Statue of Weymouth MP Sir Henry Edwards was beheaded twice

Sir Henry was a 19th century Liberal MP for Weymouth from 1865 to 1885 who is best remembered for setting up a charities trust which bears his name.

Did you know that in September 1979 yobs climbed the statue and removed the head? It was found in the road nearby by a police patrol.

This happened again in July 2003 when Henry was once again rendered headless.

This time it was not only the statue which was damaged but a nearby car as well when it was hit by the falling head.

Council staff had to restore the head to the statue body.

Among Henry Edwards' many achievements were building these social housing homes on Boot Hill in the late 19th century.

The trust administers the Edwards homes in Rodwell Avenue, below, and Boot Hill, Weymouth.

The statue to Henry was unveiled in grand style at Alexandra Gardens, Weymouth, in 1885.

Crowds of people paraded through the streets, which were decorated with flags and bunting to mark the occasion.

God Bless the Poor Man"s Friend," read one of the banners, while others bore mottos such as: God Bless Sir Henry Edwards," and Long Life to Sir Henry Edwards," according to a report in the Southern Times newspaper.

The article told of cannons being fired as the borough"s mayor, Alderman Howard, uncovered the statue, followed by a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

Several gentlemen including the Lord Mayor of London praised Sir Henry"s generosity and spoke of the great esteem in which he was held.

The statue portrayed a finely dressed gentleman wearing a cravat and a doublebreasted waistcoat, clutching a sheaf of papers in his right hand while the other rested on his hip, sweeping his kneelength coat behind him.

An inscription on the plinth below paid tribute to the public services, munificent charity and private worth of Sir Henry Edwards". The landmark cost £800, which was financed by public subscription - a testament to his popularity among people of all classes. It remains in the same spot today and despite some weathering from being exposed to the elements for more than a century, the figure proudly stands with chest out, overlooking the town.

But few people know about this linseed merchant who was the town"s MP for almost two decades in the 19th century.

He started his career in the office of Stephen Cleasby aged 17 and six years later he became a broker in linseed.

A profile of him in Vanity Fair on November 11, 1882 describes his rise: 'He soon made a handsome fortune, and being a hospitable man with a taste for horses, he turned his attention to Parliament.'

Among his many contributions to Weymouth was paying for the town's iconic Jubilee Clock to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.