Every Thursday was market day, and people used to travel to Treorchy to see if they could get a bargain. I remember going there every few weeks with different members of my family or with family friends.

One Thursday I went with my Uncle Len. He needed to get some things for the house and I was bored with playing in the street, so off to the market we went.

Catching the double-decker bus from outside the Smiths Arms, we travelled down to Treorchy. After spending about an hour walking around endless stalls I once again became bored, so we headed back to the bus stop.

As we were walking over the bridge that leads to the main road we came across a travelling man who was holding a monkey.

I looked into its eyes and it smiled back, showing its teeth. Still, being slightly afraid, the man asked if I wanted to have my picture taken with it.

I didn't answer but my uncle agreed, and gave the man a pound note - which was a lot of money in the 1970s.

The man wrote down my uncle's name in his notepad and we headed for home.

I discovered the photograph laying in a draw. It is hard to believe that it happened - imagine if a travelling man tried it today, there would be an outcry!