Yes, Pydew has changed. I think when we first moved there, it was still a bit of an odd place to be. These days, I gather it is "desirable".
I think if I had my own time back, I'd go back to my first time round Pydew but wouldn't so much want to be in the modern version. I've changed as I've got older though and am far convinced I anything like appreciated what we had back then - maybe it's taken a head now in its 50s to think this way...
Yes, there was a close community. They had concerts in the village hall, I remember seeing Hogiaur Wyddfa there. And there was Pydew Rovers...
Islwyn in my early time was owned by a Mrs Jones. She was the mother of Mrs Powell, Maelgwyn Farm. They are not related to the Powells who had the shop.