Megan Norcott

Self-starting, versatile journalist with advanced multimedia production skills.

Southwark News •

Latin Americans fighting for own ethnicity tick box on the 2031 census

A British-Latino coalition group has been lobbying the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to include ‘Latin American’ as an official ethnicity in the upcoming 2031 national census, writes Megan Norcott….


Following the launch of a government consultation on ethnicity standards, which closes on 4 February, the Coalition of Latin Americans in the UK (CLAUK) hosted engagement sessions across London to mobilise the Latino community in support of official recognition.According to a report carried...
South West Londoner •

'This is not reform, this is revolution': London Iranians speak out | South West Londoner

A crowd of more than 3,000 people gathered outside Downing Street on Sunday to protest against Iran’s bloody crackdown on anti-government dissidents.


Organised by the Iranian Committee for Freedom, in collaboration with Jewish advocacy group Just Stop Hate, there was a strong desire for change amongst demonstrators who called for the fall of the Islamic Republic’s regime.


Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, also came under fire for his role in authorising the deployment of the I...
Politics UK - The Home of UK Political News •

Inside Iran: A Breakdown of the Protests - Politics UK

Iran’s foreign minister said the country is “not seeking war, but is fully prepared for war” as he warned adversaries not to intervene in what has become a bloody crackdown on anti-government dissidents. 


Yesterday’s caution from Abbas Araghchi came after President Trump threatened “strong action” against the Islamic Republic for killing what one Tehran official claims as approximately 2,000 people, with 10,000 arrested.


Despite plunging Iran into an internet blackout on Thursday, the Supr...
South West Londoner •

Harsh immigration rhetoric ‘failing’ honour-based abuse victims, experts warn | South West Londoner

Experts have warned that Labour’s anti-immigration policies are ‘failing’ honour-based abuse victims in the UK by heightening fears of deportation in the reporting and prosecution stages. 


Conviction rates for “so called honour based abuse” (HBA) are at the lowest level of all flagged crimes for the 2024/25 period, with only half of prosecutions (47 out of 94) leading to convictions, data from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) shows.


Of the 47 cases that did not result in convictions, mo...
South West Londoner •

A demonstration of confusion: Divided protesters criticise Trump’s capture of Venezuelan President | South West Londoner

Protesters decried President Trump’s seizure of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, outside Downing Street last night as they called on Sir Keir Starmer to condemn US actions against the Latin American country.


Approximately 250 people gathered to hear speeches and voice their opposition to American adventurism abroad, as fervent protesters appeared divided on what it was they were supporting – holding signs that said “Hands off Venezuela”, “Viva Maduro”, and, contrastingly, “Maduro was...
Southwark News •

Heart attack survivor and mother-of-two walks again after new vascular disease treatment

A mother of two has returned to pain-free walking after King’s College Hospital’s new laser technology successfully treated vascular disease in her legs, writes Megan Norcott…


Heart attack and stroke survivor, Trudi Watkins, successfully underwent a laser catheter procedure to clear plaque build-up in her arteries caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD) – a condition that restricts blood flow in the legs and can trigger pain, numbness, and reduced mobility.This technology could mark a huge...
South East Londoner •

WATCH: Cheers to 21 years - East London pub still rocks the stage and blocks the bulldozers | South East Londoner

The George Tavern celebrated its 21st year of ownership under landlady Pauline Forster this September by hosting a month-long festival of art, music, colour and community.The Shadwell pub was ‘saved’ in 2019 when it was granted a deed of easement after a £1m legal battle with IPE Developments that granted it the right to continue making noise at existing levels.Nothing worth having ever came easily, though, as more than 300 applications for adjoining residential buildings have been submitted sin...
Southwark News •

Make your own signature fragrance in South London – we took a visit

Nestled amongst Brixton Village’s incense-filled alleyways lies My Signature Aroma, a bespoke perfumery inspired by individuality, writes Megan Norcott…


My Signature Aroma was created by Dionne Palmer and Frank Kennedy online in 2020, before the pair opened their first bricks-and-mortar site in October 2023, giving the brand a home in Brixton’s cultural melting pot. In between serving eager customers, Frank, 43, discussed the unique personalisation the company brings to perfume-making, saying...
South West Londoner •

WATCH: Londoners romp into Oktoberfest with steins and smiles | South West Londoner

Joy was overflowing from everyone’s two-litre pint glasses (or maybe that was just the German beer), as venues across London hosted their annual Oktoberfest celebrations this month.


