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

The Second World War was the WI's finest hour. The whole of its previous history — two decades of educating, entertaining, supporting women and campaigning on women's issues — culminated in a collective desire 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, Julia Summers takes us behind the scenes, revealing their nitty-gritty approach to the daily problems presented by the conflict. Jambusters is the compelling 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.