Ms. FLORA GRANGER Chantwèl, passes on.

 

 

The Folk Research Centre offers its condolences to the family of the late Flora Granger. Ms. Granger had been declared a National Cultural Hero by the FRC as part of its 40^th anniversary celebrations in 2013.

Flora Granger (in wheel chair) with other National Cultural Heroes, their representatives and H. E. Governor General, 2013, Government House.

 

Choiseul singing sensation Flora Granger at age 75, blind and confined to a wheelchair, still warms the hearts of listeners to Radio St. Lucia on the Wednesday nights’ Country and Western show "Best Country".  Occasionally, members of her church - the River Dorée Anglican, would invite her to sing to the congregation.

Flora was a resident of DeBreuil, Choiseul and had been singing for the past 65 years.  She began singing at the River Dorée Anglican Church as a choir member from age 10. She often accompanied her grandmother who was a member of Ma Bébé's La Rose Group during the annual festivities.  While attending one of the La Rose Séances, she heard a gentleman singing one of the La Rose songs; she was so thrilled that she asked her grandmother whether she could sing as well.  Flora was only 12 years at the time.  Ma Bébé allowed Flora to sing and from then she became the group’s Chantwèl. 

After 30 years as a Chantwèl, she became ill with diabetes which eventually led to impairment of her vision.  Her last major performance was at the River Dorée Anglican Church.  Flora continued to sing from the comfort of her home.  Recently, she had been honoured by the Choiseul Development Council for her contribution to the cultural development of the community.  Her dream was get a proper recording of her songs before she passed on.