It tells of the remarkable role played by ordinary women in rural Britain during the war and how the government looked to them to organise evacuees, organise collections and, in effect, feed the nation. Indeed, the women of the WI during the Second World War were 'Jambusters' and this is their story.

To begin with, this book must get some kind of credit for having the best title I have seen in some time. 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. 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. 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. 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'. 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. Julie kindly signed a number of her novels on sale that evening.The Second World War was the WI's finest hour. Julie and Members were shocked and saddened by this news but she remains optimistic that it will continue with another broadcaster a view hugely supported by us all that evening….we all need to know what happens next!!

A few days prior to her visit to Farndon WI she had however heard that the third series of Home Fires was being axed by ITV. Julie was enthusiastic and engaging as she described the characters and locations used in the filming of the series and the preparations and scripts for a third series. The subsequent journey in taking a non fiction book to the successful series of Home Fires she conveyed as exciting and thrilling and she admitted she had a tear in her eye when she visited Cheshire for her first set visit and described her cameo role in the series dressed in a two piece blue tweed suit. In writing her novel Jambusters, Julie described to us how she had ‘to dig deep to find the heart of the Wartime WI and their Members who kept the countryside ticking over’. It was also a great opportunity to welcome WI Members from a number of other local WI’s who joined us for the evening and we enjoyed in traditional WI style a great range of home made cakes and refreshments. A great open WI evening event was held last Thursday May 19th with our Guest Speaker, Julie Summers.

Jambusters novel