Join us for the launch of a new book about Timex featuring the acclaimed play On the Line by Alan Spence

On The Line, Alan Spence’s ground-breaking play telling the story of Timex in Dundee, was premiered at Dundee Rep Theatre in April 1996, less than three years after the last Timex factory in Dundee was closed down. Based on testimony recorded from a wide variety of people associated with the firm and on newspaper and media reporting of the time, Spence’s play was highly praised and recognised as a vivid record of a hugely significant chapter in Dundee’s history – the social and economic impact of the company on the city’s working-class community, the strikes and occupations which sent ripples across Britain, and the lasting memories for people who worked there.

Three decades later, we are delighted to publish Alan Spence’s playscript for the first time, along with a detailed timeline of the history of Timex by the play’s director, John Carnegie, and a new scene-setting introduction by Julie McCombie, social history curator at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum. Together, they have produced a unique commemoration of the Timex story, which will resonate with all who remember it and inspire a new generation interested in working-class history.

Join us for this special event featuring talks from all three authors and a book signing.

About the authors:

Alan Spence was born in Glasgow and now lives in Edinburgh. As well as being a playwright, he is an award-winning poet, novelist and short story writer. He has been named Scottish Writer of the Year and was awarded the People’s Prize and Spirit of Scotland Award. He is Professor Emeritus in Creative Writing at Aberdeen University and, from 2017 to 2021, was the Edinburgh Makar (Poet Laureate to the city). In 2018 he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan. With his wife Janani he runs the Sri Chinmoy Meditation Centre in Edinburgh.

John Carnegie was born in Edinburgh and now lives in Glasgow. He was the founding Artistic Director of Winged Horse Touring Productions, Special Lecturer in Drama at Hull University and Theatre Director in Residence for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, as well as working in Europe. His productions of Frederic Mohr’s Bozzy and The Admiral Jones won the Fringe First Award and he directed the premieres of Alan Spence’s Changed Days and The 3 Estaites. In 2025, he concluded 45 years of elected service to Equity, the performance union.

Julie McCombie has been social history curator at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum since 2016, looking after Dundee’s industry and maritime collections. She has been curating and developing the city’s Timex collection over the last five years. Having previously worked as curator at Discovery Point and Verdant Works, working class history and the role of women in work is a particular area of interest.

Please note - The book will be available for sale for the special discounted price of £8 (RRP £10). Sales will be in cash only. Members of the Abertay Historical Society will be able to collect their free copy at the event.

Description supplied by the event organiser.