Cookie Policy

Cookies are small text files that websites store in your browser. Some are essential to make a site work; others help the owner understand how the site is used. This page explains exactly which ones this website uses, and how to control them.

The short version

• This site doesn’t use advertising or tracking cookies.
• The only optional cookies are Google Analytics, and they’re only set if you choose “Allow analytics”.
• Everything else is either essential to keep the site secure, or only set if you do something specific, such as leaving a comment.

Change your cookie settings

Your choice, and how to change it

When you first visit, a small box in the corner of the screen asks whether you’re happy for me to use Google Analytics. Nothing optional happens until you answer, and “No thanks” is just as easy as yes. If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, the site treats that as a no and doesn’t ask.

Your answer is remembered for 12 months. You can change it at any time with the Cookie settings link at the bottom of every page, or the button above. If you withdraw permission, the Google Analytics cookies are removed straight away.

Cookies this website uses

Analytics, only with your permission

Name	Set by	What it does	How long
_ga	Google Analytics	Distinguishes one visitor from another, so visits can be counted without identifying anyone	2 years
_ga_<ID>	Google Analytics	Remembers the current visit, so pages viewed in one visit are counted together	2 years

Essential

These keep the website secure and working. They don’t track you, and the law doesn’t require consent for them.

Name	Set by	What it does	How long
__cf_bm	Cloudflare	Tells real visitors apart from automated bots, to protect the site from attacks	30 minutes
_cfuvid	Cloudflare	Applies fair limits to repeated requests, to keep the site available	End of visit
cf_clearance	Cloudflare	Remembers that you’ve passed a security check, if one was shown	Up to 1 year
nb_consent	This website	Remembers your cookie choice. Stored in your browser’s local storage rather than as a cookie	12 months

Only if you leave a comment

If you leave a comment on a blog post and tick the box to save your details, WordPress stores your name, email address and website so you don’t have to type them again next time.

Name	Set by	What it does	How long
comment_author_…	WordPress	Remembers your name for next time	1 year
comment_author_email_…	WordPress	Remembers your email address for next time	1 year
comment_author_url_…	WordPress	Remembers your website for next time	1 year

Other websites

Some links and features take you to other services, which have their own cookie policies. Signing up for the newsletter opens Mailchimp’s website, and sharing a post opens LinkedIn, Facebook or X. If a blog post includes an embedded video or social media post, the service providing it may set its own cookies when it loads.

The fonts on this site come from Google Fonts, which doesn’t set cookies but does receive your IP address when the fonts load. There’s more about this in the privacy policy.

Controlling cookies in your browser

As well as the settings on this site, every browser lets you see, block and delete cookies. Blocking essential cookies may stop parts of some websites working properly. Your browser’s help pages explain how, or you can find guidance at ico.org.uk.

Changes to this policy

If the cookies this website uses change, I’ll update this page and ask for your permission again where it’s needed.