A PRINTING company in Peebles celebrated its half century of trading with all the news that’s fit to print – and some that isn’t, writes Stephen Dubé

Mocked up newspaper front pages featuring some of the significant events of each decade appeared in the window of Elmbank Print in the town’s Elcho Street Brae as the firm reached its milestone.

“I was involved in selling newspaper printing presses for a number of years and It seemed like a good way to mark the half-century,” says Elmbank Print proprietor Ian McLeod.

His six Daily Elcho front pages will bring back memories to many customers and passers-by.

The year the company began trading from the front room of a house in the town’s March Street in 1969, the first man landed on the moon, Concorde made its maiden supersonic flight and the 50 pence coin replaced the 10 shilling note.

The Beatles also recorded their 11th and final album, Let It Be and the bouncing ride-on spacehopper was the latest must-have for kids.

In contrast, and in tune with the times, the 2019 front page is full of fake news – a new supermarket in Peebles, a new suspension bridge over the Tweed and plans for the iconic Peebles Old Parish Church to be painted white.

There’s a note of realism too, with the headline “Brexit no progress, one month to go”.

Elmbank Print provides graphic design and print solutions to customers across the South of Scotland.

Customers include Peebles Beltane Festival, Peebles Rugby Club, St Ronan’s Border Games, Biggar Gala Week, Biggar Museum, The John Buchan Museum, Cocoa Black, Castle Warehouse, Blackcircles Tyres, Castle Craig Hospital, Glenrath Farms and The Forestry Commission.