In uk.sci.weather on Fri, 7 Dec 2007, Philip Eden
wrote :

There is another reading of 18.3C (65F) as a maximum for the.7th
December 1900 - this too is under scrutiny - what do you think?

The monthly highs in the Midlands range from 55°F at Edgbaston
to 59°F at Cirencester ... none of them on the 7th, which suggests
another reading or transcription error.

57F in Cheltenham on 21/12/1900.
--
Paul Hyett, Cheltenham (change 'invalid83261' to 'blueyonder' to email me)