A PHOTOGRAPHER who captured his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s is displaying his work in Brighton.

Bertie Taylor’s photographs are based around Ronald Taylor when he had the condition in the years before his death and will be shown as part of the Artists Open House’s Festival.

An actor, Ronald fulfilled a life ambition when he played a small role in Eastenders in 2004 at the age of 76.

He also appeared in a scene in the 2005 film Finding Neverland, starring Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp.

Bertie said the experience of documenting his grandfather’s alzheimers helped him to “grow up and appreciate what’s really important”.

“I began to find value in things I never would have before,” he added. “I discovered how something as simple as taking my grandfather for a country drive would mean so much to him and make such a lasting impression on me.

“He would quote some of his favourite poetry as we would drive through the Sussex Downs – it’s moments like that I will always treasure.”

Entitled Remembering Me, Bertie’s exhibition focuses on his grandfather’s belongings that hold special significance in the relationship of the two men.

The photographer makes use of reflections and shadows to capture his father’s feelings of disorientation caused by the Alzheimer’s.

A short film, also titled Remembering Me, will feature clips of Ronald Taylor’s acting work from the BBC’s archive as well as his stage performances.

He directed a number of plays for the Rottingdean Drama Society.

Bertie said the process was a way of “trying to understand what was happening to my grandfather. I wanted to do something as a kind of tribute and also to raise a bit of awareness about the condition.

“At the end of his life and as Alzheimer’s disease began to take a tighter grip, we learnt certain things would help relax him and even bring back his memory, even if only for a passing moment.”

Bertie described Ronald as “one of life’s great romantics” and said he had “the soul of a poet”. He added: “Some of his last words to me and my father were ‘once more to the breach dear friends’. He was still performing for us right up until to the very end.”

Ronald became a professional actor at the age of 76 after becoming popular with casting agents and landing the Eastenders role.

“Sometimes people would recognise him in the supermarket, which I think he quite liked,” said Bertie.

Remembering Me is showing at 1 Glover’s Yard, Brighton, this Saturday and Sunday from 10am tp 5pm. It is also on May 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.

For more information visit aoh.org.uk.