The clocks will go back an hour next month, marking the end of daylight saving time in the UK – here’s everything you need to know

As we transition away from summer and head towards the winter months, the days are growing increasingly shorter and dark evenings are beginning to set in.

Mornings are brisk and fresh, evenings are closing in ever earlier and temperatures are gradually starting to fall.

Alongside the cooler weather, another seasonal change is just around the corner — the end of daylight saving time. For many, this provokes mixed emotions.

On the positive side, we gain an extra hour in bed when the clocks go back — a welcome bonus, particularly as the mornings become chillier. On the negative side, earlier sunsets mean lengthier evenings spent indoors and darker journeys home.

This year, the clocks will go back a day earlier than in 2025. While they fell on Sunday, October 26 last year, in 2026 they will move back an hour at 2am on Sunday, October 25, marking the end of daylight saving time, reports the Irish Mirror.

One handy way of recalling which direction the clocks will change is — “spring forward, fall back”. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Moving forward, clocks will spring forward next year on Sunday, March 28, 2027, and fall back on Sunday, October 31, 2027 – maintaining the established seasonal pattern.

Most contemporary devices, including smartphones and smartwatches, will update automatically at 2am on Sunday, resetting to 1am. Traditional clocks, however, will need to be adjusted manually.

This long-standing tradition of changing the clocks, commonly referred to as “falling back,” was introduced to make greater use of natural daylight. The change means that mornings will be brighter, allowing for an additional hour of daylight, however, it also means that darkness will descend earlier in the evening.

According to timeanddate.com, the sun will set today (September 6) at 8.02pm, though the evenings will draw in progressively, with sunset occurring at 7.04pm by Wednesday, September 30, before dropping to 5.07pm on Sunday, October 25 – when the clocks go back.

All EU member states change their clocks at this point, with Iceland standing alone as the exception, staying on Western European Time throughout the year.

In 2019, the European Union voted on possibly abolishing Daylight Saving Time completely after 2021, following research indicating most people would rather avoid changing clocks twice annually. Nevertheless, this decision was postponed owing to the Covid pandemic.

The fire is believed to have started at Time to Eat on Glebe Street. 

A number of fire crews remain at the scene, and the road remains closed at this time, according to local reports. 

The fire is believed to have broken out at Time to Eat (Image: NQ staff)

The Penarth Times has contacted Time to Eat and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. 

Follow along with our live blog.

The Penarth Times will bring you the latest updates throughout the day.

Paramedics rushed to the scene on Saturday morning, but were unable to save the girl

Police have blocked access to a fishing lake, following the sudden death of a three-month-old girl.

Emergency services were called to reports of a child in cardiac arrest yesterday morning, and rushed to Strawberry Lane, Great Wyrley, in Staffordshire, at around 8.45am. The girl, who was on a camping trip with her family, was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.

Detectives say their investigation into the “unexplained” death is in the early stages but that it was an “isolated incident”.

Detective Inspector Katie Gregory said: “While the investigation remains at an early stage, this is an isolated incident and we understand that the child’s family was camping in the area. The death is being treated as unexplained at this time.”

A fishing lake in the Wyrley and Essington Branch Canal Local Nature Reserve was cordoned off by police.

Drone images from the scene show at least four tents and camping chairs positioned close to fishing platforms.

READ MORE: The people living next to giant ‘monstrosity’ they say has slashed house prices and caused ‘environmental nightmare’

READ MORE: Call for urgent action at Welsh hospital after three-day-old baby dies

Cheslyn Hay district councillor Robert Duncan said: “I know how deeply upsetting news like this is for our community.

“It’s important that we allow the emergency services the space they need to complete their work with dignity and care.

“As soon as the full and confirmed details are formally shared with me, I will provide a further update to residents.

“Until then, please avoid speculation and allow the family and responders the privacy and respect they deserve.”

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The three/four-bedroom home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac on Hillside Drive, Cowbridge.

