Crime & Safety
JK Rowling will ‘never forgive’ Oxford University’s Emma Watson
The 36-year-old actress played Hogwarts witch Hermione Granger in all eight films of the franchise alongside co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.
Ms Watson has turned her attention to studies after her iconic role in J.K. Rowling’s series, as well as parts in Hollywood films The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Little Women.
She had been studying a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford since September 2023.
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It was revealed in February 2025 that Ms Watson had switched to a DPhil, which is Oxford’s version of a PhD.
JK Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books and helped bring the film series to life, as well as helping cast the young Oxford actress in the now iconic role.
The pair have clashed since the writer outlined five reasons to be “worried about the new trans activism” and then received condemnation from Ms Watson.
A recent swipe came in March 2025 as Ms Rowling was asked online: “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?”
She responded: “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.”
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The author did add several laughing-face emojis to show humour but many have pointed to the post being aimed at Ms Watson and her Harry Potter co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.
Then, in April of last year, The Scottish Daily Express reported that Ms Rowling will “never forgive” Ms Watson.
The publication stated that she indicated this after the Harry Potter stars criticised her and other females who believe sex is a biological fact.
This followed the publication of the Cass Report, which concluded that gender identity services were based on “weak evidence”.
A social media user said at the time that they were waiting on Mr Radcliffe and Ms Watson to apologise, “safe in the knowledge that you [Ms Rowling] will forgive them.”
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The author responded: “Not safe, I’m afraid.
“Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.”
Things between Ms Rowling and Ms Watson then heated up once more later on in the year after the latter’s appearance on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast.
The actress said: “I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people with whom I don’t necessarily share the same opinion.”
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This prompted a lengthy response on X from Ms Rowling, who said: “Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is.
“I’d be astounded if she’s been in a high street changing room since childhood. Her ‘public bathroom’ is single occupancy and comes with a security man standing guard outside the door.”
The multimillionaire author said that “I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous” and therefore “understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges”.
Walled Gardens of Wallingford is set to return for 2026 on Sunday, June 14, opening a record number of 20 usually private gardens to delight visitors for the afternoon, including three opening to the public for the first time.
Now in its third year, the annual event has proved hugely popular with locals and tourists alike and saw more than 1,200 visitors at last June’s event.
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A spokesperson for the organisers of the Walled Gardens event said: “With secret nooks, beautiful blooms and surprising quiet in the centre of the bustling market town of Wallingford, this event is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.
“If you need to rest your feet there will be the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine and strawberries, or an idyllic trip down the river on a short boat tour.
“Tea and cake will also be available as you peruse some of the local food, drink, arts and plant stalls.”
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The afternoon is run by a group of garden owners who raise money through tickets sales for charities in Wallingford and is this year sponsored by Root One and Champions.
Last year, more than £16,000 was raised for good causes in the town, and this year proceeds will be split between 10 charities including The Corn Exchange, St Mary-le-More Church, Style Acre and Wallingford Museum.
Tickets are limited and must be bought in advance from www.walledgardensofwallingford.co.uk or in person from KP Stationers, The Corn Exchange or Root One Garden Centre.
Launched by the national trade body, the Property Care Association (PCA), the PCA Plant Risk App helps with the identification of species and provides a hazard rating as well as advice.
The app can help householders understand what is growing on their property, whether it is a cause for concern and what action they should consider.
Invasive non-native plant species can cause a range of issues, from damage to property and impacts on native ecosystems to causing injury.
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Japanese Knotweed and certain types of bamboo spread quickly and can cause hard landscape damage, while buddleia is known to colonise masonry, which can make walls and chimneys unstable.
Contact with giant hogweed may produce a skin reaction that is exacerbated by exposure to sunlight and can result in painful blisters.
Himalayan balsam tends to shade out native plants and creates problems around watercourses.
Daniel Docking is the technical manager at the PCA and played a key role in the development of the PCA Plant Risk App.
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He said: “Invasive plants are not just about whether a species appears on a list. The risk often depends on the plant, the site and the context in which it is growing.
“While Japanese knotweed is often seen as the main concern, plants such as bamboo, buddleia, and other problematic vegetation such as bramble can also create nuisance, management issues or biosecurity concerns in certain environments.
“There are also species, such as Virginia creeper, that are listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
“This means it is the property-owner’s responsibility to ensure they are not allowed to spread into the wild.”
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Householders with concerns around unidentified vegetation on or near their property can upload a photograph, ideally including leaves, stems, flowers and overall growth habit.
Once on the PCA Plant Risk App, the picture will help confirm species using the Pl@ntNet database.
A short series of scenario-based questions will follow, which will produce a hazard-rating indication along with advice that sets out what action should be taken, what to avoid and whether specialist help is needed.
In instances where a survey or management plan is strongly recommended, householders can enter their postcode to search for PCA members who specialise in invasive weed control.
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Daniel added: “The app is designed to be a useful tool for homeowners, particularly where early identification and practical biosecurity advice could help prevent problems from escalating.
“The earlier problematic plants are recognised, the easier it is to manage spread, reduce disruption and limit potential costs.
“Alongside the app’s learning hub, it also gives users more confidence in identifying issues and applying sensible biosecurity measures.”
Henry Nowak died aged 18 in police custody last December after being stabbed to death by Vickrum Digwa, of Southampton, who was sentenced to life in jail for the murder on June 1.
Following the sentencing, violent unrest broke out in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2), resulting in 11 police officers and one police dog being injured.
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The Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Civic, Community and Faith Leaders’ Group issued a statement ‘urging calm and restraint’ in the wake of the riots.
The group also commended the ‘dignity and courage’ shown by Henry’s father, Mark Nowak. who appealed for his son’s murder not to be used to sow division.
Bishop Gavin Collins, acting bishop of Oxford, and Imam Monawar Hussain, who co-chair the Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Civic, Community and Faith Leaders Groups, said: “Yesterday’s verdict in the murder of Henry Nowak brings no relief from the terrible pain of a young life taken so brutally.
“Our hearts go out to Henry’s family, and we hold them in our thoughts and prayers with the deepest sympathy.
“We also wish to honour the courage and dignity of Mark Nowak, whose words have reminded the country that this terrible crime must not be used to divide our communities.
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“That is a message of real moral clarity at a moment of grief, anger and tension. It deserves to be heard.
“We are deeply concerned by the violence and disorder seen in Southampton overnight.
“No family mourning such a devastating loss should see that grief turned into an excuse for further hatred, fear or unrest. We call for calm, responsibility and restraint on all sides.”
The group said space has to be given for the Independent Office for Police Conduct to investigate the police’s response to the situation, and likewise called for people to not place ‘collective blame’ on the Sikh community.
The faith leaders added: “This is a moment to stand with a grieving family, to reject those who would exploit tragedy for division, and to recommit ourselves to the values of decency, peace and shared responsibility.”
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Speaking outside the court after Digwa was sentenced, Mark Nowak, Henry’s father, condemned the police’s treatment of his son as ‘inhumane and degrading’ and said: “We do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension.
“We want his story to help make our streets safer for everyone .”
Following the riots in Southampton on Tuesday night, Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon said some people “clearly arrived intent on causing disorder and trouble” and “while we are forced to deal with those determined to spark fear and division, our finite resources are taken away from those who need it most”.
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