Terms and Conditions

Please read these terms carefully before using our website

Last updated: 22 February 2026

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms", "Agreement") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User", "You", "Your") and Furness Whisper ("We", "Us", "Our", "Company") governing your use of the Furness Whisper website located at furness-whisper.uk ("Website", "Site", "Service") and all content, services, functionalities, features, applications, and materials made available through this website.

By accessing, browsing, using, or otherwise interacting with this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. If you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately cease all use of this website and may not access or use any of its content or services.

These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service. Your continued use of the Service after any modifications to these Terms constitutes your acceptance of such modifications. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time without prior notice.

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect while you use the Service. We may terminate your access to all or any part of the Service at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice, effective immediately.

2. Use of Content

The content on Furness Whisper, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, photographs, videos, audio recordings, research materials, historical documents, articles, blog posts, stories, data, software, and all other materials ("Content") is provided for educational, informational, and non-commercial purposes only.

The articles, research, images, and materials published on this website are used with explicit written permission from the original copyright holders, and whilst Furness Whisper may not own all the content, it has been granted the lawful right to use, display, and distribute them under the terms of such permissions.

Permitted Uses:

  • Reading and viewing content for personal educational purposes
  • Sharing links to our content on social media platforms
  • Engaging with content through comments and discussions
  • Using content for academic research with proper attribution
  • Printing content for personal, non-commercial use

Prohibited Uses:

  • Copying, reproducing, or duplicating content without written permission
  • Distributing, selling, or commercialising any content
  • Creating derivative works based on our content
  • Using content for commercial advertising or marketing
  • Removing or altering watermarks, copyright notices, or attribution
  • Using content to create competing websites or services
  • Scraping, crawling, or automated collection of content

All images and materials are appropriately watermarked where necessary, in accordance with the permission granted for their use. Any unauthorised use of our content may result in legal action and claims for damages.

If you wish to use any content from this website for purposes other than those expressly permitted, you must obtain prior written consent from Furness Whisper and, where applicable, from the original copyright holders.

3. Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance

At Furness Whisper, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of any personal data you provide. We fully comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679, the Data Protection Act 2018, and all applicable data protection legislation in the United Kingdom.

No Email Sharing or Selling:

We do not share, sell, rent, lease, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. Any data you provide will be stored securely using industry-standard encryption and will not be sold, shared, or distributed to external organisations without your explicit consent, except as required by law.

Data Security Measures:

We implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include but are not limited to:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
  • Secure server infrastructure with regular security updates
  • Access controls and authentication mechanisms
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • Staff training on data protection principles

Data Retention:

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements. When personal data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymised.

International Data Transfers:

We do not transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA) unless adequate protection measures are in place, including appropriate safeguards as required under GDPR Chapter V.

By using this site, you consent to our privacy practices as described in this section and acknowledge that you understand your rights under GDPR.

4. Responsible Use of Information

The information shared on Furness Whisper is intended exclusively to foster the appreciation of local history and heritage through educational and research purposes. All content is provided for informational and academic use only. It is critically important that users understand and comply with the following restrictions:

Educational and Research Purposes Only:

All information, research findings, historical data, photographs, documents, and materials published on this website are intended solely for:

  • Academic research and scholarly study
  • Educational purposes and historical learning
  • Community heritage appreciation and preservation
  • Historical documentation and archival purposes
  • Sharing knowledge with the community

No Unauthorised Activity on Protected Land:

STRICTLY PROHIBITED: The information shared on this site must not be used to locate, access, or engage in any unauthorised activities including but not limited to:

  • Metal detecting on protected or scheduled sites
  • Archaeological digging or excavation without proper permits
  • Trespassing on private property or protected land
  • Disturbing or damaging historical sites or monuments
  • Removing artefacts or historical materials
  • Commercial exploitation of historical information
  • Using information to gain unauthorised access to restricted areas

Respect for Heritage and Legal Compliance:

You must respect and comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws, regulations, and guidelines related to archaeological and historical sites, including but not limited to:

  • UK Heritage Protection Legislation
  • Local Authority Planning and Conservation Regulations
  • National Trust and English Heritage Guidelines
  • Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
  • Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  • International Heritage Protection Conventions

Environmental and Ecological Considerations:

Users must also consider and respect: wildlife protection and habitat preservation; environmental impact of any activities; seasonal restrictions and breeding periods; protected species and their habitats.