The property, located within walking distance of Cowbridge town centre, comes with its own gym, a feature fireplace, and a wood-burning stove.

The estate agent called the listing “an exceptional, three/four bedroom, detached property situated in a quiet cul-de-sac and within easy walking distance of the heart of Cowbridge town centre.”

The kitchen is fitted with a range of amenities (Image: Zoopla)

The home has an entrance porch that leads into a hallway with an understairs storage cupboard.

The sitting room, which has French doors opening onto the front terrace, could be used as a fourth bedroom.

To the rear of the house is the dining room, which has space for a table and chairs, and patio doors opening onto the back terrace.

There is ample living space (Image: Zoopla)

The living room, which is accessed through the dining room, has a feature fireplace with an inset wood-burning stove and bi-folding doors opening onto the rear garden.

The kitchen is fitted with a range of wall and base units, a stainless-steel sink, a four-ring gas hob, an electric oven, and an integrated dishwasher.

The utility room, which could be used as a gym, has base units, a sink, and space for a washing machine.

There are three bedrooms minimum (Image: Zoopla)

Also on the ground floor is a toilet.

The stairs lead up to a landing with access to the loft and three bedrooms.

The master bedroom has French doors opening onto a balcony with a glass balustrade.

There is ample outdoor space (Image: Zoopla)

The family bathroom has a bath with a shower head, a toilet, and a sink.

Outside, there is off-road parking, mature trees and shrubbery, a lawn, a decked terrace, and a further patio terrace.

The home, which is said to be in “excellent decorative condition”, is on the market for £535,000.

They say they have faced a huge increase in noise pollution and extra traffic in the area

Neighbours of a huge 65ft high data centre built next to their homes expressed fury – claiming it has decimated the countryside and slashed the value of their homes.

Locals say since construction began on the near 50 acre Vantage Data Center Campus they have faced a huge increase in noise pollution and extra traffic in the area.

The campus in Newport will include three data centres filled with computers used to run digital services, built to fulfil the increased demand for processing power caused by the rise of AI. Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter.

But as more data centres are built across the UK, many residents living near the sites have raised concerns over the large amounts of water and electricity needed to fuel the centres.

And those living next to the site said the level of disruption was unacceptable and dubbed it a “monstrosity” that has destroyed the countryside.

Concern was first raised after the giant metal warehouse sprang up next to homes on an affluent Welsh street.

Local resident Lizzie Bailey told the BBC: “The data centre planned would be an environmental nightmare both for the wildlife and the local residents.

“This will be a temporary disruption with the construction but then a permanent disruption because of the diesel generators, the noises, the cooling fans, things like that.”

Across the UK, plans have been created to build as many as 100 more data centres in the next five years – most around London, with five planned in Greater Manchester, one in Scotland, and nine in Wales.

In the USA, where there are around 4,000 data centres, residents living nearby have complained of constant noise, increased electricity costs, and increased consumption of water.

Another Newport resident, a 79-year-old retired lecturer who has lived in the city for 50 years, expressed frustration over the rate at which new data centres are being constructed.

He said: “My concern is to do with the way in which we are being coerced into investing such a vast amount into something which might possibly be redundant before it’s completed.

“I feel that we are assuming that this is a tool that will do everything for us – and I think it’s like surrounding ourselves with lots of hammers, and everything becomes a nail.

“It becomes even more peculiar because you’re looking at a white box which consumes vast quantities of water, vast quantities of electricity, and you assume that somehow it’s going to be good for society. I’m not convinced.

“We have politicians who stand on the roof of it and tell us how good it will be for Newport – and I’d like to know in what way it will be good for Newport?

“I’m the least affected by it in this property – the people who are really suffering are the ones who are actually backing onto it. I’ve been here 51 years and watched this site go from fields to this.

