Mary Moore, the Suffolk-based granddaughter of golf legend Samuel Ryder, and creator of dozens of beautiful village signs in the county, has died at the age of 86.


Mrs Moore, who lived at Brandeston, near Framlingham, was President of the Samuel Ryder Foundation, created in memory of the man who founded the Ryder Cup - now one of the sporting world’s most prestigious tournaments.


Paying tribute to Mrs Moore, the Foundation described her as “a wonderful person, and a very proud and passionate supporter of her grandfather’s legacy. She attended seven Ryder Cups, home and away.


“She was a huge advocate of Samuel Ryder’s ethos and belief in the power of the game, and the enjoyment that it brought to so many people.”

Interviewed by the EADT in 2019, Mrs Moore said her grandfather died only a couple of years after she was born. “So he knew me as a baby, but I don’t remember him.”


Mrs Moore said she loved attending the Ryder Cups, where the Ryder party, usually numbering six or seven, were able to mingle with celebrity guests. She named Colin Montgomerie as her favourite player “because he spoke so politely and pleasantly to me”.

Samuel Ryder initially created the Ryder Cup to give golf a higher profile. At the time, in the 1920s, it was something of a poor relationship compared to sports like tennis.

Ipswich Star: Samuel Ryder (centre) with golfers J.H. Taylor (left) and Walter Hagen. Picture: COURTESY MARY MOORESamuel Ryder (centre) with golfers J.H. Taylor (left) and Walter Hagen. Picture: COURTESY MARY MOORE (Image: Archant)


Mrs Moore wasn’t sure what her grandfather would have made of the huge sporting phenomenon his tournament has become. She said: “He would be astounded. Whether he would be happy with the scale of it now, I’m not sure. He never visualised this.”


After attending art school, Mary married Hector Moore, a blacksmith, farrier and metalworker, who lived and worked at Brandeston. The couple were together for 44 years until Hector’s death in 1999.

Ipswich Star: Samuel Ryder (right) with Abe Mitchell, golf pro at the Verulam Golf Club in St Albans. Picture: COURTESY MARY MOORESamuel Ryder (right) with Abe Mitchell, golf pro at the Verulam Golf Club in St Albans. Picture: COURTESY MARY MOORE (Image: Archant)
The Moores became well known locally for creating some 50 ornate village signs throughout Suffolk and also in neighbouring counties. Mary used her artistic talent to design the signs, including features from each village, and Hector employed his metalwork skills to create them.


Ipswich Star: Hector Moore in 1983. From their first one at Easton, village signs became an important part of their business. Mary, who went to art school, created the designs using features from a village, and Hector used his metalwork skills. Picture: NICK DAVIESHector Moore in 1983. From their first one at Easton, village signs became an important part of their business. Mary, who went to art school, created the designs using features from a village, and Hector used his metalwork skills. Picture: NICK DAVIES (Image: Archant)

Mrs Moore was also a talented singer and musician, often taking part in local performances.


There will be a private cremation, followed by a memorial service at Brandeston village church on a date to be announced.

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