COOKIE POLICY
1. What are Cookies?
1.1 A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
1.2 Cookies may be either “persistent” cookies or “session” cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
1.3 Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
2. Cookies that we use
2.1 We use cookies for the following purposes:
(a) authentication – we use cookies to identify you when you visit our website and as you navigate our website;
(b) status – we use cookies to help us to determine if you are logged into our website;
(c) personalisation – we use cookies to store information about your preferences and to personalise the website for you;
(d) security – we use cookies as an element of the security measures used to protect user accounts, including preventing fraudulent use of login credentials, and to protect our website and services generally;
(e) advertising – we use cookies to help us to display advertisements that will be relevant to you;
(f) analysis – we use cookies to help us to analyse the use and performance of our website and services; and
(g) cookie consent – we use cookies to store your preferences in relation to the use of cookies more generally.
The cookies we use are explained in the following sections.
3. What Cookies Does Our Site Use?
3.1 WORDPRESS
Our site is built using WordPress and places the following ‘session cookie’ on your computer or device when you arrive.
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| PHPSESSID | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | A session cookie, deleted when you close your web browser. | As you browse around the pages on this site, the session cookie tells the website that you are the same person requesting the webpages, and not a new visitor to each page. This cookie does not identify you personally and is not linked to any other information we store about you. | YES |
3.2 USER/ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
WordPress also features a registration/user account area, albeit some websites do not use this feature, but other plugins such as Woocommerce most
definitely will for customer accounts, the following cookies are created if this facility is used
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| wordpress_test_cookie | The text ‘WP Cookie check’ | A session cookie, deleted when you close your web browser. | WordPress sets this cookie when you navigate to the login page. The cookie is used to check whether your web browser is set to allow, or reject cookies. | YES |
| wordpress_xxxxx | Your login details in an encrypted form | A session cookie, deleted when you close your web browser. | WordPress uses this cookie to indicate when you’re logged in, and who you are, for most interface use. | YES |
| wp-settings-xxxxx,wp-settings-time-xxxxx | Text indicating your preferred settings | A Persistent cookie, expire a little under one year from the time they’re set. | WordPress uses this cookie to customize your view of admin interface, and possibly also the main site interface. | YES |
3.3 COMMENT POSTING
If this website allows comments on posts or articles, then the following cookies are also created
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE LIFESPAN | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| comment_author,comment_author_email, comment_author_url |
Your name, email address and website address | Persistent cookies, which expire a little under one year from the time they’re set. | WordPress sets these cookies purely for convenience, so that you won’t need to re-type all your information again when you want to leave another comment. | YES |
Further information on how WordPress uses Cookies, please visit WordPress Cookies
3.4 ANALYTICS
Our Site uses analytics services provided by Google Analytics. Website analytics refers to a set of tools used to collect and analyse anonymous usage information, enabling us to better understand how our site is used. This, in turn, enables us to improve our site and the products and services offered through it. You do not have to allow us to use these Cookies, however whilst our use of them does not pose any risk to your privacy or your safe use of our site, it does enable us to continually improve our site, making it a better and more useful experience for you.
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| _ga | See Google Analytics for more info. | Analytics cookie, expires around 2 years. | Used to distinguish users. | NO |
| _gid | See Google Analytics for more info. | Analytics cookie, expires after 24 hours. | These cookies contain information about the shopping cart and help WooCommerce know when the cart data changes. | NO |
| _gat | See Google Analytics for more info. | Analytics cookie, expires after 1 minute. | Used to throttle request rate. If Google Analytics is deployed via Google Tag Manager, this cookie will be named _dc_gtm_. | NO |
3.5 GOOGLE MAPS
Our website uses Google Maps to show the the location of our office and has the ability give you guidance and directions if required, Google Maps will set cookies on your on your computer or device when you arrive.
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| S | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | A Persistent cookie, expire a little under one year from the time they’re set. | This is a unique identifier used by Google applications to store user preferences. | NO |
| PREF | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | A Persistent cookie, expire a little under two years from the time they’re set. | This is a unique identifier used by Google applications to store user preferences. | NO |
| NID | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | A Persistent cookie, expire a little under six months from the time they’re set. | This is a unique identifier used by Google applications to store user preferences. | NO |
3.6 WORDFENCE
We use Wordfence to protect our site from malicious attacks and to enhance security. Wordfence uses specific cookies in order to perform correctly.
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| wfvt_XXXXXX | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | This cookie is persistent and expires in 1 hour. | It used to track a user for the duration of their visit so that the “Wordfence” can group their page views together. This cookie is persistent and expires in 1 hour. | YES |
| wfwaf-authcookie-XXXXXXXX | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | This cookie is persistent and expires in 1 day. | It is used to authenticate user’s login request. | YES |
| wordfence_verifiedHuman | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | This cookie is persistent and expires in 1 day. | It is used to separate human visitors from bots. | YES |
3.7 OUR COOKIE PLUGIN
Ironically the method which tells us whether you have accepted or declined cookies is kept within a cookie! It does not store any personal data, but is required for the plugin to function. It will set the following cookie on your on your computer or device when you arrive.
| COOKIE NAME | DATA STORED | COOKIE TYPE | DESCRIPTION | NECESSARY |
| wordpress_gdpr | A random unique number or string of letters and numbers. | A Persistent cookie, expire a little under six months from the time its set. | This cookie tells our website whether you have accepted or declined cookies | YES |
4. Consent and Control
4.1 Before Cookies are placed on your computer or device, you will be shown a pop-up requesting your consent to set those Cookies. By giving your consent to the placing of Cookies you are enabling us to provide the best possible experience and service to you. You may, if you wish, deny consent to the placing of Cookies excluding those Cookies which are strictly necessary. You will be given the opportunity to allow and/or deny different categories of Cookie that We use.
You can return to your Cookie preferences to review and/or change them at any time by visiting our Privacy Control Centre page.
4.2 Blocking Cookies
In addition to the controls that We provide, you can choose to enable or disable Cookies in your internet browser. Most internet browsers also enable you to choose whether you wish to disable all Cookies or only third party Cookies. By default, most internet browsers accept Cookies but this can be changed. For further details, please consult the help menu in your internet browser or the documentation that came with your device.
The links below provide instructions on how to control Cookies in all mainstream browsers:
- Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en-GB
- Microsoft Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/278835
- Microsoft Edge: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/products/microsoft-edge (Please note that there are no specific instructions at this time, but Microsoft support will be able to assist)
- Safari (macOS): https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21411?viewlocale=en_GB&locale=en_GB
- Safari (iOS): https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201265
- Mozilla Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-Cookies-website-preferences
- Android: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en (Please refer to your device’s documentation for manufacturers’ own browsers)
5. Changes to this Cookie Policy
We may alter this Cookie Policy at any time. If We do so, details of the date it was changed will be detailed at the top of this page. Any such changes will become binding on you on your first use of Our Site after the changes have been made. You are therefore advised to check this page from time to time.