Revellers danced to the bouncing, brassy sounds of traditional oompah music in Bermondsey Bierkeller, while pop songs and pretzels warmed up the atmosphere in Oktoberfest Tour’s white marquee on Hammersmith Green.


Across both venues, Londoners turned out in milkmaid dresses and lederhosen to celebrate the festi...
Southwark News •

New Southwark care home approved as borough’s demand outstrips supply

Southwark Council approved the building of a new care home in Peckham as demand for nursing care placements outstrips the borough’s supply, writes Megan Norcott…


Entering into an agreement for lease with Andover Properties, the council confirmed that land on 128-148 Asylum Road and 133 -137 Queens Road will be used for the building and delivery of a new 90-bed care home set to open in late 2029.This follows a 2024 Nursing Home Needs Assessment, which determined that demand for nursing care pl...
Southwark News •

WATCH: Met police raid London shops in ‘largest ever crackdown on organised shoplifting’ 

The Metropolitan Police raided 120 stores across the capital last week, including two in South London, in their crackdown on shoplifting gangs reselling stolen items, writes Megan Norcott…


Thousands of stolen electronics, branded food and other items have been recovered under Operation Zoridon, with 32 people arrested for the handling of stolen goods, drug offences or immigration violations.The raids conducted on 14 and 16 October came as shoplifting offences in London rose to nearly 90,000 l...
South East Londoner •

Breast Cancer Awareness Month looks to a brighter future with Southwark charity exhibit | South East Londoner

A breast cancer awareness charity launched an exhibition at the Art Academy in Southwark to highlight the strength and struggles of those affected by the disease.  Entitled Facing the Future and organised by Breast Cancer Now, the showcase centred around 16 portraits of people that have experienced the condition’s debilitating effects, whether in a personal capacity or as a friend, relative or carer to someone diagnosed.Timed to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October, the painti...
South West Londoner •

Jewish advocacy group set to protest outside Downing Street after October 7 marches | South West Londoner

The Campaign against Antisemitism is set to protest outside Downing Street this evening, calling for an end to what it calls ‘hate marches’ supporting Palestine.


The commitment comes in response to pro-Palestine student protests held across the UK on Tuesday, which went ahead despite Sir Keir Starmer’s warning to call them off due to the significance of the date for the Jewish community. 


October 7 marked two years since terrorist group Hamas attacked the Nova Music Festival in Israel, kil...
South West Londoner •

GALLERY: Hundreds arrested at Palestine Action protests | South West Londoner

Nearly 500 people were arrested in central London during protests in support of proscribed group Palestine Action, on Saturday.


Organisers Defend Our Juries said around a thousand people took part in demonstrations around Trafalgar Square backing the group – which was proscribed in July.


The government’s proscription means it is illegal to show any affiliation or support for the group.


The Met Police said that 488 people were arrested for supporting a proscribed organisation.


All ima...
Southwark News •

Shard set to sparkle as it unveils longest-ever light show inspired by building staff

The Shard will hold its longest ever continuous light show next week as the building gets into the Christmas spirit with designs inspired by its employees, writes Megan Norcott…


The 60-minute Shard Lights spectacle will start at 6.45 pm on 25 November and repeat on the hour, every hour after nightfall, until the New Year.Bringing festive cheer to spectators up to 40 miles away, the lights are set to illuminate London’s skyline with the expressionist artwork of Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, who wo...
North East Londoner •

Hackney Peace Mural marks 40 years as pillar of activism in the community | North East Londoner

The Hackney Peace Carnival Mural celebrated its 40th anniversary in Dalston’s Curve Garden last Sunday as people paid tribute to the late Ray Walker’s work.Designed by Walker in 1983 as a symbol of unity and resistance against Cold War tensions, the mural, which depicts a surrealist carnival march of musicians and activists, drew community members to reflect on its legacy through a day of events.Beginning with a mediation for peace beneath the mural’s colourful revellers on Dalston Lane, the mor...
South West Londoner •

River Thames festival sees children and artists bridging divides through art | South West Londoner

Pupils have been making waves across central London this September through producing art which featured at a festival celebrating the River Thames.


