Morris Bufton and Co of Ludlow, Shropshire, is celebrating

Morris Bufton and Co is commemorating seven decades of operation this summer, having supplied trailers as well agricultural and horticultural machinery throughout Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Wales since 1954.

A spokesperson for the family-run firm said that they count TV actor John Challis, who played ‘Boycie’ in Only Fools and Horses, as their most famous former customer, claiming that the star often relied on them to meet his horticultural needs over the years. 

As well as assisting with the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony, the spokesperson said that one of the business’s most notable achievements is the part they played in delivering a Christmas tree to 10 Downing Street. In 2014 the company lent an 18-foot flatbed trailer to transport a large Nordmann Fir from Dinmore Hill Trees in Herefordshire to the Prime Minister’s official residence in London where it became an integral feature of Christmas news bulletins.

The business provided a trailer to transport Downing Street's Christmas tree in 2014 (Image: Ceidiog)

Director Dan Bufton said that he believes that trust, loyalty and the enduring charm of his father and grandfather, who both ran the business before him, are what has maintained Morris Burton and Co’s lasting presence.

“My dad was quite the character and was a great salesman. He never retired, retirement to him was a dirty word,” said Mr Bufton.

“He would take a chance on someone and always sealed a good deal. We often have customers coming in and sharing stories about my father and grandfather. That’s how we’ve built up trust over the years and why people keep coming back.

“We’re proud of the history of my granddad and the impression he left on people and how our own dad took over the reins.”

“We’re now carrying that torch. Obviously, you find your own way of doing things but it’s probably the same as dad would’ve done things anyway.”

Director Steve Burton said: “people who come to us like the personal touch and that bodes well for us. Both my grandad and dad always sealed a deal with a gentleman’s handshake.”