Brighton heritage champion dies aged 74 after suffering with MND

Roger Amerena, born and bred in Brighton, died at the city's Royal Sussex County Hospital on June 27, aged 74.

Often spotted in his top hat and tails, he was the chairman of Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission (BHHC) and a pivotal figure in the city’s heritage for many years.

Roger, who lived in Montpelier Road, won a number of battles to save historic features and buildings in the city, including Puget’s Cottage in Hannington’s Lane which is the oldest commercial building in the area.

The heritage seafront lights which Roger campaigned to save

He was also campaigned for Brighton and Hove City Council to create a Heritage Asset Register after Victorian seafront lights which were sent away for restoration turned up on Facebook marketplace.

Former Argus writer Adam Trimingham said: “Roger was passionate about good architecture and design. He really made that his number one priority.

“He carried on working and held meetings even when he was very ill for much of this year.”

Adam Trimingham said Roger was 'passionate' about architecture and design

It is said Roger had an almost photographic memory for the city’s heritage including names, dates, people and places and he could tell you the history of pretty well every cobble, coalhole cover and letter box.

READ MORE: Heritage experts shocked as seafront railings are spotted up for sale on social media

In a letter to members and associates of BHHC, Laura King, honorary secretary of the commission said: “It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Roger Amerena following an eight-month battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

“Its first cruel blow being to rob Roger of his distinctive voice, although he carried on his heritage work right to the end via email, text and his ‘talkboard’, a tablet which translated his words into speech.”

The Brighton and Hove Commemorative Plaque Panel was another passion for Roger, who made it his mission to transform all plaque approvals into memorable blue plaque unveiling ceremonies.

Adam added: “He managed to make Brighton and Hove the place for plaques with more than 100 ranging from Winston Churchill to the Hilton Sisters.”

Roger Amerena, right, at the unveiling of the plaque to John Sullivan, writer of Only Fools and Horses (Image: The Argus)

Roger meticulously researched and invited the descendants of the people being celebrated to attend and say a few words before posing for photographs with the mayor and others outside their ancestor’s property.

Recent plaques unveiled include one for John Sullivan, the writer of Only Fools and Horses who owned a flat in Prince of Wales Court in Kingsway, Hove.

In his last couple of years Roger was involved in the film Vindication Swim, the story of the first British woman to swim the Channel Mercedes Gleitze.

Roger Amerena was known for his top hat and tail coat (Image: BHHC)

Roger had also recently been invited to be a judge at the prestigious Sussex Heritage Awards, which he very much enjoyed, despite his illness.

“Roger’s greatest wish was that the Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission should continue on after he was gone,” Laura said.

“A lot of us are currently working hard behind the scenes to ensure both the commission and his legacy not only carry on but go from strength to strength as he would have wanted.”