It’s the summer of 1940 and the village of Great Paxford is caught up in the nightmare of the Battle of Britain. Two weeks after the defeat at Dunkirk, the German army is advancing through France and Britain is bracing itself for invasion. 　　Throughout the series the residents at the heart of this rural Cheshire community face their own personal challenges and conflicts as reputations are tarnished, loved ones lost, and shocking secrets are discovered. However it’s the war years and the women, under the auspices of the Great Paxford Women’s Institute, unite and discover inner resources that will change their lives forever whilst helping maintain the nation’s fabric in its darkest hour. 　　New characters and friendships will also emerge as exhausted and battle-hardened Czech soldiers arrive to set up camp just outside the village.