Time change in the church tower: Why a district in Fröndenberg is ahead of its time

HA+ Church tower time change: Why a district in Fröndenberg is ahead of its time

Clock is advanced twice a year instead of once

In the Fröndenberg district of Hoinkhausen, the clocks are turned forward twice a year instead of once. The reason for this is a special time zone that has been in effect in the village since 1892. At that time, the railway line from Hagen to Soest was built and Hoinkhausen received its own train station. However, the station was located on the border between the two time zones of Central European Time (CET) and Western European Time (WET). To avoid confusion, the clocks in Hoinkhausen were set to WET, which is one hour behind CET. This meant that the village was one hour ahead of the rest of Germany during the summer months, when CET was in effect. In the winter months, when WET was in effect, Hoinkhausen was on the same time as the rest of Germany.

The double time change in Hoinkhausen has been a source of confusion for many years. In 1957, the German government tried to abolish the special time zone, but the people of Hoinkhausen successfully resisted the change. Today, the double time change is a tradition that is unique to Hoinkhausen.

Advantages and disadvantages of the double time change

There are both advantages and disadvantages to the double time change in Hoinkhausen. One advantage is that it allows the village to take advantage of the longer daylight hours during the summer months. This can be beneficial for farmers and other outdoor workers. Another advantage is that it reduces the risk of traffic accidents, as drivers are more likely to be alert during the evening hours when it is still light outside.

However, there are also some disadvantages to the double time change. One disadvantage is that it can be confusing for visitors to the village. Another disadvantage is that it can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, as people have to adjust their sleep schedules twice a year. Overall, the double time change in Hoinkhausen is a tradition that has both advantages and disadvantages. It is a unique feature of the village that sets it apart from the rest of Germany.

Conclusion

The double time change in Hoinkhausen is a unique tradition that has been in effect for over 100 years. It is a source of both pride and confusion for the people of the village. Despite the challenges, the double time change is a part of what makes Hoinkhausen a special place to live.