems to put a spring in my step which all but disappears in the dark winter months. I look forward to stowing away those bulky jumpers and casting aside the slowcooker for another season. I really am thankful to live in a place in which you can experience all four seasons (sometimes in one day!).

The idea of daylight savings was first suggested in an article written by Benjamin Franklin, albeit in jest, that Parisians could save money in candles by getting out of bed earlier in order to make use of the natural morning light. The essay “An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light” was written to a newspaper editor in Paris in 1784.

Fast forward over a hundred years and a British builder by the name of William Willett proposed DST in 1905. The idea was picked up by Robert Pearce who introduced the idea to the House of Commons in 1908. The DST bill was presented in 1909 but came up against strong opposition, particularly amongst farmers. This meant the bill never passed and in 1915 Willett passed away before his idea eventually came to fruition.

Stay on time with this domed Williamm Comyns sterling silver clock made in London in 1907. Click here to view on our website.

The first country to put the idea into effect was Germany who did so on 30 April 1916. This was a plan to make use of best light in order to lower fuel consumption for the war effort. Many other countries swiftly followed.

There was a time when over half the world’s countries adopted the use of DST, but year upon year more countries drop out. Rather confusingly, there are some countries, such as Australia, the US and Canada, where only certain regions have opted out.

Those in favour of continuing with daylight savings most likely include the sports, tourism and leisure industries, whereas those in sectors such as agriculture have long been opposed.

…Or a plainer option. Also William Comyns, made in London in 1915. Click here to view on our website.

Whatever your view it seems likely to remain with us for the foreseeable future so you might just as well enjoy it while the sun shines.

And when the clock strikes one on Sunday morning just remember to spring forward and begin to look ahead to the long summer evenings before us.