Mum of Archie York begs vandals to stop damaging Newcastle nature trail memorial spot
The mum of a Newcastle schoolboy, killed in a house explosion, is pleading with vandals to stop tearing up a beauty spot, which is being turned into a tribute to her son
The mum of a Newcastle schoolboy, killed in a house explosion, is pleading with vandals to stop tearing up a beauty spot, which is being turned into a tribute to her son.
A new nature trail is being created at Woolsington’s Parish Ponds in memory of Archie York, the seven-year-old who lost his life in the horrific Violet Close blast that destroyed his home in Benwell in October 2024.
It is hoped that the “Forever 7” trail will be completed next month, in time to mark what would have been Archie’s ninth birthday in May.
But the area has become plagued by “disgusting” vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which it is feared could pose a threat to the plans.
A memorial bench dedicated to Archie has already been damaged by a disposable barbecue, off-road motorbikes and quad bikes have been seen tearing up grass, and wooden gates into the park have been ripped off and set alight in a bonfire.
Archie’s mum, Katherine Errington, is now calling on the perpetrators to show some respect and allow the area to become a place where families from across Tyneside can enjoy spending time together, just as her son did there.
She said: “I don’t want them to win. They have probably been doing this for years, going in there and tearing up the place. It is not just the walking trail that is damaged, it is the wildlife too. It’s disgusting.
“I hope that when the walk does open then this will stop these people going to that area, because I don’t want it spoiled. It feels like a threat to us as a family.
“This is going to be somewhere nice in memory of Archie. He used to love going there on family walks and on our bikes.
“I don’t think people are doing it purposely, they are just being stupid – but it is hurtful to us.
“Myself, Robbie York, Archie’s dad, and Archie used to go on walks there and that is why we chose it for the trail, as a reminder of how nice the community and the area is and how much Archie loved it.
“We want the community to see it like that and this anti-social behaviour is stopping that from happening.”
Archie was killed in a devastating explosion caused by an illegal drugs lab that was being operated in the flat beneath his family home.
Since those life-changing events, Katherine and Robbie have been working with authorities to expose the dangers of cannabis shatter labs and cement their fun-loving son’s legacy.
She said that the vandalism at the Parish Ponds had made them more determined than ever to press ahead with the nature trail vision.
Katherine, 28, added: “When the explosion happened, we were amazed by how the community pulled together and that is what we want this walk to be about. It is what Archie would have wanted and it would be nice to see families enjoying that walk like we used to.”
It is understood that around £6,000 worth of damage has been done by vandals around the Parish Ponds over the last nine months, with anti-social behaviour thought to have escalated since January.
A spokesman for the Woolsington parish council said: “There have been a series of incidents caused by motorbikes and quad bikes at the Parish Ponds, the site that is to be used for Forever 7: Archie’s Nature Trail. This is resulting in considerable degradation to the landscape and wildlife habitat. There has also been criminal damage to the gates, fencing and community seating areas which form part of this Nature Area.
“This site is a deeply important space for both Archie’s family and the wider community. We are asking everyone to respect the Parish Ponds area and help us preserve it from damage. By doing so, you will be supporting the York family and helping create a meaningful place for reflection, remembrance and enjoyment for generations to come.”