Cookie Policy
Cookie Policy For This Site
Cookie Policy
Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Cheshire
Registered Charity Number: 512541
Last updated: 25 August 2026
1. About this policy
This policy explains what cookies are, which cookies cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk uses, why we use them, and how you can control them.
It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains more broadly how we handle personal data.
Our use of cookies is governed by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) and, where cookies involve personal data, by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
2. What are cookies?
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. Cookies allow a site to recognise your device, remember your preferences, and keep certain features working properly.
We also use the word “cookies” in this policy to cover similar technologies such as local storage, session storage and tracking pixels.
Cookies can be described in two ways:
- First-party cookies are set by the website you are visiting. Third-party cookies are set by another organisation whose content appears on the page.
- Session cookies are deleted when you close your browser. Persistent cookies stay on your device until they expire or you delete them.
3. Our approach to cookies
We do not track you. This website uses no analytics cookies, no advertising cookies, no social media tracking pixels, and no functional or preference cookies. We do not build profiles of visitors, we do not measure your behaviour across our pages, and we do not share any information about your visit with advertisers or data brokers.
The only cookies this website sets are strictly necessary ones, which keep the site working and allow members to log in securely. Under UK law, strictly necessary cookies may be placed without asking for your consent, because the website cannot function properly without them.
Because we set no other cookies, you will not see a cookie consent banner on this site.
4. Cookies used on this website
4.1 Strictly necessary cookies
These are required for the website to function and for the members’ area to work. They cannot be switched off.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
wordpress_[hash] | This site | Authenticates you when logged in to the members’ area | Session |
wordpress_logged_in_[hash] | This site | Keeps you logged in and identifies your account | Session, or up to 14 days if “Remember Me” is selected |
wordpress_sec_[hash] | This site | Secures the logged-in session over HTTPS | Session |
wp-settings-[id] / wp-settings-time-[id] | This site | Remembers screen layout preferences for logged-in members only | 1 year |
wordpress_test_cookie | This site | Checks whether your browser accepts cookies | Session |
If you never log in to the members’ area, most of these cookies are never set on your device.
4.2 Analytics and advertising cookies
None. We do not use Google Analytics or any other visitor-tracking, audience-measurement, remarketing or advertising service on this website.
4.3 Functional and preference cookies
None. We do not set cookies to remember display preferences, language choices or similar settings for ordinary visitors.
4.4 Third-party embedded content
Some pages may include content hosted by other organisations, such as embedded videos or maps. When that content loads, the provider receives your IP address and may set its own cookies under its own privacy policy. We do not control those cookies and we receive no information from them.
| Provider | Where it may appear | More information |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube (Google) | Embedded videos | Google Privacy Policy |
| Google Maps | Lodge directions map | Google Privacy Policy |
| Facebook (Meta) | Social media links | Meta Privacy Policy |
Simply clicking through to our Facebook or YouTube pages takes you to those websites, where their own cookie and privacy terms apply.
5. Server logs
Separately from cookies, our hosting provider records standard technical information each time a page is requested, including your IP address, browser type and the time of the request. This is not done using cookies, is not used to track or identify you, and exists only for security and to keep the website working. See our Privacy Policy for details.
6. How to manage cookies
All major browsers let you see which cookies are stored, delete them, and block them entirely. Please note that blocking all cookies will prevent the members’ area from working, as the login cookies listed above are essential to it.
For general independent guidance on cookies, see aboutcookies.org.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy if we change the cookies we use or if the law changes. The current version is always published on this page with the date it was last updated.
8. Contact us
If you have any question about this policy, please contact:
Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Cheshire
Email: secretariat@cheshiremarkmasons.co.uk
[PROVINCIAL OFFICE ADDRESS]
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK supervisory authority for data protection, at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.