What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored by your browser (for example, Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge) on your computer or mobile phone. Website owners use them widely to make websites work or to make them work more efficiently. They are sometimes used to track information about you. Like most websites, I use cookies to improve your experience and gather information about visits to my website(s).

Official information

You can read more on this topic on the UK Information Commissioner’s website.

How do I turn cookies off?

As a first step, please click ‘Reject All’ on the banner which appears when you visit my website. This minimises the use of cookies by your browser. You will still be able to see and use all of my website.

You can go further. In most cases, you can use my website in full even if you change your browser settings to block all cookies. However, if you use the contact form, please check that it confirms your message has been sent by displaying “Message sent” or “Thank you” message.

Most computer and some mobile web browsers automatically accept cookies. However, all modern browsers allow you to change your cookie settings. You can usually find these settings in the ‘settings’, ‘options’ or ‘preferences’ menu of your browser. Changing your settings may help you in ways like this:

  • Stop websites saving and using any cookies on your device. This may prevent you using the site or using the site in full.
  • Clear cookies and site data when you close the browser.
  • Block third-party cookies. This stops sites collecting your browsing activity across different sites to personalise ads delivered to you. Some sites may not work properly.

Types of cookies on my website

My website is hosted on the WordPress.com platform. Cookies are built into the site. Some last only during your web session and expire when you close your browser. Others last longer and remain on your computer or device. They can be broadly categorised as follows.

  • Those essential for the running of the site
  • Those which ensure you have a better experience when using the site
  • Third Party cookies which may track your browsing history to deliver you personalised ads
  • Analytics cookies

I use analytic tools (WordPress and Google Analytics) to collect information about how people use my website. This helps me to improve the site for future use and make sure that it is meeting the needs of the people using it. Analytics cookies store information about what pages people visit, how long they are on the site, how they got there and what they click on. They do not collect or store users’ personal information (for example, names or addresses), so this information cannot be used to identify individuals.

This Cookies Policy is version 6.1.2. It was last updated on 12 May 2020.

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