“I’m not against change, if change is in aid of something, but I feel that a lot of what’s happening at the moment is that there is an awful lot of money in the hands of people who have very little intelligence and are looking desperately to make sure they have got a slice of whatever the current enthusiasm is – and the current enthusiasm is AI.”

Another local resident Amanda Young shared similar concerns and added: “It used to be a nice quiet area, but with more data centres coming in, we don’t know what they’re going to bring with them.”

She said her biggest concerns were “the noise, the visual impact and whether it will affect house prices” in her area.

A spokesperson for Vantage Data Center said that they were “committed to being a good neighbour”, and that they will “work closely with local authorities” to “manage construction activity, including traffic, noise and lighting” and incorporate “measures designed to protect the local environment”.

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Kyle David, 20, of Holton Road, Barry appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to threatening to share intimate photographs.

The offence occurred in Cardiff on February 22, 2025.

He was handed a 24-month community order.

The defendant must complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activities and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Magistrates also imposed a restraining order banning David from contacting the victim directly or indirectly by any means, including social media.

He must also not go to any place where he reasonably believes she may be living.

The restraining order will remain in force for two years.

David was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

He must pay at a rate of £20 per month from September 30.

The case was prosecuted by Aleksandra Haustova.

David was represented by Lauren Chambers.

Daniel Barnett, 36, of Hastings Close, Penarth conspired with others to supply cocaine in Cardiff between November 6, 2024 and January 23, 2025.

The defendant also admitted controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily towards his ex-partner between October 2022 and August 2025.

Roger Griffiths, prosecuting, told Newport Crown Court how the controlling behaviour included him telling the victim to delete friends from social media, preventing her from speaking to certain friends and using violence against her.

Judge Carl Harrison jailed Barnett for 16 years and six months and made him the subject of an indefinite restraining order not to contact the woman.

The defendant was represented by Ekwall Tiwana.

Gardeners should consider checking on their any outside taps or leaky areas of their garden as they tend to attract a lot of noisy pests at this time of year.

September brings considerably cooler and wetter days, which will provide much-needed relief for plants that have struggled through the summer heat, but it can, unfortunately, draw more pests into your garden. Wet weather is well known for attracting slugs and snails, yet gardeners should also be aware that it can entice the creatures that feed on these insects, such as frogs.

Most people think you need a pond to spot frogs hopping around, but they can flourish in any damp area, including long grass, compost heaps, or even tucked inside flower pots. As temperatures drop, frogs are more inclined to venture closer to homes in search of food, and they can be rather noisy creatures, notorious for keeping people awake at night with their croaking.

If you’re hoping for some peace and quiet this autumn, Deirdre Sullivan from homeowner group Angie’s List has revealed that you don’t need any specialist products to keep frogs at bay, as simply checking for leaks in your garden is far more effective.

Deirdre said: “Ensure proper drainage and fix leaky faucets to discourage frogs from seeking refuge in soggy areas.

“Also, eliminate stagnant water from containers, gutters, and other spots in your yard. Consider creating dry spots throughout your yard using stones and gravel-this will make your lawn less inviting.”

Why fix leaky faucets in September?

Frogs require moisture to survive, but they don’t necessarily need a large body of water, as even a small drip anywhere in a garden can be sufficient for them to shelter nearby.

Gardeners would be wise to inspect dripping taps, drains, gutters, birdbaths and any areas where rainwater can begin to draw in insects that may lay eggs in standing water.

Frogs are attracted to gardens where drain flies, gnats, mosquitoes, water beetles and snails are present, as stagnant water can become a breeding ground for these creatures.

Taking the time to address any damp or leaky spots in your garden before autumn arrives will reduce the number of troublesome insects, which in turn will help deter larger pests without any added expense.

How else to keep frogs and other pests out of a garden?

Preventing noisy frogs from entering your garden can be relatively straightforward, as you simply need to create more dry areas within it.

September is an ideal time to trim hedges, mow the lawn and cut back shrubs to limit the amount of wet foliage in your garden, as these provide the sheltered hiding spots that frogs are known to favour.

