Cookies Policy

Turn non-essential cookies off

A "cookie" is a small file downloaded to your computer which helps the functionality of websites. Cookies normally consist of a name and value - often a string of random characters - which anonymously identifies you to the servers hosting the sites you visit. The apparently random string is interpreted by the web server to distinguish first-time visitors from repeat visitors, and remember any preferences that might be saved.

Cookies come in two forms: "persistent" cookies and "session" cookies. A persistent cookie is stored on your computer for a pre-determined amount of time before either being renewed (when you re-visit a website) or deleted (at its expiry date - or manually by yourself). A "session" cookie is stored by your web browsing software, and is automatically deleted when you close down your browser window.

Cookies used on the main site

stuart-pinfold.co.uk uses both session cookies and persistent cookies on this website, so you may discover this site has sent the following files to your computer or web-browser:

utm - this is set by Google Analytics, my statistics provider, which helps me to see how many people are visiting this site, what they are searching for, and other anonymised information. These files are persistant cookies, but can be switched off to the right-hand side of this page, or the very top of any page on this site.
CMSSESSID - this is set by my Content Management Software, and is a session cookie so will expire when you close your browser.
CookiesOK - This tells the software whether or not you have blocked cookies or agreed to their use. If this value is "Blocked", cookies such as Google Analytics and Google Adverts will not be used on this site; if the value is "Agreed", these features will be used. You can change this preference any time from the bottom of the page. If you choose to block cookies, you will have to re-set this preference every time you visit.

If you use my web apps, you may also discover the following cookies being set:

PHPSESSID - this is a session cookie which identifies that you are a user of the Train Times app.
userid* - Generated by the Train Times app, this tells the system that you are logged in to the system. It is set to expire a year after you login.
email* - Generated by the Train Times app, this tells the system your email address so it can display your favourite stations and other preferences. It is set to expire a year after you login.

* These cookies are essential for the Train Times app to function. If you do not wish cookies to be set while using the Train Times app, please remove this app from your iGoogle page, and do not use the app.

How I use cookies

Cookie files do not contain any information that personally identifies you or your location. But the information we store on our server may be linked to a cookie file on your computer. This helps us improve the website for everyone's benefit - for example, to:

recognise your computer when you re-visit our website, for example when using the Train Times app for iGoogle;
track you as you navigate our website, so we can see which pages are useful and which ones are not in order to improve the content on this site;
to improve the website's usability;
to analyse the use of our website;
to serve you relevant advertising, in order that the site can continue serving you new content.

Cookie Preferences

If you wish to switch off all non-essential cookies set by this site (Google Analytics and Google Adverts), then simply adjust the preference to by clicking the link in the very bottom-right of every page on the site.

If you wish to block all cookies from all sites, you may do so in the Preferences screen of your web-browser:

In Internet Explorer, click "Tools", "Internet Options", "Privacy" and then select "Block all cookies" using the slider.
In Firefox, click "Tools", "Options" and then un-tick "Accept cookies from sites" under the "Privacy" tab.
In other web-browsers, navigate to the manufacturer's help pages to find out how to block cookies.

Deleting Cookies

The option on this site allows you to stop cookies from being used, but cannot delete cookies already set. To delete cookies, use your web browser:

In Internet Explorer, you have to delete all cookies. Click "Tools", "Internet Options", then the "Delete..." button in the "General" tab.
In Firefox, you can delete cookies from individual sites. Click "Tools", "Options" then "Remove individual cookies" on the "Privacy" tab. Then type in the domain name - for example stuart-pinfold.co.uk - of the cookies you wish to delete, then use the "Del" or "Delete" key on your keyboard to remove cookies.
In other web-browsers, navigate to the manufacturer's help pages to find out how to delete cookies.