After setting this discussion going I visited Lloyds Bank where the helpdesk man said that the banks have done lots of scaremongering about cheques but haven't actually worked out a sensible substitute for all those things where they're still the best thing to use. Back at the clubhouse - not too far from your very expensive one, but only £140 per year - we agreed at a meeting that cheques might be old fashioned, but they are still the best tool for the job. So - in order to belong to the club you need a cheque book, and thats that till further notice.
B