What are Cookies?
Cookies are small simple text files which are stored in your web browser when you visit a website. Cookies are used by most modern websites, and in many cases are essential for the operation of the website. They are commonly used to allow the website to ‘remember’ you, so you don’t have to keep entering the same information over and over again. Another common use is to help collect statistical information about how many visitors a site has.
How do we use cookies?
The main content of the website uses only strictly necessary cookies (see below). However, embedded content provided using third parties, such as an embedded video from YouTube, may use cookies set by the third party over which we have no control. These may include advertising cookies.
The statistics counter stores performance information, albeit not using cookies. This information is anonymised, so there is no way to track individual site visitors.
If you are the website editor, the site sets a number of functionality cookies when you login to the site, in order to keep track of what you are doing. You cannot edit the site without these.
Cookie Categories
Strictly necessary cookies – These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the website. Without these cookies, services you have asked for or selected cannot be provided.
Performance cookies – These cookies collect information about how visitors use a website, for instance which pages visitors go to most often, and if they get error messages from web pages. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor. All the information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. This information is only used to improve content and how a website works.
Functionality cookies – These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personalized features. For instance, they may be used to provide services you have asked for such as watching a video or commenting on a news item or blog. The information these cookies collect may be anonymised and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.
Targeting or advertising cookies – These cookies are used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement as well as help to measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They are usually placed by advertising networks with the website operator’s permission. Quite often targeting and advertising cookies will be linked to site functionality provided by other organisations.