Should farmers be paid to allow walkers access to their land? Notes

to keep something that way – to be determined not to allow something to change. May indicate a slightly unreasonable attitude or stubbornness – (eg He hasn’t lifted a finger to help us, and he clearly intends to keep it that way….’)
a king’s ransom – idiom – a large amount of money – usually suggesting an unreasonably high sum of money.

Various words and phrases remind the reader that conflict over land is an ancient one. The word ‘dwelling‘ is one, ‘a king’s ransom‘ is another.

IFA – the Irish Farmers’ Association, which has taken the opposite stance from the Keep Ireland Open movement, saying that the right to roam infringes their property rights and that farmers deserve to paid if people wish to walk on their land.

‘Please don’t tell me ……‘ – this is a phrase with an edge of irritation, suggesting the speaker can already predict being challenged with a poor argument or defence which (s) he has heard before.

‘under no circumstances are we going to…’ – emphatic phrase – ….. nor do we think …. note the word order!

Access To The Countryside Bill – a bill is a law before it goes through the British parliament. This attempted to clarify rights and allow people more access to open countryside.

Vocabulary from the exercises

to be out of step – to have opinions, ideas or ways of living that are different from those of other people
To bring into line – to cause to confom
A one-off payment – a payment that is only made once
waymarked – (of a footpath) marked with a series of signs to make the route clear