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... Written by don @ minifie-1

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. Written by don @ minifie-1

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. Written by don @ minifie-1

Whilst Claire is shocked to find that Spencer is not a soldier but a conscientious objector David defies his mother and joins up. Book-keeper Alison is coerced into falsifying accounts for profiteers whilst her lodger, teacher Teresa, turns down the chance to go to America with former girlfriend Connie to stay and teach the illiterate Steph, whose farm is under threat for the war effort, to read. Frances' proposal to create a communal air raid shelter is almost scuppered by the officious Joyce until she decides to house it in her own basement whilst Kate receives bad news and Erica, aware that Pat is being tyrannized by her husband, gives her a potion, a supposed tonic, to control his violence. Written by don @ minifie-1

Spencer is shunned as a coward by the villagers but explains his reasons for objection to a sympathetic Claire whilst Frances welcomes an evacuee, Isobel, a blind woman. Will discovers that the tonic Erica has given Pat contains lithium salts, which almost kills Simms, but after Erica has told her that she knows about the domestic abuse Pat makes an attempt to stand up to her vicious husband. Whilst Kate mourns her dead husband sister Laura embarks on an affair with married wing commander Richard Bowers, though his wife is suspicious. Thanks to Teresa Steph is able to save her farm but Teresa is heart-broken to learn that Connie has died and confesses the relationship to Alison, who is understanding. The village is subject to its first air raid, giving Frances the opportunity to test out the shelter underneath her house and save lives. Written by don @ minifie-1

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. Written by don @ minifie-1