Letter from the editor: A landmark in our fledgling history

Tomorrow i passes 100. We don’t expect to get a telegram from the Queen, nor even a polite round of applause for hitting a century, but it’s another landmark in our fledgling history and one which gives us another reason (or is it excuse?) to crack open the Chardonnay.

So tonight, at a glamorous venue in central London, we’re hosting a small party for our trade supporters, our contributors and one or two well-known personalities who helped us with our TV advert. (You’ll be able to read all about it in tomorrow’s Caught & Social page; I only hope Cooper Brown behaves himself.)

But it isn’t lost on us that those most responsible for our success — you, the readers — won’t be there. And given how inclusive we are — not to mention how much we enjoy parties — we would like to invite all of you to a special 100th birthday celebration of i. It will be held at the magnificent Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park, London, on 13 April, and will include a private viewing of the Nancy Spero exhibition, plus a talk about the artist and her work.

I’ll also say a few words — not necessarily a rare event; a friend of mine once said I’m incapable of walking past a queue at a bus stop without making a speech. It’s a sort of live editor’s letter, if you like. The party is from 7pm to 9.30pm, and, as well as the wine, the conversation will be flowing freely.

You’ll get the chance to mingle with the people who produce i every day. Discuss the matters of the moment with them, talk staples, weather forecasts, racecards or how to tackle the fiscal deficit. Space is limited, and it’s first come, first served with a maximum of two tickets per application. Simply email i@independent.co.uk (putting “party” in the subject field) for your invitation. And for those who can’t make it to London, we’re hoping to have a couple of events around the country later in the year. In the meantime, put on your glad rags, we’re going to a party!