Stone Town Council has a flagpole at the top end of the High Street, but do you know why it flies certain flags on certain dates?
Currently, Stone Town Council has 10 flags that it flies from its High Street flag pole, outside of Hylands Electrical.
Here is a breakdown of the 10 flags, why they are flown and on what date they are flown, you can click any flag to see a larger image.
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Flag Name: Flag of Stone Town Council
Why it’s flown: It’s the Stone Town Council crest
When it’s flown: Whenever no other flag is being flown
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Flag Name: Union Flag (or ‘Union Jack’) – flag of the United Kingdom
Why it’s flown: The flag is flown on the Queen’s Birthday, the Queen’s Official Birthday, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day and on other days as appropriate.
When it’s flown: Flown on the Queen’s Birthday (21st April), the Queen’s Official Birthday (Second Saturday in June), Remembrance Sunday (Second Sunday in November) and Armistice Day (11th November) and on other days as appropriate.
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Flag Name: Flag of St George – flag of England
Why it’s flown: Flown to mark St George’s Day.
When it’s flown: 23rd April – St. George’s Day
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Flag Name: Red Ensign (or ‘Red Duster’) – ensign of the Merchant Navy
Why it’s flown: Commemorates the sacrifices of the Merchant Navy over many years but particularly during World Wars I and II.
When it’s flown: 3rd September – Merchant Navy Day
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Flag Name: Royal Air Force Ensign
Why it’s flown: The flag is flown to commemorate the links between Stone and the RAF, particularly during the days of 16MU Stafford, RAF Hixon and RAF Meir, and which continues today with the RAF Tactical Supply Wing at MoD Stafford.
When it’s flown: No fixed dates, it’s flown when appropriate
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Flag Name: Armed Forces Day flag
Why it’s flown: The flag is flown to mark Armed Forces Day
When it’s flown: Fourth Saturday in June
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Flag Name: White Ensign – ensign of the Royal Navy
Why it’s flown: Flown to recognise when HMS Collingwood exercises its freedom of Stafford Borough. HMS Collingwood’s freedom stems from Stone’s connection with the Royal Navy through Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent, born at Meaford and buried in the mausoleum in St Michael’s and St Wulfad’s church.
When it’s flown: Flown when HMS Collingwood exercises its freedom of Stafford Borough and on other days as appropriate.
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Flag Name: Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations – previously called the ‘British Commonwealth’
Why it’s flown: Flown to mark Commonwealth Day
When it’s flown: Second Monday in March – Commonwealth Day
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Flag Name: Flag of the State of Texas (USA) – the ‘Lone Star State’
Why it’s flown: Stone is the twin city of Carthage, Texas, making the people of Stone honorary Texans. This privilege was granted by Carthage in recognition of the kindness shown by the people of Stone to the US airmen at the depot at Yarnfield during World War II
When it’s flown: Flown on the anniversary of Texas winning its independence from Mexico in 1836 (First Saturday in March), on US Independence Day (4th July), and on the anniversary of Texas being admitted to the United States in 1845 (29th December).
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Flag Name: Flag of the Italian Republic
Why it’s flown: Stone has a ‘friendship twinning’ with the town of Bagnacavallo in northern Italy.
When it’s flown: Flown on Italian Republic Day (2nd June)
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As well as these council flown flags, organisations or individuals may ask the Town Clerk for other flags to be flown on specific occasions. If permission is granted, such flags must be provided by the organisations or individuals concerned, be of adequate quality and size, and not be of a commercial or political nature.
For more information please see the Stone Town Council website page -> https://www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk/flags-flown-by-stone-town-council/
