How cookies are used
Last updated: May 2026
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites work, remember choices, measure visits, improve performance, and support features such as embedded content or security tools.
Similar technologies may also be used, including pixels, tags, local storage, session storage, scripts and device identifiers. In this policy, we use “cookies” to refer to cookies and similar technologies.
2. Who we are
The Ditch is a local news and information website covering Redditch and Worcestershire.
If you have questions about cookies or privacy, contact us at hello@theditch.co.uk.
3. Why we use cookies
We may use cookies to:
- Make the website work properly.
- Keep the website secure.
- Remember cookie preferences.
- Understand how visitors use the website.
- Improve website performance and layout.
- Support embedded content such as maps, videos, social media posts, booking links or external tools.
- Measure the effectiveness of content, features or promotions.
4. Types of cookies we may use
| Type | Purpose | Consent |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary cookies | These help the website function properly. They may support security, page loading, forms, accessibility features, login areas, spam protection or cookie preference storage. | These are usually needed for the website to work and may not require consent. |
| Preference cookies | These may remember choices such as cookie settings, display preferences or other settings that improve your visit. | Some preference cookies may require consent unless they are strictly necessary for a service requested by the visitor. |
| Analytics cookies | These help us understand how people use the website, such as which pages are visited, how long visitors stay, and how the website performs. | These are usually non essential and should only be used where consent has been given. |
| Marketing or advertising cookies | These may be used to measure adverts, support sponsored content, personalise advertising, or understand interactions with promotional material. | These are non essential and should only be used where consent has been given. |
| Third party cookies | These may be set by external services such as embedded videos, maps, social media platforms, booking tools, ticketing pages, analytics providers or advertising networks. | These may require consent depending on their purpose. |
5. Strictly necessary cookies
Some cookies are needed for the website to function properly. These may be used without asking for consent where they are essential to provide the website or a service requested by the visitor.
Examples may include cookies used for website security, preventing spam, loading pages correctly, remembering cookie choices, or enabling forms and basic site functions.
6. Analytics cookies
We may use analytics tools to understand how visitors use the website. Analytics information may include pages visited, approximate location, device type, browser type, referral source and general usage patterns.
Analytics helps us understand which pages are useful, how the website is performing, and where improvements may be needed.
Analytics cookies are not essential to the basic operation of the website. Where required, they should only run after a visitor has given consent.
7. Embedded content and third party services
Some pages may include embedded content or links from third party services. This may include maps, videos, social media posts, ticketing pages, booking links, newsletters, advertising tools or external forms.
These services may place cookies or collect information about your interaction with their content. Their use of cookies is controlled by their own cookie and privacy policies.
8. Social media
The Ditch may link to or embed content from social media platforms. If you interact with those platforms, they may collect information about you, especially if you are logged into your account with them.
You should check the relevant social media platform’s privacy and cookie information for details about how they use data.
9. Managing cookie choices
Where a cookie consent tool is active on the website, you can use it to accept, reject or manage non essential cookies.
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block cookies, delete cookies, or receive alerts before cookies are stored.
Blocking some cookies may affect how parts of the website work.
10. Browser controls
You can usually manage cookies through your browser settings. The exact steps depend on the browser and device you are using.
Common options include:
- Deleting existing cookies.
- Blocking all cookies.
- Blocking third party cookies.
- Allowing cookies only from selected websites.
- Using private browsing or incognito mode.
11. Cookie consent
Where consent is required, it should be freely given, specific, informed and based on a clear positive action. Non essential cookies should not be set before consent where consent is required.
Visitors should be able to refuse non essential cookies as well as accept them.
12. Changes to this Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time, especially if the website changes, new services are added, or legal requirements change.
The latest version will be published on this page.
13. Contact
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how cookies are used on The Ditch, contact:
Email: hello@theditch.co.uk