Sun, Jun 14, 2015
Following the Dunkirk evacuation there are fears of an invasion and Frances proposes the Institute raises fifty pounds to buy an ambulance though for Alison her predicament drives her to desperate measures, from which she is saved by Teresa. She still gets a visit from the police but contributes her ill-gotten gains to the ambulance fund. Meanwhile Erica learns of Laura's affair whilst Will tells his daughters the extent of his illness and the Brindsleys receive bad news - though they have something to celebrate. Pat is freed from her husband's tyranny as he leaves to become a war correspondent and Frances and Joyce finally reconcile.
Sat, Oct 3, 2015
In the Cheshire village of Great Paxford in August 1939 there is anticipation of another war and local doctor Will Campbell volunteers for service but is rejected, to the relief of his wife Erica - until it is revealed that he has cancer. Butcher Bryn Brindsley's wife Miriam, recalling her husband's ordeal in the Great War, is fearful when teen-aged son David announces that he wants to join the navy. Joyce Cameron, imperious chair of the Women's Institute, proposes the group disband until the end of the war but is opposed by feisty Frances Barden, forcing Joyce's resignation. Frances decides to relaunch the group with her friends, including Miriam, Erica, Great War widow Alison Scotlock, vicar's wife Sarah Collingborne, teen-ager Claire Hillman, Pat Timms, a domestic violence victim at the hands of her failed writer husband Bob, and farmer's wife Steph Farrow. Their first venture is a mammoth jam-making project, which is a success, and Frances's revamped group is on its way to uniting the women.
Sun, May 10, 2015
Frances chairs her first meeting, suggesting that the cricket pitch be dug up to make room for an allotment. She is interrupted by Joyce, who spitefully tells her that the hall is to be requisitioned by the RAF as airmen are billeted in the village. Will Campbell's daughters are pleased at the prospect but Claire only has eyes for postman Spencer and is put out that he seems to have a girlfriend already. Pat continues to suffer at the hands of her sadistic husband whilst newcomer Teresa, billeted with Alison, makes a bad start by almost killing her dog. The women find a new base in the village pub where, as a result of a ballot, Frances is named the new chairperson. Meanwhile Miriam falsifies a register of residents to prevent David from being called up.
Sun, May 17, 2015
Declaring that he has no girlfriend Spencer asks Claire for a date but fails to turn up, having joined up. Doctor's daughter Kate continues to romance young airman Jack Heaton and they are soon married whilst Pat is a hit as a speaker at a regional meeting but still allows her cruel husband to abuse her. Frances, however, is convinced that something is wrong. She also suspects that Joyce is using institute money to fund her pet projects and demands an audit - which unsettles treasurer Alison, who has 'borrowed' from funds to pay a vets' bill and accepts a job to repay the debt. At the wedding Alison and Kate's sister Laura are asked to dance by charming men though Alison's partner has conditions. Farmer Stan and vicar Adam, though not young men, decide to enlist, feeling it is their duty.