Memorial seat tributeto death crash biker

Family and friends of Jason Beech gathered in St John’s Park, Burgess Hill, to celebrate the siting of the bench.

Mr Beech, a father of three, died at the scene when his Suzuki GSF 1200 bike and a VW Golf collided in Ditchling Road, Brighton.

Known for his big smile, and called “Beechy”, Mr Beech lived in Burgess Hill and ran his own fencing firm with his wife.

Since his death family and friends have remembered him with a special meal each year at one of his favourite restaurants, The India Garden, which is near St John’s Park.

His parents, Barbara and Geoff, thought of the idea of the memorial bench at the eastern end of St John’s Park, and friend Chris Scrivens helped site it, after official approval was agreed.

Mrs Beech, of Southway, Burgess Hill, said: “ The bench is something for people to see that he is still remembered. We are a very close family.

“We still remember his big smile.

“When he was alive one of his children used to say to him when he was driving ‘Why are you always waving?’ He knew so many people and was known for his smiling.

“When he was young he and his pals would meet up and chat in St John’s Park and sometimes watch the cricket.

“This was in the days before youngsters sat around computers.”

Mr Beech’s fatal accident happened on June 16, 2010.

The 30-year-old man who was driving the Volkswagen Golf escaped from the impact unhurt.

The crash happened on the busy main road into Brighton, south of the junction with Coldean Lane.