The story of a group of inspirational women in a rural Cheshire community with the shadow of World War II casting a dark cloud over their lives. As the conflict takes hold and separates the women from their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers, the characters find themselves under increasing and extraordinary pressures in a rapidly fragmenting world. By banding together as the Great Paxford Women’s Institute, they help maintain the nation’s fabric in its darkest hour, and discover inner resources that will change their lives forever.

Samantha Bond, Ruth Gemmell, Claire Rushbrook, Fenella Woolgar, Clare Calbraith, Daisy Badger, Leanne Best, Leila Mimmack, Claire Price, Frances Grey, Mark Bazeley, Ed Stoppard, Daniel Ryan, Francesca Annis, Will Attenborough, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Mark Bonnar