We use cookies on this website. This page contains information on the following:
- What are cookies?
- Why do we use cookies?
- What cookies do we use?
- How to control cookies
What are cookies?
Where we use the word ‘device', we mean the computer, mobile phone, tablet or other device you use to access the Internet. Cookies are created when you visit a website that uses cookies.
Cookies are small files of letters and numbers. These files are either stored in the memory of your device or are placed on the hard drive of your device.
If you'd like to read more about cookies, we think this website contains a lot of helpful information: http://www.aboutcookies.org/default.aspx
Why do we use cookies?
We use cookies to distinguish you from other users of this website and to provide increased functionality on our website. This helps us to provide you with a better user experience and also allows us to work to improve our website.
We don't use any of our cookies to collect personal information about you, only anonymous information. We don't use any of our cookies to target you with online advertising.
Please note that not all the cookies on our website are set by us (see Cookies set by third parties below).
What cookies do we use?
We use two different types of cookie: Strictly Necessary Cookies and Performance Cookies.
Strictly Necessary Cookies - These cookies are essential. Without them, you wouldn't be able to move around our website or use its features. We use these cookies to:
- Allow your computer to be recognised within a website so any page changes, item or data selection is remembered; and
- Detect software on your device which enables content on our website. These cookies are only stored for the duration of your visit to our website.
Performance Cookies - These cookies aren't essential but they provide us with useful anonymous information about how people use our website. Without them, it would be difficult for us to understand how our website is performing and we may miss out on the opportunity to make improvements that could enhance your user experience.
We use these cookies to:
- Obtain statistics about how our website is used (including which pages are visited most often and how users came to visit our website);
- Evaluate website performance; and help us ensure that the content and features on our website are relevant for your future visits.
The cookies we use are listed below and are classified by the ICO cookie categorization.
Cookie Classification
Category 1 – Strictly necessary cookies: Those which are essential in order to enable a user to move around a website and use its features (e.g. shopping baskets or e-billing.)
Category 2 – Performance cookies: Those which collect anonymous information about pages visited/error messages etc. to improve how a website works.
Category 3 – Functionality cookies: Those which remember choices made by users to improve experience (e.g. user name, language, region) and any personalised features (e.g. localised weather/traffic news).
Category 4 – Targeting or advertising cookies: Those used to deliver adverts more relevant to users and which collect information about their browsing habits. These are typically placed by advertising networks and are shared with other organisations/advertisers.
CMS Cookies
Classification: Strictly necessary
These cookies are set by Drupal and are session cookies that are used to link a user to a session and determine if the users browser supports javascript. Both cookies expire at the end of the session.
Name | Expires |
---|---|
The session ID | Immediately |
has_js | End of session |
Google Analytics Classification: Performance
The following four cookies are set by google analytics to track visits to the site.
Name | Expires |
---|---|
__utma | Now + 2 years |
__utmb | Now + 30 minutes |
__utmc | End of session |
__utmz | Now + 6 months |
Privacy policy: http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ads/
Youtube Classification: Performance
The following cookies are set by youtube embedded videos.
Name | Expires |
---|---|
HSID | Now + 10 years |
PREF | Now + 10 years |
SID | Now + 10 years |
SSID | Now + 10 years |
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Now + 7 months |
demographics | Now + 1.5 years |
Privacy policy: http://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/
Facebook Classification: Performance
The following cookies are set from the facebook like box
Name | Expires |
---|---|
datr | Now + 2 years |
locale | Now + 5 days |
lu | Now + 2 years |
Privacy policy: http://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/other
Twitter Category: Performance, Functionality
The following cookies are set by embedded tweets in the blog.
Name | Expires |
---|---|
_twitter_sess | End of session |
guest_id | Now + 23 months |
k |
Now + 2 years |
original_referer | End of session |
Privacy policy: http://twitter.com/privacy
How to control cookies
How to control cookies on this and other websites: You can use your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari etc) to allow, switch off or delete cookies on this and other websites.
Each web browser is different so check the ‘Help' function of your particular browser to determine how to update your cookie settings. If you are having difficulty updating your cookie settings, we recommend the website: http://www.aboutcookies.org/default.aspx. It contains a step by step guide explaining how to update your cookies settings on most web browsers.
Please note that, in a few cases, switching off or deleting cookies may reduce the functionality of or prevent access to certain websites (including this website).
Cookies set by third parties
We use a number of social media tools and external applications to enhance your interaction with this website - for example, we sometimes embed videos from YouTube.
As a result, you may be sent cookies from these third party websites. We do not control these cookies and we suggest you check these third party websites for more information about the cookies they use.
Please also see How to control cookies on this and other websites above for guidance on how you can switch off or delete cookies on other websites.
Use of data
We use information collected about you to help us
(a) develop the design and layout of the Website to ensure that it is as useful and enjoyable as possible and
(b) provide the products and services which interest you.
If you have given your consent by ticking the relevant boxes upon registration, this information may be used by us to inform you about changes to the website, new services and products or offers that you might find interesting.
Where you have provided your consent by ticking the relevant boxes upon registration, you agree that you do not object to us, contacting you for any of the above purposes whether by telephone, email or in writing, and you confirm that you do not and will not consider any of the above as being a breach of any of your rights under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations.
When you input information or request services from us, we offer appropriate physical, electronic and managerial security measures in order that you may input information safely whilst effectively preventing that information from being accessed by unauthorised persons.
In addition, we have strict security procedures covering the storage and disclosure of your information in order to prevent unauthorised access to comply with the UK Data Protection Act 1998.
This means that sometimes we may ask for proof of identity before we disclose personal information to you.