Yep, I understand that, however, Pontypool was not a mining town and Panteg was so were other areas leading up to Blaenavon. As for "trust in each other" I would never idealize the past in this way if I were you.
This can be a little of a myth to say the least. It's late now, and I'll get back to you soon, tomorrow evening probably. but a journey from that area to Cwm would have taken a little while, maybe half hour or even more, which to us may be not a long time but considering changes of trains etc... I also think that the post saying that a part of Panteg was noted as Cwm should be recognised as very sound, also, money would be tight and this an expensive way of travelling. Most people lived around where they worked, hence Marine Street etc. built for the colliers, and the same elsewhere.
