Julie Summers 
Jambusters 
The remarkable story which has inspired the ITV drama Home Fires

The compelling true story that inspired the hugely successful major ITV drama series HOME FIRESnow in its second season. The Second World War was the WIs finest hour. The whole of its previous history – two decades of educating, entertaining and supporting women and campaigning on womens 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 Womens Institute pulled rural Britain through the war with pots of jam and a spirit of make-do-and-mend.