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Privacy & Cookies Policy

Last updated: 27/11/2025

This Privacy & Cookies Policy explains how this website (“the Site”) collects, uses, and protects your personal information. The Site is managed on behalf of Helen Oxenbury, children’s book illustrator.

If you have any questions, please contact: admin@helenoxenbury.co.uk

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

The Site includes a sign-up form for visitors who wish to receive updates about news, events, and related information. When you use this form, we collect:

  • Your name
  • Your email address

This information is collected only when you voluntarily submit it.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

The Site uses certain essential, functional, or anonymous analytics tools. These may collect limited technical data such as browser type, device information, pages visited, general location, and referring URL.

The Site does not use Google Analytics or any personalised tracking system.

Independent Analytics

The Site uses Independent Analytics, a privacy-focused WordPress analytics tool that does not use cookies and does not collect personal data.

Security Tools

Plugins such as Malcare, Litespeed Cache, and Rank Math Pro may process anonymised or technical data as part of their security and performance functions.

1.3 Embedded YouTube Videos

Some pages include embedded YouTube videos via Elementor’s video widget. YouTube’s Privacy Mode is enabled, meaning YouTube does not store cookies until you play a video.

Once you play a video, YouTube may set cookies according to Google’s privacy policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

  • To send newsletters or updates you subscribed to
  • To respond to enquiries
  • To monitor and improve website performance
  • To maintain security and protect against malicious activity
  • To comply with legal obligations

Your information is never sold and is shared only when necessary for site operation.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

  • Consent – for email sign-ups.
  • Legitimate Interests – for site security and anonymous analytics.
  • Legal Obligation – when required by law.

You may withdraw consent at any time by unsubscribing or contacting us.

4. Data Retention

  • Newsletter sign-up data: kept until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • Security logs: kept only as long as necessary
  • Cache data: retained temporarily to improve site performance

5. Cookies

A recent scan identified one functional cookie:

  • wpEmojiSettingsSupports – checks whether your browser supports emoji display. Session cookie, no personal data.

Because the Site uses only essential cookies, a cookie banner is not required under UK/EU regulations.

YouTube may set cookies only once you choose to play an embedded video.

6. Third-Party Services

The following services may process limited technical data as part of their normal operation:

  • Independent Analytics – cookie-free analytics
  • Malcare – website security
  • Litespeed Cache – site speed optimisation
  • Elementor – layout and media elements
  • Rank Math Pro – SEO features (Google Analytics integration disabled)

7. Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct, delete, or object to how your data is used. You can withdraw consent at any time. If you are in the UK/EU, you may also complain to the ICO or your local privacy authority.

8. How We Protect Your Information

We use security systems including Malcare and server-level protections to keep your data safe. Access to personal data is limited to authorised individuals only.

9. Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated occasionally. The “Last updated” date at the top will reflect the latest version.