At the North Pole near White City, ale was quaffed in quantities that were just about tolerable for a school night, and many a shanty was sung to CAMRA’s continued good health.

With a leisurely outlook drawn from its proud belief in patient brewing processes, CAMRA is giving its own birthday celebrations plenty of time to develop a rounded flavour. Supporters have until 1 July – that’s ages yet! – to add pictures of their own CAMRA-anniversary knees-ups to this website: http://bit.ly/dRiYrK

Cheers!

Snow may have stopped them coming down to London for our Victorian-themed  Christmas party, but it didn’t stop Discover (for the National Library of Scotland) picking up Best Customer Magazine, Historic Scotland scooping Best Member Magazine and Tree News (for the Tree Council) winning in the Best Design category. Special mention also must be made of Director John Innes who set an industry record by picking up the coveted Publisher of the Year title for the second time.

This really is a fantastic achievement for John and the entire Glasgow team. Here’s hoping the weather won’t keep us from clinking glasses in the New Year!

To find out more about the big night visit http://www.ppa.co.uk/ppa-scotland/ppa-scotland/scottish-magazine-awards/2010-winners/

The event, held at the Landmark Hotel to recognise best practice in the field of communications, provided us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate the work of some of our talented Thinkers. Working alongside Dom, online writer and news editor Matt Packer also received an award of excellence for producing tightly written copy and breathing new life into the world of accountancy.

Well done guys – and here’s to plenty more beautifully-designed and well-written issues.

For a complete list of winners and news from the event, head to www.ioic.org.uk.

Inspired by the highly commended certificate the guides picked up at last year’s event, the Think team went back to the zoos – and inside the enclosures – to offer an engaging behind-the-scenes look at zoo life and what it means to look after some of the world’s most endangered species. One judge said: ‘The zookeeper’s handbook idea breaks open the brand and shifts perceptions.’

But that’s not all. With two highly commended certificates also awarded on the night for our work on BEER magazine for CAMRA and the digital charity solution www.stuffyourrucksack.com, a great night was had by all.

For pictures of the night and a complete list of winners head to www.iloveed.co.uk. You can also book a wintery day out at the Zoo – to pick up an award-winning guide – at www.zsl.org.

Known as the Oscars of the industry, the British Society of Magazine Editors Awards – which took place on Tuesday – is as glamorous as it is respected. And, with stunt rider Dougie Lampkin riding across the stage – and over organiser Conor McNicholas – and comedian Al Murray handing out awards (not to mention insults) it was certainly entertaining. The infamous pub landlord was clearly as chuffed as we were to see an award go to BEER (identified on the night as his favourite magazine). As you can see from our picture he was quick to share his admiration for the title.

Of course, there is another Tom who deserves a quick mention. To kick off proceedings, Pontypridd’s finest – the slightly more famous Tom Jones – performed five songs in aid of the War Child charity. He received not one, but two, standing ovations, and while he may have left his knicker-ducking days behind him, the sight of him belting out the classic ‘Green Green Grass of Home’ is something we won’t ever forget.

Judged by industry heavyweights from consumer and customer publishing, the competition for BSME awards is fierce. Winning the award in the customer magazines/consumer readership category is a fantastic achievement that reflects the dedication and creativity of Tom and the entire BEER team.

We’ll drink to that!

To find out more about this spectacular evening, check out www.bsme.com

The quarterly, 52-page magazine is set to contain a range of engaging features, covering everything from scenic walks and afternoon tea spots in the West Country to in-depth destination guides. (If it’s on their route map, we’ll be talking about it in the coming months). And, with quizzes, competitions, reader offers and activities for kids throughout the magazine, there will be plenty to keep commuters, day-trippers and families occupied.

So, check the carriages in January for this exciting new read (designed by us), or head to www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk for train times and to book your seat.

You can also find out more at www.apa.co.uk.

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Both BEER – our multi-award-winning magazine for CAMRA – and Waterlife have received two nominations: APA’s Best Membership Title, and PPA’s Customer Magazine of the Year.
• Sing Up is up for Best Public Sector/Government Title (APA)
• The recently revamped Countryside Voice has received its first ever nomination in the Best Specialist Communication category (APA)
• Think is nominated in the Best Annual Report and Best Brochure categories (APA) for its work with ZSL
• Responsible travel website www.stuffyourrucksack.com is in the running for Best Digital Solution in the charity/NGO/public sector category (APA)

And as if that wasn’t enough:

• Group Art Director Jes Stanfield has been nominated not once, but twice, for Designer of the Year in both the APA and PPA awards
• News Editor Matt Packer is shortlisted for Best Writer for his work on both Accounting Technician and Countryside Voice magazines
• Art Director Dom Scott is up for Best Designer in Print based on his visuals for Accounting Technician

These nominations really do pay testament to the imagination, creativity and commitment of everyone at Think – from our designers to our sales managers.

The ceremonies are taking place over the next month or so and, who knows, it might be time to put up a new shelf…

Are you following the show? In case you missed it this weekend, here’s a quick update. Tina O’Brien bounced back from her recent bout of chicken pox, Ann Widdecombe flew through her tango, Peter Shilton exited the show, and EastEnders actor Scott Maslen is currently tipped as favourite to win.

In Townswoman, writer Mary Cooch discusses the Strictly phenomenon, and encourages readers to get involved and ‘keep dancing’, with tips from the International Dance Teachers Association.

For up-to-the-minute Strictly news, make your way to the BBC website

Here we have selected our favourite spread from this issue, all about the beaver – wildlife’s own ‘ecological engineer’.

To find out more about the Bewick swans, check out The Guardian. Head to the Slimbridge Wetlands Centre in Gloucestershire to see other wetland animals or visit the WWT website www.wwt.org.uk.

We are enormously proud to see Tom Stainer, editor of the award-winning BEER magazine, making the list for consumer readership, and senior group editor, Sarah Notton, singled out for her efforts on Accounting Technician in the business readership category.

The final round of voting took place on the 28 September and the awards are to be presented at a gala dinner at The London Hilton on 9 November. We’ve got our fingers crossed for both!