What is a Cookie?

A cookie is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device by a website’s server. Only that server will be able to retrieve or read the contents of that cookie.

Each cookie is unique to your web browser. It will contain some anonymous information such as a unique identifier, the site name and some numbers. It allows a website to remember things like your preferences.

Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting (these are known as ‘first party cookies’) or they may be set by other websites who run content on the page you are viewing (‘third party cookies’).

To find out more about cookies, the website HowStuffWorks provides a comprehensive guide: How Internet Cookies Work

Enable/Disable Cookies

By using our website, you consent to the use and storage of cookies on your end device. You can view our website without cookies, but the services available to you will be reduced as a result.

You can prevent cookies from being saved on your end device by setting your browser to not accept cookies. Please note that most browsers accept cookies as a default setting.

In addition, you can delete cookies stored on your end device at any time. Instructions for how to do this can be found in the manual for your browser or end device. 

Cookie Categories

Cookies can be categorized in several ways:

Strictly Necessary: These cookies are essential to ensure that the user can navigate and use special features of the site, such as accessing secured areas of a page. Without them, essential parts of the website cannot be used.

Performance: These cookies allow the website to save user preferences, such as language settings, giving the user an improved, more personal experience.

Functionality: These cookies collect data about user behavior. All data is collected anonymously, and functionality cookies cannot track the user's activities on other websites.

This information is used to compile reports to improve the website. Functionality cookies may also include those which provide a service requested by the user.

Targeting and Advertising: These cookies are used to display ads that are relevant to the user and their interests. These cookies can also be used to measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign, which the user interacted with during while visiting particular web pages, and allow for communication with potential advertisers.