FGVW - Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy

NOTE: This document explains what cookies are, which we use and why we use them. We recommend that you read the policy fully. For more details about your personal data please refer to our Privacy Notice.

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a technology for remembering information between web pages. Because of cookies your web browser can remember you are logged in to a web site, have put items in a shopping basket, have visited a site before, or what your personal preferences are. Most web sites use cookies of some sort, and have been doing so for many years.

In reality, a cookie is a small text file which is stored by the user's web browser. The cookie only contains data, not code, so it can't contain a virus or spyware. This doesn't mean that all cookies are harmless in intent, but they can only ever store information.

See www.allaboutcookies.org for more information about cookies.

What cookies do we use?

Most of the cookies we use on the FGVW web site are just "analytical" cookies. They allow us to recognise and count the number of site visitors and to see how these visitors move around the site when they're using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works e.g. by making sure visitors are finding the information they need as easily as possible.

In the table below ("Our Cookies") we set out what cookies we use on our website and how they are used. To read the table it is useful to know the following:

Cookies have a lifetime. Some only last until you close your browser or a short time. These are called "session cookies". Some last longer though, for example, to enable a website to recognise you when you return to them. These are called "persistent cookies".
Cookies placed directly by a website owner (like us) are known as "first party cookies" and most modern websites also use technology provided by other people/businesses, for example to show Twitter feeds or YouTube videos. Cookies placed by other parties are known as "third party cookies".

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential to enable you to move around websites and use their features, such as accessing secure areas of the sites. Without these cookies, services you have asked for like shopping baskets or electronic billing cannot be provided.

Functionality cookies

These are cookies that allow websites to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language or the region you are in) and to provide enhanced, more personal features. These cookies can remember changes you have made to text size, fonts and other parts of web pages you can customise.

They may also be used to provide services you have asked for, such as watching a video or commenting on a blog.

Performance cookies

These cookies collect information about how you use websites, for example which pages you go to most often and if you get an error message. These cookies are used to improve how websites work.

Third Party Cookies

We include content from other websites such as Twitter and give you the option to share on social media sites such as Facebook. We love it when you share information from our website, but when you do, please be aware that additional cookies and similar technologies may be placed on your computer, mobile phone or tablet device from these other websites. We are not responsible for these so please check the privacy and cookie policies of the social media networks you use for full details of what they do.

Our Cookies

Google Analytics

Cookie Name	Expiration Time	Description
_ga	2 years	Used to distinguish users.
_gid	24 hours	Used to distinguish users.
_gat	1 minute	Used to throttle request rate.
_gat_ gtag_[property_id]	Session	Identification code of website for tracking visits.

Twitter Widget

Cookie Name	Expiration Time	Description
lang	Session	This cookie is set due to Twitter integration and sharing capabilities for the social media.
pid	18 months	Collects anonymous data related to the user's visits to the website, such as the number of visits, average time spent on the website and which pages have been loaded, with the purpose of personalising and improving the Twitter service.
metrics_token	35 days	Counts the number of users that have a specific embedded Tweet or timeline.

If you concerned about third party cookies, you can often opt-out directly (such as with Google Analytics, please visit Google for details). Note that these providers may use cookies to power their opt-out service, so if you change your browser settings to block all cookies, their opt-out service may cease to work and you may still receive adverts.

We regularly review the cookies we and our suppliers use to continually improve our services to you. As a result, we will need to change this policy from time to time to keep it accurate and up to date. If we change this policy, we will tell you. That way you can check to see if you are happy with our new policy and adjust your browser settings if you want to before proceeding any further. Please look out for these notices in future when you are using our website.

How Can You Manage Cookies?

To manage all cookies placed on your computer, mobile phone or tablet device through your web browser settings, please consult your browser's guide or visit www.allaboutcookies.org or www.aboutcookies.org for more information. Some browsers are more sophisticated than others in managing these technologies, so if you want greater controls, it would be worth comparing a few of them. To manage cookies on your mobile phone please refer to your user manual.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about our use of cookies.