Brighton Beach - eastern end

While the western end of Brighton Beach is characterised by the private properties of millionaires - see Brighton Beach - western end - the eastern end is dominated by the Marina’s solid infrastructure and a massive sea wall. Along the wire fencing that separates beach from concrete, are a series of memorials, colourful yet looking somewhat tired with age. Nevertheless, these collections of plastic flowers, wreaths, photographs, messages, hearts and figurines remain as poignant reminders of young lives lost all too early.

Here at the east end of Brighton Beach, there’s a sprawling expanse of tarmac and concrete. Generally known as Black Rock, parts of the area  are under development - See Beauty pageant at Black Rock. The beach itself stops abruptly at the giant sea wall, 1.5km long, built in the 1970s as a protective barrier but which has become a defining element of the Marina’s landscape. At high tide, waves often crash dramatically against the wall, sending up towering sprays of seawater, often visible along the beach as far as the Palace Pier. At low tides, the wall reveals a rugged, algae-covered base that attracts seabirds and marine life.

Between the sea wall and Marina infrastructure, there’s a high wire fence, and on it can be found several memorials, such as the one for Jordan Jamieson who died right there. In March 2017, he was attempting to find a shortcut from the Marina to the beach with a friend, but failed to fully jump a cross a two-metre gap, and fell two storeys. Emergency responders provided immediate assistance, and an ambulance arrived. He was transported by land to St George’s Hospital in London but, despite medical efforts, he died on 14 April. See The Argus for news reports.An inquest concluded that his death was a tragic accident. The coroner noted that Jordan was ‘fearless and adventurous’, reflecting the sentiments of his friends and family.

A number of memorial events to remember Jordan followed, and his father undertook various challenges to raise funds for St George’s. The memorial at the site of the accident was established ‘In loving memory’ of Jordan and simply stating, ‘You will always be our angel’.

Another set of memorial items - for Daria Nerush - can be found nearby, also on the wire fencing. Born in 2006, and a student at Roedean, she died aged 16 in 2022.  Her sixth form tutor, Phliippa Borsberry is quoted at Love2donate as saying: ‘I am missing Daria so much in tutor times and in our 1:1 slots, it was great to be her sixth form tutor. I will always remember Daria and the conversations that we had. I will particularly remember how kind and caring Daria was with her friends and her wonderful sense of humour.’