In message , Eskimo Will
writes
The MetO calculate regional and UK means using the scanned/digitised
records right back to 1910.

I wouldn't mind that if the media didn't then say things along the lines
of "it was the mildest December since 1910, when records began", which
is very misleading. I hope that the Met Office's press releases on which
the media stories are based don't actually use the "since records began"
rubric.
--
John Hall
"Honest criticism is hard to take,
particularly from a relative, a friend,
an acquaintance, or a stranger." Franklin P Jones