Nature trail to honour boy killed in house blast

Archie York died in an explosion sparked by a cannabis lab beneath his family home

A nature trail is to be created in memory of a seven-year-old boy killed in a house explosion.

Archie York died in the blast caused by an illegal cannabis factory, which destroyed his family home in Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle, in October last year.

Reece Galbraith, 33, was jailed for 14 years in June for causing the explosion, which also killed 35-year-old Jason Laws.

Archie's mother Katherine Errington said the creation of Archie's Nature Trail at Parish Ponds in Woolsington, would be a place to remember his "joyful spirit".

"It is something personal," the 28-year-old said.

"Even people who didn't know Archie will be able to know what a fun-loving chap he was by going on that trail."

The route, supported by Newcastle City Council, is being created in an area the youngster used to enjoy exploring with his parents, baby brother and their golden retrievers.

Archie York with his parents Katherine and Robbie

Ms Errington told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she hoped it would be completed in time for what would have been her son's ninth birthday next May.

It will be decorated with artwork of his favourite Marvel superheroes.

City council leader, Karen Kilgour, said the trail would build "something positive from a crime that caused needless devastation".

"Archie's death was a tragedy for our city and our hearts remain with Katherine, Robbie, Finley, and all who loved him.

"By supporting the family in creating this nature trail, we hope to ensure Archie's memory lives on in a way that brings people together, celebrates his love of nature, and offers a space for reflection and joy."

Katherine said it was "really hard" to go back to their former family home

Ms Errington and Archie's father, Robbie York, survived the explosion alongside baby son Finley, who she described as a "total miracle" and a "rock that keeps the family going."

She said going back to the site of their former home was "really hard".

"We still feel so empty. I just cannot believe it is a year, with everything that has gone on."

Galbraith had been using the flat below the family home as a "highly dangerous" drugs lab alongside Jason Laws, to produce so-called cannabis shatter.

Reece Galbraith was jailed after he admitted two counts of manslaughter

Ms Errington said her focus was now to "make sure no other family goes through what we have" by working with city authorities to help raise awareness of the lethal consequences of shatter labs.

The council and the Safe Newcastle Partnership are creating a training resource to help people spot the signs of possible labs.

"You just feel sickened by it all, that some people can choose to make shatter, choose to do illegal activity knowing full well that families are living upstairs," Ms Errington said.

"They would have heard Archie running around on the floorboards, knowing that he was up and playing.

"They would have heard Finley crying and known he was there.

"They didn't care, all they cared about was making a profit."