Cookies
Cookie law
As a website user, you must have the opportunity to:
- understand how we use cookies on our website
- consent to cookies being stored on your computer/mobile phone/tablet/whichever device you choose to browse the internet on.
What’s a cookie?
When you access a website, a cookie is a small text file downloaded to your computer. Typically, they consist of: a site name and unique user ID, the duration of the cookie’s abilities and effects. Cookies cannot be used to reveal your identity or personally identifying information.
The first time you visit a website using cookies, a cookie is downloaded onto your computer. The next time you visit that website, your computer checks to see if it has a cookie that is relevant and sends the information contained in that cookie back to the website. The website then knows you have been there before, and in some cases, tailors your experience. They may record how long you spend on each page on a site, what links you click, even your preferences for layouts and colours.
Generally, using cookies is beneficial, making your interaction with sites smoother with no extra effort on your part. Without cookies, site could be less interactive and you may need to enter information on a more frequent basis.
Most common cookies
Session cookies
Session cookies expire when you close your web browser. Websites typically use session cookies to recognise you when you move from page to page within one site and to remember any information you have entered. For example, if an e-commerce site did not use session cookies then items placed in a shopping basket would disappear by the time you reach the checkout. You can choose to accept session cookies by changing the settings in your browser.
Some session cookies may be essential for a website to store information on your computer, for example, to provide a service to you that you have requested.
Persistent cookies
Persistent cookies stay stored on your computer after you have closed your web browser, allowing your website preferences to be remembered. These cookies are used for a variety of purposes, for example, remembering your preferences on a website (such as your user name).
First- and third-party cookies
The website you are visiting sets first-party cookies. Another website could set third-party cookies, for example, if the website you are visiting has advertising on the page then this other website will be able to set a cookie on your computer as a third-party cookie. Typically all of the main web browsers allow third-party cookies by default. You can change the settings on your browsers to prevent this.
How we use cookies
Session cookies – essential for the use of our website – are deleted as soon as you close your web browser.
We also use cookies to understand your usage of our website which are provided by Google Analytics, these cookies do not identify you as an individual and do not contain any personal information about you.
Below is a breakdown of the cookies we may use while you are visiting this site (updated 5 August 2022):
| Cookie Name | Provider | Type | Default Expiration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CookieConsent | This website | HTTP | 1 year | Stores the user’s cookie consent state for the current domain. |
| hex (32) | This website | HTTP | 1 day | Used to manage server calls to the website’s backend systems. |
| m_highlander_3pc_check | wordpress.com | HTTP | Session | This cookie determines whether the browser accepts cookies. |
Read more about the cookies set by Google Analytics.
You may refuse to accept cookies by activating the setting on your browser which allows you to disable the setting of cookies. However, if you select this setting you may be unable to access certain parts of our site.
Where to find out more about cookies
You can find out more about cookies in the ICO Cookies Guide and at http://www.allaboutcookies.org/.
