Latest news with #Collings
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Marko Voster: rising star unpacks masculinity in the twisted coming-of-age tale 'Adam'
The cast is further enriched by talented actors such as Inge Beckmann ("Wyfie"), Antoinette Louw (" Spinners ") and Paul Strydom ("Reënboogrant" and "Spooksoeker"). Up-and-coming actor Marko Vorster, known for his role as Francois in "Donkerbos", portrays Adam, a boy grappling with the narrow definitions of masculinity imposed by both his surroundings and influential figures, particularly his idealistic teacher, played by Dirk Stoltz of " 7de Laan " fame. "Adam" presents a moving narrative centred around the life of a headstrong teenager navigating the strict confines of a militaristic farm school named Prinsloo Bush School, drawing in audiences with its explorative approach to themes of masculinity, belonging and societal expectations. Following its screening at the Joburg Film Festival recently, "Adam", a coming-of-age story, is now streaming on Showmax. Written by Winford Collings and co-directed by Collings and Liyema Speelman, "Adam" finds its roots in the personal experiences of its creators. The film's script, over a decade in the making, matured alongside Collings himself. "The opportunity found me at the right time. I'd gone down a completely different path to filmmaking, studying accounting and working across various industries, but when this opportunity came along, it was the right time," shared Collings. "I don't think I would've been ready to tell this story a decade ago. Because the film tells the story from the perspectives of both teenagers and adults, I needed to live life outside of the confines of boarding school and mature, to have a full understanding of the world. The script matured alongside me," he said. Describing the film, Speelman remarked: "'Adam' is our take on a coming-of-age story, set in a strict, militaristic farm school. It follows a boy who's placed into a system designed to shape him into a very narrow version of masculinity: tough, emotionless and obedient. "His teacher is the force behind that system, but Adam resists and that resistance comes at a cost. For me, 'Adam' is about the weight of those inherited narratives and the courage it takes to step outside of them and define yourself on your own terms." Both Collings and Speelman hope viewers take away a message of self-discovery. Collings said: "At its core, 'Adam' is a family drama, and I think that's what helps it resonate. While Adam is our throughline, the story is filled with characters and dynamics that feel familiar. People recognise parts of their own families in it. "The common refrain we've heard is, 'We all know an Adam', but what draws viewers in is the range of relationships around him: his bond with his mom, the tension with his stepdad, his friendships. Everyone finds a way in, a touchpoint that feels personal." Speelman added, "I think stories like this hold up a mirror. They remind us of our own struggles and say, 'Yes, it's hard - but keep going. There's something on the other side of it'. "Especially in this time, where we as men are slowly rediscovering what it means to be a man in society. This film also speaks to that, and it asks the questions, 'How do we create our own path? What is masculinity to us?' "In conversations with friends, I find the same recurring theme, with everyone asking what it is to be a man now. 'Adam' is one of those pieces where it looks into that and leaves you with the puzzle pieces to figure that out for yourself."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early voting underway in Parke County
PARKE COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Early voting is underway in Parke County for the May 6 'Special Election.' 'It's been pretty steady,' Parke County Clerk Nicole Collings said. 'We've had a steady flow off and on all day, each day,' she added. Parke County registered voters in the five precincts within the Southwest Park Community School Corporation are asked to vote yes or no regarding the increase of property taxes paid to Southwest Parke Community School Corporation by homeowners and businesses. The referendum on the Sample Ballot supplied to WTWO by the Parke County Clerk's Office reads: Shall Southwest Parke Community School Corporation increase property taxes paid to the school corporation by homeowners and businesses? If this public question is approved by the voters, the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a residence would increase by 14.20%, and the average property tax paid to the school corporation per year on a business property would increase by 14.20%. The political subdivision may issue bonds or enter into a lease to finance the construction of all or a portion of the construction and equipping of an auxiliary gym at Riverton Parke Junior/Senior High School together with other related improvements, upgrades, equipping, and renovations in connection therewith, which is estimated to cost $10,000,000 over 22 years. The School Corporation has not previously proposed a property tax referendum. Sample Ballot – Parke County, IN Early voting began Saturday, April 26, at the Parke County Courthouse at 116 W High St. in Rockville. You can still cast your vote on the following dates and times. Tuesday, April 29 through Friday, May 2 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 3 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday, May 5 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 (Election Day) 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. 'It's good to get out and vote because this does affect you,' Collings said. 'This can concern your property taxes, so if you're in that district, this is a way for you to voice your opinion and get that heard,' she added. Residents can read more information on the proposal on the Southwest Parke Community School Corporation's website. They have a page titled 'Auxiliary Gym Project Information & Legal Notices.' It's dedicated to providing information on the referendum. To be taken to that page, you can click here. You can read a full statement from the Board of Trustees in the PDF file below. Statement_Regarding_Tax_Rate_and_Tax_ImpactDownload For residents interested in the impact the proposed increase will have on their property taxes, you can click here to be directed to the referendum impact calculator. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
13-04-2025
- The Guardian
Man dies after explosion at house in Nottinghamshire
