When the tiny village of Iden staged its biennial Open Gardens day in brilliant weather on June 6-7, the eleven gardens of different sizes and styles attracted over 300 visitors, some from considerable distances writes John Harrison. With sales of excellent home made cream teas, the day raised over £2,000 in aid of the preservation of the fabric and contents of Iden’s ancient Grade 1 Listed church via the offices of the Friends of Iden Church charity. The event made for a very enjoyable afternoon out and one outstanding attraction for children and adults of all ages was the display of model steam railways on a layout of rails that filled one of the beautiful gardens.