Stone to raise Texas flag on High Street this Saturday

On Saturday, a town in Staffordshire will be raising a flag to commemorate the anniversary of Texas gaining its independence from Mexico on 2 March 1836.

Stone Town Council says the Texas State flag, also known as the Lone Star flag, will be raised on the town flagpole at the top of Stone High Street on Saturday 7 March 2026. A short ceremony is due to take place at 12 noon, led by Councillor Jim Davies.

Why Stone raises the Texas flag

Stone Town Council says Stone has a long running friendship with Carthage, Texas.

The council explains that Carthage informally gave Stone “sister city” status in recognition of the kindness shown by people in Stone to US airmen at the depot at Yarnfield during World War II. The council says the friendship was started after a book by John W. Howland, and in 1993 the Mayor of Carthage wrote to the Mayor of Stone to thank local people. The council says Carthage also sent gifts to Stone, including a Texas flag, and Stone sent a Stone Town Council flag back.

A quick bit of history about the Lone Star flag

Stone Town Council says the Lone Star flag was adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Texas in 1839. It has:

• one white star

• a blue vertical stripe

• white and red horizontal stripes

The council says Stone raises the Texas flag twice a year, in March to mark Texas independence, and again in December to mark the anniversary of Texas being admitted to the United States on 29 December 1845.

Stone Farmers Market is on the same day

If you are heading into town, Stone Farmers Market is also on this Saturday. The market usually runs 9am to 3pm, with traders setting up from around 7:30am and sometimes selling out early.

Other flags flown in Stone

• Stone Town Council also flies different flags during the year to mark key dates. The council’s list for 2026 includes:

• Republic Day (Italy) on 2 June

• King’s Official Birthday in June

• Armed Forces Day in June

• Merchant Navy Day in September

• Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day in November

• Thanksgiving Day (Texas flag) in November

• Texas joining the USA (Texas flag) on 29 December

Thecouncil also says groups or individuals can ask the Town Clerk about other flags being flown for specific occasions.