Lucy Pughe-Morgan

I have a background in multimedia journalism, covering news, features, social media, digital and radio as well as training in media law. I am currently completing my NCTJ Qualification at News Associates where I am set to pass 100wpm in shorthand.

Marie Antoinette Style: A life behind the lavish luxuries | North West Londoner

In a modern context, diamonds might be considered ‘a girl’s best friend’, but for Marie Antoinette in 18th century France, they were her death sentence. A necklace containing 647 diamonds and weighing 2,800 carats contributed to a swift end for the final French Queen.

In 1793, a tangled scandal involving an unpaid jeweller, the Queen’s forged signature, and an angry mob of hungry revolutionists, culminated in the false belief that she had scandalously thrown nearly two million francs at the l...

How London artists are bringing joy to run down communities | South West Londoner

London based artists Alice and Katie have set up a company called A&K art where they paint murals in London to help bring joy to the communities. 


Their aim is to spruce up unloved areas and bring life back into the spaces. They have worked on various projects such as a christmas scene on a window or a fuchsia garden on a pub wall and the areas have all benefitted from their work. 


Discussing their project at the recently renovated pub, The George, Katie said: “The George was a pub that ha...

UK’s shrinking pub map takes its toll, but London stays afloat | South West Londoner

The UK is known for three things: our monarchy, tea and pubs.


And in the last 25 years, the UK has lost both the Queen and more than 15,000 of our trusty pubs (although tea is certainly still being drunk).


British pubs are central to how our country operates, serving as a marker of community spirit that can unite an area lacking in cohesion.


There are many factors contributing to the decline of pubs in the UK such as the 2007 indoor smoking ban, the cost of living crisis causing a rise...

‘You shouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place’: UK mother shares birth trauma experience amid maternity ward inquiry | South West Londoner

Despite the UK having one of the world’s most advanced maternity systems, one in three women experience a traumatic birth in this country. That is around 500 mothers a week.


On 9 January 2024, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Birth Trauma established the first national inquiry in the UK Parliament to investigate reasons and to develop policies to reduce the numbers.


In August this year, Baroness Amos was selected to lead the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neona...

The 11 best comfort food recipes for Bonfire Night

The season of fireworks and fireside feasts is upon us and nothing screams Bonfire Night quite like (pork) bangers, baked potatoes and slow-cooked meat. If the food’s portable, it’s going straight into a Thermos or a sturdy wrapping of tin foil to keep you cosy through the evening. If a sit-down meal is on the cards post-display, options such as pumpkin gratin and stuffed baked apples will be a warm welcome after a chilly walk home.With autumn in full swing, the season provides a wealth of earth...

Nine of the best Hallowe’en recipes to make at home

Hallowe’en is the only time of the year you’ll be praised for making food look inedible. An event that’s devoted to all things eerie, it offers an opportunity to play about in the kitchen with ghoulish garnishes and questionable cake shapes.Whether you get children involved or knock up these showstoppers yourself, there are ideas below to tempt kids of all ages. Bring out the novelty cookie cutters and colourful icing, and go wild with liquorice “cobwebs”. As well as producing a batch of glisten...

Record breaking beer range and enticing new menu: The George has had a makeover in Twickenham | South West Londoner

The George Pub has reopened with a fresh lick of paint, enthusiastic staff and a rotisserie chicken station, promising to be a new favourite of the high street.


The pub has had a charming makeover in all departments over the summer, opening its doors on the 25 September under the care of Morgan Pub Co, solidifying its status as a new hot spot.


The Manager, Adam Sandford said: “We have brightened up the pub significantly and refitted it from the ground up with completely new flooring, bar a...

13 things we learned from The Official Release Party of a Showgirl

Unless you’ve been living under a very dull rock, you will have heard that Taylor Swift has released a sparkly new album, Life of a Showgirl. As an extra treat for her dedicated Swifties, Taylor has simultaneously unleashed an 89-minute film, Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, feeding the fandom with behind-the-scenes footage and lyric videos for the album.After experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the Eras tour, fans have been waiting with bated breath for the pop star’s n...

Fears grow amid iconic Regency Cafe opening under new ownership | North West Londoner

The iconic Regency Cafe in Westminster has reopened under new ownership and fears have been growing over whether the change will impact the local community.


The Pimlico art deco cafe was first opened in 1946 and run by Antonio Perotti and Gino Schiavetta from 1989, operating as a family run business until 2024. 


Selling itself as a no frills corner cafe, offering a traditional full English breakfast, the cafe has been home to Vogue photoshoots and movie sets.


Now back in action after a...

Police seize cannabis farm in Twickenham | South West Londoner

A cannabis factory with more than 600 plants has been discovered on Twickenham high street.


Local police uncovered the farm on 18 September after calls were made by contractors working near the address. 


Between 600 and 700 plants were seized by police and were later taken away to be destroyed, Met Police have confirmed. 


No suspects were present at the scene but the report remains under investigation as police continue to hunt for those responsible for the production of the class B sub...

An insiders guide to off-peak Cyprus

Cyprus, the island of Aphrodite, halloumi and Stavros Flatley, is a quietly brilliant European escape. Known for its party central Ayia Napa, the real treasures of the island are overshadowed by the reputation of stag-dos and leavers' trips. However, come the shoulder months, the country has so much more to offer than boat parties and 2 for 1 drinks. In spring and autumn, the island relaxes into warm temperatures and with a fascinating history and local culture to explore, it is an ideal time fo...

