Arthur Twisden Playne

Arthur Twisden Playne (1843-1923) of William Playne and Co

Born the son of William Playne

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1923 Obituary.

We regret announce the death of Mr. Arthur Playne, of Longfords, Minchinhampton, which occurred at his residence on Monday night. He had been in failing health for some three months past, and a short while after Christmas suffered bad heart attack, but the illness which was the immediate cause of death had only presented itself for about a week prior to his demise.

The late Mr. Playne. who was the eldest son of the late Mr. W. Playne, of Longfords, Minchinhampton, and Avening Court, Avening, was born in 1843, and was thus 80 years of age. He was from his early days associated with the firm of Messrs. William Playne and Co., woollen cloth manufacturers, which was established over a century and a half ago at Frogmarsh. The father of the subject of this notice was the son of Martha Playne, who succeeded her father in the business, which she conducted for a great many years, reviving its somewhat stagnant condition, and transforming it into a flourishing concern. She later transferred the business her son, the late Mr. William Playne, who subsequently bought Longford Mills, where the business was continued with great success. The firm at all times kept abreast of the times, and when Mr. A. T. Playne assumed control he further extended the peregrinations of the business, and developed it along up-to-date and model lines.

In 1910 it was discovered that the old mills were becoming unsafe for the necessary modern and rapid-moving machinery, and the question arose to the closing down of the premises and the business. Mr. Playne, however in conference with his son, Lieut.-Colonel W. H. Playne, the heir to the property, agreed that such proceeding would be disastrous for the district, and consequently now buildings were erected, and additional machinery introduced, this being put into operation some three or four years later.

The centenary of the firm Messrs. William Playne and Co. was celebrated in 1807, when the employees and local manufacturers were entertained to dinner, followed by a fete, and speeches were delivered by the Chairman (Mr. Arthur Playne), his cousin by marriage, the late Mr. Erskine Pollock, K.C.. and his brother-in-law. Mr. Alfred Cripps, M.P. (now Lord Provost).

The late Mr. Playne retained his position as head of the firm until the recent amalgamation under the style of Messrs. Winterbotham, Strachan, and Playne Ltd., when, upon his retirement from the business, he was enabled to devote himself almost entirely to his public work, and his library, of he was particularly fond.

In 1870 the late Mr. Playne married Mary Elizabeth, a daughter the late Mr. Potter, of Standish House, and was therefore closely related to Lord of Penrith, Lord Parmoor, the Right Hon. Henry Hobhouse, Mr. Sidney Webb, and others famous in the world literature, politics, and art. Mr. Playne was member of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Society, and of the Cotswold Naturalists' Field flub, and was himself author of several historical works, his knowledge of the Minchinhampton district being, course, very extensive. He and Mrs. Playne celebrated their golden wedding on January 20th, 1920, and on that occasion, to mark the cordial relations which had always existed between employer and employed, they were made the recipients, by the workpeople, who were desirous of conveying their congratulations, of handsome illuminated addresses.

Longfords has for many years been the meeting-place of political and educational bodies, the late Mr. Playne being one of the leaders of the Unionist Party in the Division (doing much to secure the return of his brother-in-law, Sir Alfred Cripps, as the member for Mid-Gloucestershire in 1895), whilst Mrs. Playne, course, is one of the most advanced educationalists in the county, having for many years served member of , the County Education Committee, taking particular pride and interest in the Gloucester School Domestic Science. She was also one of the leaders in Red Cross work in the years preceding the war, and the grounds at Longfords were frequently thrown open for Red Cross displays and competitions, Mr. and Mrs. Playne on all these occasions proving themselves most generous as host, and hostess. They were also deeply and actively interested in the horticultural show which for many years was held in the grounds at Longfords, and was that time one the most popular annual attractions in the district.

The late Mr. Playne's appointment as a magistrate dates back over half a century, and for over 30 years he had been the Nailsworth Bench Justices, a position he held at the time of his death and was one of the most regular in his attendance at the Court. He was also for many years Alderman the County Council, a member the Oxford and Cambridge Club, and Freemason - one of the funders of the Royal York Lodge at Nailsworth and one the oldest members of the Sherborne Lodge at Stroud. He was, too, a generous landlord, loyal-Churchman, and good, all-round sportsman, being one of the founders of the Minchinhampton Golf Club, of, which was an active playing member for many years, a keen follower of hounds, and a generous subscriber to the various recreation, clubs and charitable institutions. He was widely known and respected by all classes. Genuine sympathy will be extended to Mrs Playne and her son, Lieut.-Colonel W. H. Playne, in their bereavement. The latter served in the South African War with the Imperial Yeomanry, and also in the Great War with the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, being wounded at Gallipoli.

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