Placing stones and gravel can also improve drainage in certain areas, though care should be taken when positioning them near flowerbeds, as they may prevent water from reaching plant roots.

Dimming your outdoor lighting or reducing its sensitivity can also prove beneficial, as bright lights encourage a larger insect population, which is more likely to tempt frogs onto your property.

While salt, vinegar or lemon juice are frequently suggested online as frog deterrents, these substances can severely damage their skin or even prove fatal, and are therefore considered deeply cruel.

Eliminating damp patches in your garden is a more considerate approach to deterring frogs, and will prove considerably more successful over time in keeping your garden free from unwanted visitors this autumn.

A notetaking tool called “Notes” is helping staff in the Vale of Glamorgan complete paperwork more efficiently, cutting case submission times by 36 per cent and freeing up valuable hours for frontline care.

Jason Bennett MBE, head of adult services and the Vale Alliance at Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “Beam notes wasnʼt launched in isolation; it was accompanied by our implementation of a “strengths based practiceˮ training package.

“Beam Notes allows practitioners to spend their time really getting to know the person, their strengths and personal outcomes. It allows the practitioner to be fully present during their conversations whilst the AI takes care of the draft notes and initial record keeping for the practitioner to build from later.

“We have also introduced compassionate leadership across the department and Beam Notes allows supervision to focus on the person and having a meaningful conversation.”

The “Notes” tool, developed by social-impact technology company Beam, automatically generates documents from recorded meetings.

Instead of typing or writing notes, staff record meetings with consent and let the AI handle the paperwork.

Social Services has been using the tool in adult services since a successful pilot in 2025 and has since rolled it out to children’s services.

A total of 484 staff now use it daily.

Data from the three-month pilot shows practitioners saved an average of 2.5 hours per week on admin, with the top third saving 3.5 hours.

One practitioner saved more than nine hours.

80 per cent said the tool allowed them to spend more time with service users, and 86 per cent wanted to continue using it.

Sian Palmer, a practitioner, said: “Before using Notes, I was always stressed about completing assessments, care plans and other paperwork because I knew it took me longer than some of my colleagues due to my dyslexia.

“Being able to speak my thoughts into Notes has significantly reduced my anxiety around paperwork.

“I can see a real difference in the quality of my case notes and assessments since using the AI notetaker.”

The tool is now used by other local authorities and public sector organisations to support frontline documentation across social care.

Human oversight remains in place, with staff reviewing and editing all outputs before they are entered into council systems.

The property is listed at £575,000 and is offered with no onward chain.

Accommodation is arranged over three floors.

An enclosed front garden, laid with artificial lawn and gated, leads to the entrance.

Inside, the entrance hall includes built-in storage and access to a ground-floor WC.

A versatile ground floor room can be used as a bedroom, dining room, or home office.

Built-in storage is provided, and French doors open onto the front garden, offering water views and natural light.

The open plan kitchen and dining area is fitted with contemporary wall and base units.

Granite worktops, an oven, dishwasher and washing machine are integrated, and there is an enclosed American fridge with ice maker.

Sliding doors connect the kitchen to the outside and bring daylight into the space.

A set of stairs connects the hall to the main first-floor landing.

Located here, the living room features a bespoke media wall and a bar area.

“Flooded with natural light,” according to the listing, the room’s main feature is its access to a private balcony.

The balcony offers “breathtaking panoramic water views across the surrounding coastline,” a standout aspect of the home.

On the second floor, the main bedroom benefits from water views and space for bedroom furnishings.

There are two additional bedrooms, both with built-in storage.

A family bathroom contains a corner shower, wash hand basin, and low-level WC.

Practicalities include useful storage across each level.

The home comes with one allocated off-road parking space, which has an electric vehicle charging point.

Plas Taliesin is described in the listing as a “sought-after” development, with access to local amenities, schools, and coastal walks.

Transport links are available locally.