Well-known, garden machinery and chainsaw dealer, John Bufton of Morris Bufton Ltd passed away aged 71 on 17 March 2018. A regular attender of shows and trade events, John has been universally described by those who knew him well as a real gentleman, the ‘salt of the earth’ and with an impish sense of humour.
The son of Morris Bufton who founded the Ludlow-based business in 1954, John leaves a wife Dorothy, two daughters Cindy and Johanna, and two sons Steve and Dan who both work in the business.
John, joined his father in the business after leaving school and immediately established a lasting rapport with customers in and around Shropshire, and with key suppliers. He became one of the earliest Stihl dealers after meeting up with the late Peter Baker and continued to build the business through strong links with the likes of Mountfield, Hayter, E P Barrus and Ifor Williams Trailers.
The last few years had been marked with several bouts of ill-health, including the fitting of a pace-maker and severe pneumonia but this did not stop him continuing to be heavily involved in the business, particularly trailer sales which he concentred on after son Steve took over the running of the garden machinery business.
Steve says “We bought Dad a scooter which he used virtually every day, ‘buzzing’ around the business, invariably on the phone doing deals whilst on the move. He didn’t let his health get in the way of continuing a full life and doing what he liked best – closing a deal!”
Robert Muir, MD of E P Barrus recalls John attending the company’s 100 year celebrations in 2017. “He came to the hotel complete with oxygen tent and scooter laden with oxygen bottles, determined to enjoy our special event. That was John all over, one of the old school, absolutely genuine and always wore his heart on his sleeve. You always knew where you were with John, he loved a deal and was never a push-over, but he was always straightforward and honest with a open attitude. We’ll all miss him tremendously"
Another long time associate, Duncan Martin, md of Stiga UK knew John for over 30 years. "When I joined Hayter on the road, John was one call I really looked forward to. I was always made welcome. He was a tough businessman, always liking 'a deal', but totally fair and honest. Whatever deal you ended up doing with him, often for huge numbers of machines which were then 'networked' to fellow dealers in his circle, you could always count on payment straightaway. John was a man of his word."
Robin Lennie, md of Stihl GB, recalls John as a colourful character, totally committed to the heritage and future success of his family business. “I was privileged to be invite with my wife to John’s surprise 70th birthday party. Unsure of the gift to take I was asked to dig out and frame a photo of the Morris Bufton stand at the Ludlow Show back in the late 1970’s that featured in a Stihl booklet which I’m told he really treasured.
Another long-term industry colleague, Ron Miller says that one of the earliest calls he made as a rookie salesman with CSP (Chainsaw Products) was to meet up with John. “I learned from the very outset, that you didn’t sell to John, he only bought what he needed!. We then became friends and business colleagues for over 30 years”
Possibly one of the most satisfying deals that John concluded in recent years was when he bought the adjacent office building to extend his premises that had previously been occupied by the Inland Revenue" That really tickled John" says Duncan Martin "as he considered that he had bought it several times over!"
John’s funeral takes place on 20 April at the Parish Church of St Laurence, on Friday, April 20th, at 2.30pm, followed by burial in Ludlow Cemetery. Family flowers only please with kind donations received in John's memory being shared between The Midlands Air Ambulance and Ludlow RDA. All enquiries please to Victoria Allen Funeral Services, 8 Charlton Rise, Ludlow, SY8 1ND. 01584 879035