The artworks, created by students from five Newham secondary schools and a City of London primary school, were workshopped alongside artists Shona Watt and Fiona Grady to reflect the theme ‘River of Hope’.


Taking the theme from its name, the River of Hope (RoH) project is running the programme as part of the Totally Thames Festival, with the ar...
South East Londoner •

Overdevelopment debate rages on in Elephant and Castle as new student accommodation proposal approved  | South East Londoner

Elephant and Castle residents are divided over plans for a new student accommodation that was approved at a council meeting last week.The proposal submitted by London & Regional Properties Ltd (LRP) on 10 September comprises two 30 and 31-story tower blocks that will house 1,434 students. The property is set to be developed on land currently occupied by Skipton House, a seven-storey office block adjacent to Elephant and Castle tube station that has been vacant since 2022.The investment comes ami...
South West Londoner •

Donald Trump protestors travel to Windsor as state visit kicks off | South West Londoner

Windsor Castle was the backdrop to a clash between Donald Trump supporters and detractors as the president arrived for his second state visit this lunchtime.


Marine One, the helicopter carrying the United States president, was seen circling the castle at 12.10pm as the presidential convoy touched down on the lawn of Home Park.


A verbal altercation between onlookers spilled onto the street and stopped traffic moments before, with the police ordering people off the road and creating a barric...
Politics UK - The Home of UK Political News •

National Security Strategy commits UK defence spending to...

Labour has cautioned that the UK must “actively prepare” for a potential “wartime scenario” on home soil as the new National Security Strategy (NSS) depicts a dawning era of “radical uncertainty.


Responding to “generationally high threats” to Britain’s safety, the Security Strategy sets out the government’s “historic commitment” to allocate 5 per cent of the UK’s GDP to national security by 2035.


This expenditure will be divided by a 3.5 per cent and 1.5 per cent split between “core defenc...
The Tab •

Exclusive: Sex? On Campus! on challenging Edinburgh’s response to sexual violence

Protestors campaigning for an end to sexual assault at the University of Edinburgh gathered in Bristo Square on Thursday morning, braving bitterly cold temperatures to call for change.
Over 40 students joined members of Sex? On Campus!, Girl*Up, and the University of Edinburgh Feminist Society, holding placards with slogans such as “Edi uni protects rapists” and “We need survivor support.”
Speakers discussed their experiences of bringing sexual assault cases before the university administration...
The Student •

Street Interviews: From Well-Intentioned to Exploitative and Harmful?

Street interviews are the social media equivalent of sticking your hand out the window to feel the temperature- they let us know what is happening in the outside world. Recently, though, there has been debate about whether street interviewers have gone too far in their pursuit of views by disregarding personal boundaries and exploiting interviewees. 


People found gripping a mic outside clubs tend to prove this accusation correct. These interviewers prey on people who have been drinking by ask...
The Tab •

Wow, these are the prettiest Russell Group universities you can officially get married at

While you may spend your time as a student slogging away in the library or downing pints at the pub, some lovebirds are using this time to find their soulmates. The grounds of university campuses are ripe for romance, so what better place to hold your wedding than at uni? 
Whether it’s stained glass windows or open gardens, these universities all offer something incredible for prospective couples. Will you be a Birmingham bride or a Glasgow groom? These are the best Russell Group unis for a wedd...
The Tab •

Tinder just launched a Double Date feature where you can each bring your bestie along

Attempting to draw in the more socially hesitant and chronically online Gen Zers, Tinder has launched its new “Double Date” feature. According to Tinder Newsroom, the new feature allows users to organise double dates online, transforming “the Swipe experience” into a “lighthearted adventure you can enjoy alongside a friend.” 
In today’s dating pool (more like a piranha-infested lake), a little help from friends can go a long way, so here’s what we know so far about the new Tinder Double Date fea...
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