Handley monument

The Handley Monument is a memorial in the form of an ‘Eleanor Cross’ that commemorates Henry Handley, who was born in Sleaford and was a Member of Parliament for the Southern Division of Lincolnshire between 1832 and 1841.

The Monument was completed in 1852 and is a grade 2 listed structure. Despite the significance of the structure to the town and what it represents, some Sleaford Residents are not really aware of its history and what it stands for.

Nor, given its current surroundings, is the setting of the monument as good as it could be. Despite standing in a prominent location in the middle of Southgate and being a key focal point when entering the town centre from the south, the immediate area around the monument is difficult to enjoy and lacks appeal.

We are therefore looking to redesign the public space around the monument to improve the entrance into Sleaford and its setting. This could involve bespoke paving, improved public realm, removal of signage clutter, seating and landscaping and feature lighting the monument. A key element with be to provide an information plaque outlining the history of the monument and the person that it depicts. The overall aim will be to make the area around the monument more appealing to pedestrians and so enhance both the setting of the monument and its connection with the local population.

The Council will be commissioning an assessment of the improvements that can be carried out to deliver all the above aspirations for the monument and its setting.