A man has died after an explosion at a house in Nottinghamshire, police have said. Emergency services were called to John Street, Worksop at 7.39pm on Saturday evening. A major incident was declared and homes were evacuated after the blast, in which a terraced property was destroyed and significant damage caused to neighbouring properties. The body of a man in his 50s was later discovered in the wreckage. Ch Insp Clive Collings, from Nottinghamshire police, said: 'This is an extremely serious incident that has led to a man's untimely death. 'The man's family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. I have no doubt that this incident will have come as a shock to the community in Worksop.' A police statement said that anyone who may have been in the area at the time is now accounted for and that an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion is ongoing. Collings added: 'It is likely that the cordon and road closures will remain in place for some time as we carry out our investigations. I would also like to acknowledge the cooperation of local residents and thank them for their patience. 'Officers will remain in the area to carry out inquiries relating to the investigation. It is an offence to fly a drone over or near to an ongoing emergency response without permission and I would ask that people refrain from doing that. 'I would also like to thank all partners, including our emergency services colleagues at Nottinghamshire fire and rescue service and East Midlands ambulance service, who have worked throughout the night in response to this incident.' After the explosion, the nearby Crown Place community centre was opened as a place of safety for residents, while police remained at the scene through the night. Images circulated on social media appeared to show the scene, with people reporting hearing a 'huge' bang that shook surrounding properties. In video shared on Facebook, the entire length of the property appeared to have been wrecked, with bricks littering the street. On X, one person asked at about 8.06pm on Saturday: 'Did anyone else hear a loud bang /explosion sound in Worksop north Nottingham around 30 minutes ago?' A Facebook user posted at about 8.10pm: 'I was driving back from mass this evening, just turned into Gladstone Street from Gateford Road, when there was a terrific bang, like a very loud firework! I thought the back end had blown off my car.' Karolina Ciolko, who lives nearby, told the BBC: 'I was lying in bed when I heard an explosion. I quickly looked out the window. I saw smoke and the car in front of me rocked, and the alarm went off. We quickly ran out of the house to see what had happened.'
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man killed in explosion that destroyed house
A man has died in an explosion that destroyed a house and led to evacuations. Multiple homes in John Street, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, were evacuated and emergency services were called to the scene on Saturday evening, just before 20:00 BST. On Sunday, police confirmed the body of a man, in his 50s, had been found in the wreckage of the house. Nottinghamshire Police said emergency services treated the man but were unable to save him and he died at the scene. Chf Insp Clive Collings said: "This is an extremely serious incident that has led to a man's untimely death. "The man's family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. "I have no doubt that this incident will have come as a shock to the community in Worksop." An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the explosion. Everyone else who may have been in the area at the time has been accounted for, police added. Mr Collings added: "It is likely that the cordon and road closures will remain in place for some time as we carry out our investigations. "Officers will remain in the area to carry out enquiries relating to the investigation and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak with an on-duty officer." The explosion has been declared a major incident by emergency services. Specialist experts were called in to search the area after the blast, with demolition workers subsequently attending the scene after midday on Sunday. Residents, who live near John Street, described "chaos" in the wake of the explosion. They said they had heard a loud crashing sound which immediately prompted a large number of people to rush out into the street. They told the BBC there was thick black smoke in the street as some people ran towards the wrecked house to try to help. Police and fire crews were quickly on the scene, residents said. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Search teams deployed after house explosion Major incident after explosion destroys house Nottinghamshire Police Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
The Independent
13-04-2025
- The Independent
Man dead following ‘gas explosion' in Nottinghamshire home
A man has been found dead among the debris of a terraced Nottinghamshire house that was destroyed by a 'gas explosion', police have said. Emergency crews were called to the incident in John Street, Worksop, at 7.39pm on Saturday and the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service reported it as a gas explosion. The following afternoon Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the explosion came from inside and the terraced home was destroyed. 'Significant damage was also caused to neighbouring properties', it added. The force said: 'The body of a man, aged in his 50s, was later discovered in the wreckage. 'Despite the best efforts of the responding emergency services, he died at the scene.' Officers are investigating if anyone else is missing and what caused the explosion. Images circulated on social media appear to show a destroyed terraced house, and people reported hearing a loud bang. The entire length of the house looks to have been wrecked, with bricks covering part of the street in front, in a video of the scene shared on Facebook. Multiple residents from John Street and the surrounding roads were evacuated and are receiving support from Nottinghamshire County Council, police said. Chief Inspector Clive Collings, from Nottinghamshire Police, said on Sunday: 'This is an extremely serious incident that has led to a man's untimely death. 'The man's family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. I have no doubt that this incident will have come as a shock to the community in Worksop.' On X, formerly Twitter, one person asked at around 8.06pm: 'Did anyone else hear a loud bang/explosion sound in Worksop North Nottingham around 30 minutes ago?' A Facebook user posted at about 8.10pm: 'I was driving back from Mass this evening, just turned into Gladstone Street from Gateford Road, when there was a terrific bang, like a very loud firework! I thought the back end had blown off my car. 'A house in John Street has had, presumably, a gas explosion!' A cordon remains in place. Mr Collings said: 'It is likely that the cordon and road closures will remain in place for some time as we carry out our investigations. 'I would also like to acknowledge the co-operation of local residents and thank them for their patience. 'Officers will remain in the area to carry out enquiries relating to the investigation and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak with an on-duty officer. 'It is an offence to fly a drone over or near to an ongoing emergency response without permission and I would ask that people refrain from doing that. 'I would also like to thank all partners, including our emergency services colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service, who have worked throughout the night in response to this incident.' The fire service said on Saturday that it has 'a number of appliances at an incident on John Street, Worksop. This is a gas explosion'. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 612 of 12 April 2025.
