‘All at once’

Last weekend, as well as Easter (Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday) included a clock change and Easter Monday was also April Fools’ Day – everything happening at once.

I often wonder why dates for Easter vary from year (sometimes March, sometimes April).

There are people who believe it would be better to have fixed dates like Christmas Day which is always on December 25 every year.

Changing the clocks (spring forward, fall back) has also been disputed for some time (pardon the pun) with some people thinking the clocks should not be altered as statistics show there is a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks in the first 48 hours of the clocks changing.

Our circadian rhythms are affected, also road traffic collisions increase and so do workplace injuries/accidents.

Personally, I must admit I have found it difficult to adapt to the increased daylight hours in the evening and have not slept well since the change. It’s no joke having less sleep. I even went to bed an hour earlier but still slept in next morning.

Some years ago I had a friend who had no TV and never read a newspaper, so never knew to change his clocks or watch and consequently he missed his usual church service as he was an hour too late and on another occasion an hour too early.

On a recent episode of EastEnders on of the characters referred to William Willett – I had never heard of him.

Apparently he was responsible for campaigning for Daylight Saving Time.

He was an English builder from Farnham and lived from 1856-1915.

A bill to introduce Daylight Saving Time was promoted in parliament in 1908, but no opposition was strong and the measure was not adopted till a year after his death.

As for April Fools’ Day, I am glad I no longer work in schools on that day.

It was a nightmare wondering whether children were joking/playing an April Fool on you or telling the truth.

Difficult enough to sort out children’s stories at the best of times, let alone April Fools’ Day.

At least this year, I believe, I hope it was a school holiday, so I’m sure many teachers and school staff were pleased to avoid the usual ‘fun and games’.

I didn’t spot any April Fools’ articles in my national newspaper, though probably didn’t read it very thoroughly as I was still recovering from Easter celebrations and the clock change.

Hopefully next year will a quieter time for us all – Good Friday is on April 18, Easter Monday is on April 21.

Though, beware April 1 (April Fools’ Day) will be on a Tuesday, possibly a school day or a work day.

Miss Sheila E. Richards

Melrose