Cruising in comfort: a luxury getaway afloat

In desperate need of a week away? I can’t recommend a week on a gulet cruising through Turkey’s turquoise haven enough. And that’s coming from someone who suffers with extreme sea sickness - that's how good it was. There is a certain magic about the Aegean coast that can only truly be experienced by sea and a week on The Salamander was enough to make me rethink my city based lifestyle, swapping it for a life afloat. We should have known from the luxurious airport transfer that arrived to pick us...

‘We dived for cover – my helmet was full of porridge’: What Army recruits really get up to

Amid its recruitment crisis, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is lowering its standards for entry requirements. For the first time, the academy will be accepting borderline candidates who didn’t originally get through the Academy’s Officer Army Selection Board, with the hopes that they will meet expectations throughout Sandhurst’s 44-week training course. While this allows for a boost in numbers, the real test doesn’t really lie in the early stages of written exams and push ups. Once you’re...

Skiing as a Non-skier: taking the piste?

First off, the journey. Pack your snacks: mine were blueberry flavoured madelines and cola bottles - starting my week off strong with some french cuisine, of course. The Alpes are no joke and if, like me, you struggle with motion sickness, travel sickness pills are an absolute must if you don’t want to see your snacks make a grand reapperance in your M&S bag. After a ferry ride to Calais, and a long wait thanks to strikes, our bus took us all the way up the seemingly never-ending, winding mounta...

Flowers of War: A review of an all too poignant war film

Christian Bale in a war film: what more could you want from a Sunday evening? I prepared myself to cozy up and connect too deeply to on screen characters fighting in a war while I peacefully sipped my glass of pinot. Tears are always expected to be shed in war films (however, in my case, anything on TV…The Great British Bake Off’s biscuit week is my weak spot) but this film left more than a few streak marks down my cheeks for soggy bottoms and burnt snaps. I was expecting another Empire of the S...

Bali: quite possibly, the happiest place on earth.

The reality of Western affluence showcased on social media isn't reflective of the entire nation, and what may appear as relentless hardship to us, the locals view as the natural rhythm of life. Their livelihood is hard and there is extreme poverty throughout the island, but their approach to simplicity is a lesson that even the Canary Wharf suits could learn from.There is a genuine warmth to the local people that is rare to find so widespread. Whether it’s the sun, legalisation of certain natur...

Off Peak Portugal - to peak or not to peak?

The Algarve is a popular tourist destination all year round with its white sand beaches, quality food and bustling strip. The warmer months are heaving with families embarking on their 10 day summer retreat - cue brit abroad culture. However, in the slow paced, cooler months, the relaxation factor is in full force given the empty streets and the ability to waltz into a restaurant without a booking. The off peak season is ideal for those seeking to travel but not break the bank - flights are chea...

Historical Novels - snooze fest or underrated?

Historical fiction can be a powerful tool for exposing people or perspectives that have been kept quiet by the minimal coverage in nonfiction historical material. Stories distant enough from modern day allows for narratives to strive for emotional accuracy over historical, avoiding the careful watch of the accuracy police. The stereotype around historical novels being quite literally stuck in the dark ages is put to bed by the rich narratives of royal scandals in the book series by Phillippa Gre...

The Not So Secret Rule of Sequels

There is a lingering assumption that any movie with a "2" in the title is automatically put in second place. Can a sequel ever really live up to its original narrative? Feature films such as Titanic, Dirty Dancing, and JAWS are all household classics, reaching new heights of cinematic entertainment only to have a less accomplished younger sibling trailing behind them, begging to share in the financial rewards and critical accolades. They typically disappoint by recycling popular formulas and mis...

The Modern Mermaid - Review of Disney’s new The Little Mermaid

Disney fans worldwide have flocked to cinemas over the past couple of weeks to see if life under the sea really is better than anything we’ve got going up here. From the captivating movement of Halle Baileys underwater locks, a collection of new tunes and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula (need I say more?), this film is a treasure trove for the Disney universe. Along with diversity throughout the casting, including the various daughters of Triton representing different seas across the globe and the sa...

Prince Harry's 'Spare' and the rise of the memoir

Royal bombshell, Prince Harry, has sparked debate over the most talked about members of the royal family with the release of his new book. Spare has shown how the fake news and tabloid stories that plague our perception of celebrities can be set straight through the memoir- allowing for a real understanding of the lives that have been defined by OK! Magazine headlines.   The cathartic nature of writing has grown as a popular form of therapy, particularly in an era where you can’t even read the b...

The Emmys 2022: Here are all the nominations and winners for the biggest night in television

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards are being held at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles tonight (12 September), where many previous winners are going head-to-head for the first time, causing predictions to be difficult to navigate. As always, we're expecting a succession of show-stopping red carpet looks from the likes of Zendaya, Lily James, Jung Ho-yeon, Sydney Sweeny, Elle Fanning and countless other leading ladies.Last year, Bridgerton came out swinging, and Ted Lasso swept its categories. Wil...

Au Pairing

To put it bluntly, screaming kids, language barriers and 'pocket-money' pay is what you'll get when you sign up to be an au pair. If you don't expect this, you need a reality check. However, this is not to say that this is all there is. Exploring a new city, meeting like-minded travellers and building a relationships with kids who need nurturing is the other side of the glorified nanny coin - and it's worth it. Like anything, the job comes with its pros and cons that travellers need to be aware...