"Philip Eden" philipATweatherHYPHENukDOTcom wrote in message
.. .

However, I do remember reading somewhere that his
research was based only on Edinburgh temperature records
and he never claimed they were applicable to any other part
of the UK.

.... yes, Lamb certainly stressed this point (e.g. in "The English
Climate"), and in "Weather", auth: Ralph Abercromby, revised by Goldie
(1934), the following is stated .... " These 'spells' have acquired
considerable notoriety*, and it has sometimes been assumed that they
should recur at the same dates not only in future years but in other
countries. Buchan made no such claim."
[ *presumably due to the fixed-Easter debate: my note]

I imagine someone else will find a decent reference, but in
the absence of that, if I turn up anything relevant I'll let you know.

.... many thanks. My interest is to make it clear on the FAQ page dealing
with 'singularities' over what period the analysis was made. Currently,
I have used the Meteorological Glossary entry which states ' ... over 50
years', but I'm now wondering if that is correct, or rather a gross
simplification.

Martin.