Gnosis is the Greek word for knowledge and also the name of an international business initiative spearheaded by The University of Liverpool’s Business Management School.

We’ve been working closely with the university over the summer and last week we were in London managing a two day conference to share the initiative’s research findings. The event attracted academics from as far afield as Australia and North America as well as a large European contingent and some very influential business speakers.

The highlight of the events programme for me was a presentation by Bolton-born chef and restauranteur Paul Heathcote. It was obviously geared to a business audience but his passion for food, service and staff shone through and not one delegate asked him what he thought of Gordon Ramsay…

The conference was held at the Melia White House hotel near Regents Park which is a great location for visitors wanting to take in the city’s sights and attractions. This was one of the main reasons for choosing the hotel along with the good quality breakout rooms it provides.

The hotel’s events staff were helpful but we were all shocked at the price of the wireless internet access which was an unbelievable £25 a day. When are hotels going to learn that fair pricing an essential like this would be great for guests and a real influencer for those considering booking their conference facilities?

On the bright side, we were really pleased to have Dino back on the Don’t Panic team following his year long travels around Asia and South America. It’s just a shame he didn’t shut up about it…

Big thanks also go out to Gary of LAS for ensuring the smooth running of all things technical at the conference.

I can’t help thinking how young UB40 look in this live clip of their first ever single from 1980.

Memories of last year’s New Islington Festival consist of torrential rain, Glastonbury grade mud and barely adequate waterproofs. Good weather makes such a difference when you’re working outdoors so thankfully this year the summer washout paused for a day and at times even the sun came out.

Our events company was looking after the street theatre and arts activities at what is billed as an 'urban folk festival for urban folk' that takes place on redevelopment land on the outskirts of Manchester city centre. Unlike 2006, this time round the event attracted thousands of festival goers who also enjoyed live music, DJ’s, poetry and dance courtesy of Ear to the Ground.

Our input included lantern making, clay and marbling workshops alongside family crowd pullers like four incredibly lifelike mountain gorillas and their eccentric keeper, the cute and other worldly backpackers otherwise known as the Flying Buttresses and a show for younger visitors inside a 50 foot whale. We also brought back sand sculptor Andrew Baynes who sat on his arse again all day fashioning a small flock of much photographed sheep.

My favourite act of all had to be Joan and John from St Joan Ambulance who stumbled around the festival site causing medically inept mayhem and leaving the crowd in absolute stitches. Much to our personal amusement they even tried to deliver Nicky’s baby on Old Mill Street and anyone tuning in to All FM would have heard what was probably the most surreal radio interview ever. These guys are really that good so if you’re looking for a great walkabout act just get them booked.

As with last year’s event, the festival closed with the launch of almost one thousand candle lit lanterns onto the canal basin courtesy of Urban Canvas who’d spent the day making them with visitors in one of the arts marquees. The pictures speak for themselves and as the sun went down over New Islington, there was a great deal of pride amongst everyone involved in making it such a memorable day.

Here’s a bit of The Beta Band for all you boutique festival types.