NOSTALGIA: Meet the man behind Sleaford’s Handley monument

Henry Handley was born in 1797, the youngest son of Benjamin Handley (1754-1828) and Frances Conington, of Boston.

Benjamin, an attorney, became a wealthy property owner and was instrumental in establishing the Sleaford Navigation; he also founded the first bank in Sleaford, the Bank of Peacock, Handley & Co in 1792. The impressive Manor House, in Northgate, where the family lived, is a short walk from the monument.

Henry was educated at Eton and Oxford, although he did not take his degree or practice as a barrister.

Upon his marriage to Hon Caroline Edwardes, Henry rented Culverthorpe Hall and became a gentleman farmer. In 1828, upon the death of his father, Henry inherited property in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, his father’s share of the bank and considerable personal wealth.

Henry, a father of 10, was a budding entrepreneur and his interest in agricultural affairs was always to the fore. During his time as MP for S. Lincolnshire (1832-1837), Henry opposed corn imports, championed steam power, and supported steam railways rather than canals. In 1842, Henry became President of the Royal Agricultural Society.

After Henry’s death in 1846, the 65ft Gothic style monument was designed by Birmingham architect William Boyle. It is a measure of the esteem in which Henry was held, that the townspeople of Sleaford raised in excess of £900 to pay for its erection in 1857.

Handley Street was also named after him in the early 20th century, when the Hope & Anchor was demolished to construct it.

The road system in Sleaford has been adapted many times to accommodate the monument; the right photograph from the 1930s show traffic passing on both sides of it, unlike today.

* The Nostalgia feature is supplied to The Standard by Sleaford Museum.