A NEW television comedy starring Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and a host of funny women coming to screens tomorrow (Friday) night will be watched particularly closely by members of a Women's Institute in a West Devon town. North Tawton WI members took part as extras when Jam and Jerusalem was filmed in the town. Claire Weller, president of the North Tawton institute, was approached last year and asked if any of the group would be up for a bit of acting, basically playing themselves alongside the stars of the series. Claire and ten other WI members plus other town residents were involved in filming of the pilot in October 2005, then earlier this autumn, the BBC returned to film a full series. Claire said: 'It was a lot of fun to do and there was a very good atmosphere. 'The BBC crew were super. There could be a lot of hanging around, but it was good fun and very interesting just to watch what was going on.' Claire said everyone in the town was looking forward to seeing the programme this week, but they were prepared for plenty of jokes at the expense of the WI and small market town life. The story is about the death of a town's GP, whose widow seeks company by joining the local Women's Guild group. Claire said: 'They call it the Women's Guild rather than the Women's Institute. 'They find all the funny things about the WI and just extenuate it a bit.' Claire added: 'I think Jennifer Saunders chose North Tawton because she did not want a particularly touristy town. It is a working town with lots of character.' Also starring in the new sit-com are Joanna Lumley, Sue Johnston, Maggie Steed, Doreen Mantle, Pauline McLynn and David Mitchell. The first show of Jam and Jerusalem is broadcast tomorrow on BBC 1 at 9.30pm.
