What is a cookie

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 stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. Cookies can be used by web servers to identity and track users as they navigate different pages on a website and to identify users returning to a website.

Types of Cookies

Session cookies - allow websites to link the actions of a user during a browser session. They may be used for a variety of purposes such as remembering what a user has put in their shopping basket as they browse around a site. They could also be used for security when a user is accessing internet banking or to facilitate use of webmail. These session cookies expire after a browser session so would not be stored longer term. For this reason session cookies may sometimes be considered less privacy intrusive than persistent cookies.

Persistent cookies – are stored on a users’ device in between browser sessions which allows the preferences or actions of the user across a site (or in some cases across different websites) to be remembered. Persistent cookies may be used for a variety of purposes including remembering users’ preferences and choices when using a site or to target advertising.

First and third party cookies – Whether a cookie is ‘first’ or ‘third’ party refers to the website or domain placing the cookie. First party cookies in basic terms are cookies set by a website visited by the user - the website displayed in the URL window. Third party cookies are cookies that are set by a domain other than the one being visited by the user. If a user visits a website and a separate company sets a cookie through that website this would be a third party cookie.

Cookies we use on this website.

We use the following cookies to improve your experience of this website.

Google Maps - Allows the user to view an interactive map and/or a street view of our site.

Cookies: SID, SAPISID, APISID, SSID, HSID, NID, PREF

Google Analytics - To analyse how the website is used. Google gathers information including the users IP Address which is stored on their servers. This information provides us with important details about how often people revisit our site, where they are referred from, which pages are most used and other information. This data helps us to monitor how our website is performing.

Cookies: _utma, _utmb, _utmc, _utmz

Google Calendar - Allows the user to view and interact with the Calendar.

Cookies: APISID, HSID, NID, PREF, SAPISID, SID, SSID, OSID, secid,

None of the above cookies collects any personal information about users at any time and no individuals are identifiable from the data received.

For more information on Cookies and details of how to block them click here