Professional Standards and Ethics:

When using our research for academic or professional purposes, you must adhere to: academic integrity and proper citation practices; professional archaeological and historical standards; ethical guidelines for heritage research; respect for cultural sensitivity and community values.

User Responsibility and Liability:

By accessing and using information from this website, you acknowledge and agree that: you are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws; you will not hold Furness Whisper liable for any legal consequences of misuse; you understand the potential legal implications of unauthorised activities; you will seek appropriate permissions before engaging in any field activities.

CRITICAL LEGAL NOTICE:

If you are using Furness Whisper to assist with any activity that may infringe upon the law, including but not limited to metal detecting, archaeological excavation, treasure hunting, or any other activity without proper legal consent, permits, or authorisation, you may be committing criminal offences under UK law. You are solely responsible for ensuring that you comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and legal requirements.

Legal Framework and Criminal Offences:

The following UK legislation contains specific criminal offences that may apply to activities using information from this website:

  • Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (Section 2(1)): It is a criminal offence to carry out any unauthorised work on a Scheduled Monument, including metal detecting, digging, excavating, or disturbing the ground. Penalty: On summary conviction, fine up to £5,000; on indictment, unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment.
  • Treasure Act 1996 (Section 8): Finds that meet the definition of Treasure must be reported to the coroner within 14 days. Failure to report can result in criminal charges. Penalty: Up to 7 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine.
  • Theft Act 1968 (Section 1): Detecting or working on land without the owner's permission may constitute theft if items are removed. Penalty: Up to 7 years imprisonment for theft; up to 14 years for aggravated theft.
  • Criminal Damage Act 1971 (Section 1): Damaging land or historic structures may result in charges of criminal damage. Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine.
  • Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988 (Section 16): Our research is protected by copyright law. Unauthorised use constitutes copyright infringement. Penalty: Up to 10 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine for criminal copyright infringement.

Additional relevant legislation includes: Protection of Badgers Act 1992; Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990; Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Legal Advice and Compliance:

If you are unsure about the legality of any activity, you must: seek independent legal advice before proceeding; obtain all necessary permissions and permits; consult with relevant authorities and landowners; ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

DISCLAIMER: Furness Whisper does not provide legal advice and accepts no responsibility for any legal consequences arising from the use of information on this website. Users are solely responsible for ensuring their activities comply with all applicable laws.

6. Disclaimer

Whilst we make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information, I welcome and encourage feedback. If you notice an error or believe that something is missing or incorrect, please feel free to reach out. I believe that learning is a two-way process, and I appreciate the opportunity to grow from feedback.

History is subjective, and everyone brings a unique perspective. I encourage respectful debates and exchanges of ideas, as long as all participants approach the conversation with kindness and mutual respect.

By engaging with this website and its content, you agree to approach discussions in a spirit of respect, and refrain from any form of aggression or hostility.

7. User Obligations

As a user of this website, you agree to:

  • Use the website for lawful purposes only.
  • Refrain from using any content for commercial or illegal purposes.
  • Respect the intellectual property and privacy rights of others.
  • Not engage in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the website's operations or compromises its security.
  • Ensure any content you post or share does not violate any laws, rights of others, or these terms.

8. Limitations of Liability

Furness Whisper makes every effort to ensure the information provided is accurate. However, the website and all content are provided "as is" and Furness Whisper makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information.

You agree that Furness Whisper will not be held responsible for any losses, damages, or legal actions arising from your use of the website or any reliance on the content provided.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

All intellectual property rights relating to the content on Furness Whisper, including but not limited to text, images, videos, and research, are used with permission from the original copyright holders. Furness Whisper holds the right to display and share this content under the granted permissions.

No part of the website's content may be reproduced, distributed, or modified without prior written permission from the copyright holders.

10. Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites that are not controlled by Furness Whisper. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any third-party sites, and your interaction with these sites is subject to their terms and conditions.

11. Non-Profit Operation

Furness Whisper is a free, non-profit website operated solely for educational purposes and to share the history and heritage of the local area. All content on this website is and will always remain completely free and accessible to everyone.

12. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom. Any disputes arising from these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the UK courts.

13. Modifications

Furness Whisper reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the website will constitute your acceptance of those changes.

14. Contact Information

For questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us through our Furness Whisper contact page.

By using this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.