My name is Sadie Preval and last year (2008) I came over from my home in New Zealand to meet my Yorkshire relatives and to learn about my family history. My two parents, John and Eileen Preval moved to New Zealand the year that I was born so I have never known anything about my extended family. Luckily my Mum's cousin, Dave Nicoll was lovely enough to take me on a  'heritage tour' around Brierley. He took me to the house (24 Hodroyd Cottages) where my Grandmother and namesake Sadie lived with my Great Grandparents James and Ada Kerr. We also visited family graves in Brierley churchyard and other family homes in the area. It was interesting to see the central role that Brierley Colliery played in village life and to learn how dangerous the mining industry was. My Great Uncle Jim Kerr was one such fatality. Dave is currently getting a miners lamp dedicated to Jim replaced in St Paul's Church as the original was stolen.