Mark Bedford’s stand-alone ’60s cinderblock unit sits at the far end of a long driveway skirted by large-scale factories. For this appliance engineer, musician, and general tinkerer, the industrial setting offers the right kind of seclusion. Here, he gets to grind, saw, restore, and rebuild or just bang his drums without the hassles of disturbing the neighbours.
A shed for all seasons
Mark’s place is equal parts workshop, man cave, and band rehearsal room. His business, hobbies, and work life merge as one. By the roller door, a primer-grey 1980 Bedford CF camper-van conversion sits up on blocks awaiting the installation of a new power-steering system. Next to it, a free-standing 1950s commercial fridge restoration project is in the mock-up stage.
On the floor, an air-cooled refrigeration unit is being tested and rejigged into an ice bank for a boutique distillery startup. Guitars, drum kits, and a PA crowd the centre, and a testing centre for finer electrical work is framed by a rack of bucket shelves filled with new appliance parts.
Decades of experience
With more than three-and-half decades of experience in the refrigeration and appliance trade, Mark is as familiar with ammonia plants
