TODAY, Thursday April 29, marks exactly 90 years since the Welwyn Garden City Company was formed by Ebenezer Howard – the day WGC was effectively born.

And to mark the occasion, the Welwyn Garden City Partnership, which will represent all WGC businesses and promote the town to shoppers far and wide, is officially launched today.

The partnership will comprise of leading town figures, including representatives from Welwyn Hatfield Council, WGC retailers, the Welwyn Hatfield Times, the voluntary sector, shoppers and residents, who will spearhead the plan’s for the Garden City’s future prosperity.

Yesterday a stall was set up in the Howard Centre, handing out information on the partnership and free eco shopping bags.

Town centre manager Nicola Kane said of the new partnership: “The future will see businesses unite to promote the town in it’s entirety, pooling resources and positioning WGC as a unique shopping experience to the benefit of every business in the town.”

In recent weeks, WGC has been awash with celebrations in the build up to the town’s birthday.

At Applecroft School, students invited Dr Dennis Lewis of the WGC Heritage Society into their classrooms to hear their ideas on how to celebrate the momentous year.

Dr Lewis called it “a joyful experience”.

“Their (the students) breathless enthusiasm was overwhelming,” he added.

And if you want to get involved with helping the town celebrate, it’s not too late to join the party.

Welwyn Hatfield Council has got �10,000 to spend towards funding events and projects, and is inviting residents to bid for a share of the cash and hold their own special 90th anniversary do.

Fund request forms are available at the council’s offices at the Campus, or on its website.

Hurry up though: the closing date for entries is just over two weeks away, on May 14.