In the face of impending war with Germany, the Great Paxford WI faces a difficult decision. When president Joyce Cameron resigns and takes most of the membership with her, Frances Barden and her supporters must come together to resurrect the Institute, and recruit new members from unexpected places. Meanwhile, local doctor Will Campbell discovers the terrible reason why he can’t rejoin the army, and Miriam Brindsley will do anything to stop her son from enlisting. Claire Hillman is attracted to young postman Spencer Wilson, but she discovers that the path of true love never did run smooth.

As Frances and Joyce battle for leadership of the new group, the others face problems of a much more personal nature. Erica and Will's relationship is tested after his cancer diagnosis, Pat is struggling with her unhappy marriage and Miriam has one last chance to stop David enlisting. Newcomer Teresa Fenchurch gets off to a bad start, but her mishap brings a dashing RAF officer to the village. Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond star, with Frances Grey, Ed Stoppard, Claire Rushbrook and Leanne Best.

The impact of the war begins to be felt in Great Paxford as the women are forced to make sacrifices for the salvage effort. But soon matters on the personal front replace their efforts on the home front as Kate and Jack's relationship intensifies, Pat's marriage deteriorates and Claire finally plucks up the courage to ask Spencer out - unaware he is hiding a secret that could ruin their relationship before it has even started. Meanwhile, Alison resorts to desperate measures to pay a bill, and soon realises her actions will cost her much more.

Frances takes in an evacuee from Liverpool, who is not what she expected. Erica is forced to face the consequences of her actions, while Miriam writes letters to soldiers on the front line that cause more harm than good. Laura and Richard's secret affair is jeopardised when someone sees them together, Teresa receives devastating news, and Claire must decide whether or not to stand by Spencer.

As the war in Europe draws closer to home and the nation faces its darkest hour, the members of the WI find they have their own battles to fight. Alison looks for a way out of her desperate situation, and Frances tries to help Pat while she still can. Miriam keeps an important piece of news from Bryn, and Richard and Laura realise it may not be possible to keep their affair a secret any longer.