Society Policies

At Cornford Lane Wine Society, we want to give our members the best educational and social experience. That’s why we believe our Society policies should be fair, clear, and transparent. Read about them below, and contact us with questions.

Last updated: 2 August 2026

Who we are. The Cornford Lane Wine Society ("CLWS", "the Society", "we") is a small, not-for-profit members' society for people who enjoy learning about wine. For anything in this policy, contact us at nickr@clws.online.

What we collect. We keep the personal information you give us: your name and contact details when you apply to join or use our contact form; your login details if you become a member of the website; messages you send us; and RSVPs for society events. Photographs are sometimes taken at our events and may appear in our gallery or on our Instagram account. Like most websites, our site also collects limited technical information through cookies (see our Cookie Policy below).

Why we collect it. We use this information to consider membership applications, run the Society and its events, keep members informed about Society activities, and keep the website working. In legal terms, we rely on: taking steps you've asked for (handling your application and membership), our legitimate interests in running a small members' society, and your consent where we ask for it. We do not send marketing emails, we do not use your information for third-party marketing, we do not sell it, and we do not share it with anyone except the service providers below.

Who processes it for us. Our website and member accounts are hosted by Wix; our email runs on Migadu, a Swiss provider hosting data in Europe; and our gallery displays content from Instagram (Meta). We do not use third-party analytics services. These providers may process data outside the UK; where they do, they rely on recognised safeguards such as UK adequacy decisions or standard contractual clauses.

The members area. Members have personal logins. The members area includes a list of current members with their contact details, and the society's kitty ledger (contributions, purchases and balances) — both visible only to other members. Being listed is part of membership; tell us if you'd like any detail left off.

Photographs. If you'd rather not appear in event photos, tell the organiser on the day, and we'll remove any published photo of you on request.

How long we keep it. Membership records are kept while you are a member and for up to 12 months after you leave. Unsuccessful or withdrawn applications are deleted within 3 months. Messages are kept only as long as needed to deal with them.

Your rights. You can ask us for a copy of your information, ask us to correct or delete it, object to or restrict our use of it, and withdraw any consent at any time — just email us. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk), though we'd appreciate the chance to sort things out first.

COOKIE POLICY

Cookies are small files placed on your device by websites you visit. Our site uses: essential cookies set by our hosting platform (Wix) to make the site and member logins work — these can't be switched off; site-measurement cookies, also set by Wix, which give us anonymous visitor statistics and only run if you accept them via the cookie banner (we use no third-party analytics such as Google Analytics); and social media cookies which may be set when Instagram content is embedded on our Gallery page. You can change your choices any time via the cookie settings link on this site, and most browsers let you block or delete cookies — though blocking essential ones may stop parts of the site (such as member login) working.

WEBSITE TERMS OF USE

About this site. This website is run by the Cornford Lane Wine Society, a small not-for-profit members' society. Using the site means you accept these terms.

What the site is for. The site shares information about the Society, wine appreciation and wine education, and provides a members area for our members. Content about wine — tasting notes, reading suggestions, courses, links — is general interest and educational material, not professional advice, and we don't guarantee it is complete or current.

No sales. Nothing on this site is offered for sale, and nothing on it is an offer to sell alcohol.

Membership accounts. Member logins are personal. Keep your password to yourself and tell us if you think your account has been misused. We may suspend accounts used in breach of these terms or our Membership Terms.

Acceptable use. Don't misuse the site: no attempts to gain unauthorised access, no scraping other members' details, no posting unlawful or offensive material, and no use of the site or contact forms for commercial solicitation. Messages claiming to be "website support" sent through our own contact form are treated as spam.

Other people's sites. We link to third-party sites we find interesting — wine schools, retailers, publications. We don't control them, don't endorse them, and aren't responsible for their content, prices or service.

Our content. The Society and its contributors own the text and images on this site (Instagram content belongs to its owners). You're welcome to share links; please don't republish our content commercially without asking.

Liability. The site is provided free of charge, as-is. To the extent the law allows, we aren't liable for loss arising from use of the site or reliance on its content. Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded.

Law. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.

MEMBERSHIP TERMS

Eligibility. Membership is open to adults aged 18 or over with an interest in wine appreciation and education.

Joining. Apply via the site. Applications are considered by the committee, which may accept or decline at its discretion. Membership is currently free.

What membership is. The Society is a not-for-profit group run by its members for education and enjoyment: talks, tastings, trips, shared reading and study resources, and a members area on this site. Members are expected to treat each other with respect, drink responsibly at events, and not use the Society or its membership list for commercial purposes.

Events. Events may need an RSVP and may have costs (venues, travel, tickets) arranged and communicated per event. Attendance is at your own choice and, for third-party venues and travel, subject to their terms.

Photography. Photos are sometimes taken at events for the Society's gallery and Instagram; tell the organiser if you'd rather not appear.

Your data. Handled as described in the Privacy Policy. The members area includes a members list with contact details and the society's kitty ledger (contributions and balances), visible only to other members.

Leaving and removal. You may resign at any time by emailing us. The committee may end a membership where these terms are breached or where continued membership isn't in the Society's interests, after letting the member have their say.

Changes. The committee may update these terms; current members will be told of significant changes.

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING

The Society exists to help its members learn about and appreciate wine. We take a responsible approach: our activities are for adults aged 18 and over; nothing on this website sells or offers alcohol; tastings at our events are conducted in moderation, with water and the option to spit always available; and members are asked never to drive after drinking — we encourage shared transport or local venues. For independent advice about alcohol, visit drinkaware.co.uk.