Cookies

We have developed this cookie policy (the “Cookie Policy”) to explain how we use cookies and similar technologies (together, “Cookies”) on this website (the “Website”) and to demonstrate our firm commitment to the privacy of your personal information.

The first time that you visit our Website, we notify you about our use of Cookies through a notification banner.  By continuing to use the Website, you consent to our use of Cookies as described in this Cookie Policy.  However, you can choose whether or not to continue accepting Cookies at any later time.  Information on how to manage Cookies is set out later in this Cookie Policy.

Please note that our use of any personal information we collect about you is subject to our Privacy Policy.

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files containing user IDs that are automatically placed on your computer or device by when you visit a website.  The Cookies are stored by the internet browser.  The browser sends the Cookies back to the website on each subsequent visit, allowing the website to recognise your computer or device.  This recognition enables the website provider to observe your activity on the website, deliver a personalised, responsive service and improve the website.

Cookies can be ‘Session Cookies’ or ‘Persistent Cookies’.  Session Cookies allow a website to link a series of your actions during one browser session, for example to remember the items you have added to a shopping basket.  Session Cookies expire after a browser session and are therefore not stored on your computer or device afterwards.  Persistent Cookies are stored on your computer or device between browser sessions and can be used when you make subsequent visits to the website, for example to remember your website preferences, such as language or font size.

Cookies We Use and Their Purpose

We use 3 types of Cookies:

  1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
  2. Performance Cookies
  3. Functionality Cookies

Each type of Cookies and the purposes for which we use them are described in this section.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

‘Strictly Necessary’ Cookies enable you to move around the Website and use essential features.  For example, if you log into the Website, we use a Cookie to keep you logged in and allow you to access restricted areas, without you having to repeatedly enter your login details.  If you are registering for or purchasing a product or service, we will use Cookies to remember your information and selections, as you move through the registration or purchase process

Strictly Necessary Cookies are necessary for our Website to provide you with a full service.  If you disable them, certain essential features of the Website will not be available to you and the performance of the Website will be impeded.

Set by Cookie name Expiration time Description
WordPress WordPress_[hash] 365 days On login, to store your authentication details. Its use is limited to the admin console area, /wp-admin/
WordPress wordpress_logged_in_[hash] 365 days After login, which indicates when you’re logged in, and who you are, for most interface use.
WordPress wp-settings-{time}-[UID] 365 days The number on the end is your individual user ID from the users database table. This is used to customize your view of admin interface, and possibly also the main site interface.

 

Performance Cookies

‘Performance’ Cookies collect information about how you use our Website, for example which pages you visit and if you experience any errors.  These Cookies don’t collect any information that could identify you – all the information collected is anonymous.  We may use these Cookies to help us understand how you use the website and assess how well the Website performs and how we could improve it for you.  We may also use such Cookies to discover which parts of the Website interest you and measure how effective our advertising is.

Set by Cookie Name Expiration Time Description
Google __utma 2 years from set/update Used to distinguish users and sessions. The cookie is created when the JavaScript library executes and no existing __utma cookies exists. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics.
Google __utmt 10 minutes Used to throttle request rate.
Google __utmb 30 mins from set/update Used to determine new sessions/visits. The cookie is created when the javascript library executes and no existing __utmb cookies exists. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics.
Google __utmc End of browser session Not used in ga.js. Set for interoperability with urchin.js. Historically, this cookie operated in conjunction with the __utmb cookie to determine whether the user was in a new session/visit.
Google __utmz 6 months from set/update Stores the traffic source or campaign that explains how the user reached your site. The cookie is created when the JavaScript library executes and is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics.
Google __utmv 2 years from set/update Used to store visitor-level custom variable data. This cookie is created when a developer uses the _setCustomVar method with a visitor level custom variable. This cookie was also used for the deprecated _setVar method. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to Google Analytics.

 

Functionality Cookies

‘Functionality’ Cookies enable a website to provide you with specific services or a customised experience.  We may use these Cookies to provide you with services such as watching a video or adding user comments.  We may also use such Cookies to remember changes you make to your settings or preferences (for example, changes to text size or your choice of language or region) or offer you time-saving or personalised features.

When visitors comment on your blog, they too get cookies stored on their computer. This is purely a convenience, so that the visitor won’t need to re-type all their information again when they want to leave another comment. Three cookies are set for commenters:

  • comment_author_{HASH}
  • comment_author_email_{HASH}
  • comment_author_url_{HASH}

The commenter cookies are set to expire a little under one year from the time they’re set.

First and Third Party Cookies

The Cookies placed on your computer or device include ‘First Party’ Cookies, meaning Cookies that are placed there by us, or by third party service providers acting on our behalf.  Where such Cookies are being managed by third parties, we only allow the third parties to use the Cookies for our purposes, as described in this Cookie Policy, and not for their own purposes.

The Cookies placed on your computer or device may also include ‘Third Party’ Cookies, meaning Cookies that are placed there by third parties.  These Cookies may include third party advertisers who display adverts on our Website and/or social network providers who provide ‘like’ or ‘share’ capabilities (see the above section on Targeting or Advertising Cookies).  They may also include third parties who provide video content which is embedded on our Website (such as YouTube).  Please see the website terms and policies of these third parties for further information on their use of Cookies.

You can find out about third party cookies here:

Google = https://www.google.com/policies/technologies/cookies/

HotJar = https://help.hotjar.com/hc/en-us/articles/115011789248-Hotjar-Cookies

Managing Cookies

You always have a choice over whether or not to accept Cookies.  When you first visit the Website and we notify you about our use of Cookies, you can choose not to consent to such use.  If you continue to use the Website, you are consenting to our use of Cookies for the time being.  However, you can choose not to continue accepting Cookies at any later time.  In this section, we describe ways to manage Cookies, including how to disable them.

You can manage Cookies through the settings of your internet browser.  You can choose to block or restrict Cookies from being placed on your computer or device.  You can also periodically review the Cookies that have been placed there and disable some or all of them.

You can learn more about how to manage Cookies on the following websites: www.allaboutcookies.org and www.youronlinechoices.com.

Please be aware that if you choose not to accept certain Cookies, it may mean we are unable to provide you with some services or features of the Website.

Flash Cookies and How to Manage Them

We may provide videos and other content through the Website using Adobe Flash Player, which uses ‘Flash Cookies’ (also known as ‘Local Shared Objects’) to provide useful features such as auto-resume and the ability to save your preferences.  Flash Cookies are placed on your computer or device in much the same as other Cookies.  However, it is not possible to manage them in the same way through your internet browser settings.  You can learn more about how to manage Flash Cookies on www.allaboutcookies.org.  Please be aware that if you choose not to accept Flash Cookies, you will be unable to view certain content, such as videos.

Changes to Cookie Policy

To keep up with changing legislation and best practice, we may revise this Cookie Policy at any time without notice by posting a revised version on this Website.  So please check back periodically so that you are aware of any changes.

 Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or our use of Cookies on the Website, please contact us by email to [email protected].

This Cookie Policy was last updated on 03/05/2018.

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