A new Kubota tractor at Elford Hall Gardens

A team of determined volunteers who restored a Georgian Grade II listed walled garden to its former glory in the village of Elford, Staffordshire, have purchased a Kubota compact tractor thanks to a grant from logistics giant UPS.

Elford Walled Garden, which was officially opened by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has been brought back to life thanks to Heritage Lottery funding and the efforts of the local community.

The purchase of Kubota's B Series Tractor, which will help with the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the site, was secured through The UPS Foundation, which was established to invest in and improve the global communities that UPS operate in and enhance its corporate social responsibility.

Steve Clarke, UPS Contract Logistics Division Manager, commented: "The hard work of our community to transform a once derelict site into a fantastic environment for locals and the wider public has been second to none.

But in order for the gardens to be maintained, we needed a high performance and efficient compact tractor that was not only easy to operate, but was also comfortable to use for extended periods of time.

"On behalf of everyone in the village, we would like to thank The UPS Foundation for its generous grant. It's a massive reward for the community's efforts and is being put to great use through the purchase of the Kubota machine."

The Elford community team approached local machinery dealer Hughie Willett - a specialist in horticulture and groundcare equipment in the Midlands - who advised that Kubota's B Series tractor was the ideal choice for the site.

Hughie Willett, owner of Hughie Willett Machinery Ltd, said: "Kubota machines are the most reliable and efficient on the market and the B Series in particular offers a lightweight, powerful and compact solution that gives users the versatility to carry out a wide range of tasks effortlessly.

"Another key factor in the selection process was the fact that lots of different volunteers would be using the tractor, therefore simple operational control was critical. Kubota's B Series met and exceeded the community group's requirements, making it the right machine for the job."

For more information on Kubota and its extensive range of solutions for the construction, groundcare and agriculture sectors visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.