Jambusters : the story of the Women's Institute in the Second World War

The compelling true story that inspired the forthcoming major ITV drama series HOME FIRES. The Second World War was the WI's finest hour. The whole of its previous history - two decades of educating, entertaining and supporting women and campaigning on women's issues - culminated in the enormous collective responsibility felt by the members to 'do their bit' for Britain. With all the vigour, energy and enthusiasm at their disposal, a third of a million country women set out to make their lives and the lives of those around them more bearable in what they described as 'a period of insanity'. Through archive material and interviews with many WI members, Julie Summers takes us behind the scenes, revealing their nitty-gritty approach to the daily problems presented by the conflict. Jambusters is the fascinating story of how the Women's Institute pulled rural Britain through the war with pots of jam and a spirit of make-do-and-mend. The Second World War was the WI's finest hour. The whole of its previous history - two decades of educating, entertaining and supporting women and campaigning on women's issues - culminated in the enormous collective responsibility felt by the members to 'do their bit' for Britain. With all the vigour, energy and enthusiasm at their disposal, a third of a million country women set out to make their lives and the lives of those around them more bearable in what they described as 'a period of insanity'. Jambusters tells the story of the minute and idiosyncratic details of everyday life during the Second World War for the 5,546 Women's Institutes and how they helped to improve the lot of millions of their fellow Britons. Big pictures and bravery are fashionable and exciting but it was the behind-the-scenes, nitty-gritty approach to the daily problems presented by the war that were at the heart of what the WI did to make a difference. Making jam, making do and mending, gathering rosehips, keeping pigs and rabbits, housing evacuees, setting up canteens for the troops, knitting, singing and campaigning for a better Britain after the war: all these activities played a crucial role in war time. The Compelling True Story That Inspired The Hugely Successful Major Itv Drama Series Home Fires – Now In Its Second Season. The Second World War Was The Wi's Finest Hour. The Whole Of Its Previous History - Two Decades Of Educating, Entertaining And Supporting Women And Campaigning On Women's Issues - Culminated In The Enormous Collective Responsibility Felt By The Members To 'do Their Bit' For Britain. With All The Vigour, Energy And Enthusiasm At Their Disposal, A Third Of A Million Country Women Set Out To Make Their Lives And The Lives Of Those Around Them More Bearable In What They Described As 'a Period Of Insanity'. Through Archive Material And Interviews With Many Wi Members, Julie Summers Takes Us Behind The Scenes, Revealing Their Nitty-gritty Approach To The Daily Problems Presented By The Conflict. Jambusters Is The Fascinating Story Of How The Women's Institute Pulled Rural Britain Through The War With Pots Of Jam And A Spirit Of Make-do-and-mend. BRITISH & IRISH HISTORY: FROM C 1900 -. The Second World War was the WI's finest hour. The whole of its previous history - two decades of educating, entertaining and supporting women and campaigning on women's issues - culminated in the enormous collective responsibility felt by the members to 'do their bit' for Britain. With all the vigour, energy and enthusiasm at their disposal, a third of a million country women set out to make their lives and the lives of those around them more bearable in what they described as 'a period of insanity'. Jambusters tells the story of the minute and idiosyncratic details of everyday life during the Second World War. Making jam, making do and mending, gathering rosehips, keeping pigs and rabbits, housing evacuees, setting up canteens for the troops, knitting, singing and campaigning for a better Britain after the war: all these activities played a crucial role in war time Published to coincide with the release of a major ITV drama series HOME FIRES, inspired by the book