Cookies
Cookie Policy
Last updated: 17 August 2026
We keep cookies to an absolute minimum. This page explains exactly what we set, why, and what we don't set.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file stored by your browser when you visit a website. Cookies let a site remember things about you, such as whether you're logged in.
Cookies we use
| Name | Purpose | Type | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|
| midlancs_session | Keeps you logged in and remembers form input during your visit. Also protects against form-tampering (CSRF). | Strictly necessary | Session |
| XSRF-TOKEN | Security token used to protect against cross-site request forgery. | Strictly necessary | Session |
| midlancs_cookie_notice | Remembers that you have dismissed the cookie notice, so it doesn't reappear. | Strictly necessary | 12 months |
All of the cookies we set are strictly necessary for the site to function. Under UK PECR rules, strictly necessary cookies do not require consent.
What we do NOT use
- No advertising or tracking cookies
- No Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or similar third-party trackers
- No social-media widgets that set cookies
How we count visits without cookies
We do keep a lightweight, privacy-friendly visit counter (used on our stats page). This uses a one-way hash of your IP address and browser (salted with a secret key), stored server-side. It doesn't set a cookie, doesn't leave your browser, and can't be reversed to identify you.
Managing cookies
You can delete or block cookies through your browser settings. Instructions for the most common browsers are available at aboutcookies.org. If you block the strictly-necessary cookies above, parts of the site (such as logging in) will stop working.
Changes to this policy
If we ever add new cookies, we'll update this page and reset the cookie notice so you see it again. The "last updated" date at the top always reflects the latest version.
