You are here:

Cookie Policy

What are cookies?

A cookie, also known as an HTTP cookie, web cookie, or browser cookie, is a piece of data stored by a website on a user's computer by a browser, and then subsequently sent back to the same website by the browser.

Why does our website make use of them?

Cookies fulfil different roles within our website. Some are required for site functionality, some allow us to analyse how our site is used and some are from third parties (i.e. Google Maps).

Cookies make browsing websites more efficient, give the opportunity for advanced functionality and also allow our website team to analyse how the site is used (through the use of Google Analytics for example).

Why do we collect data on how visitors use our site?

Firstly, it's important to note that we do not collect any data that can identify a unique user or collate any contact data on an individual (unless, of course, you volunteer such information via an enquiry form or newsletter sign-up).

We use Google Analytics to track how anonymous users make use of our site. The data we receive allows us to ensure our site remains easy to use, fully functional and gives users, such as yourself, the best possible experience.

Why do we need to outline our cookies and their use?

The ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) and UK Government are now enforcing the E-Privacy Directive. The E-Privacy Directive is an EU based directive aimed at privacy protection in a digital environment.

The directive's aim is to inform and educate web users on what cookies are, which cookies the websites they visit use and what they are for. The premise behind the directive is that users will have more control over their online privacy and gain a greater understanding of any information collected by the website they visit.

What cookies do we use?

As noted earlier, our cookies fall into three categories. Those that are required for website functionality (such as making a donations and buying products), those that allow us to collate and analyse site usage statistics and those that are used by third parties (such as YouTube).

Below is a list of the cookies we use. Some of the functionality based cookies have already been used to ensure you are able to use our site and read this page. If you would like to remove our cookies from your computer, please visit this website for a guide on how to do so.

Owner	Name	Expiry	Description
Google Analytics	__utma	2 years	A cookie which sets a unique ID per visit
Google Analytics	__utmb	Less than one day	A session cookie set by Google Analytics to determine new visits
Google Analytics	__utmc	At end of session	A session cookie set by Google Analytics to determine new visits
Google Analytics	__utmz	182 days	A cookie which informs Google Analytics which traffic source the visit came from
YouTube	PREF	10 years	Used by YouTube to apply any User Account preferences
YouTube	VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE	182 days	Used by YouTube to apply any User Account preferences
YouTube	use_hitbox	At end of session	Used by YouTube to apply any User Account preferences
AddThis	_atuvc	2 years	Applied by the functionality we use to allow you to socially share our pages
AddThis	xtc	2 years	Applied by the functionality we use to allow you to socially share our pages
AddThis	UID	2 years	Applied by the functionality we use to allow you to socially share our pages
AddThis	UIT	1 day	Applied by the functionality we use to allow you to socially share our pages
AddThis	PSC	2 years	Applied by the functionality we use to allow you to socially share our pages
Go To Meeting	g2mVisitor	1 year	Used by the third party system we use to show online seminars and presentations
Go To Meeting	g2mSession	At end of session	Used by the third party system we use to show online seminars and presentations
Go To Meeting	JSESSIONID	At end of session	Used by the third party system we use to show online seminars and presentations
Proactis	CookieAuth	1 year	Used to hide our cookie alert bar once you've clicked the accept button

What if you don't want to allow the use of cookies from our website?

As noted earlier, you can clear the cookies on your browser by following instructions found here. You can also block cookies from our website, or any other site you visit, using your browser settings.

Unfortunately, if you chose to take this approach you will no longer be able to view our website as a number of the cookies listed above are critical to the website's use.