I used to handle flyBe and we did accept bus passes for the elderly as these are issued by the local council they are considered official enough for domestic travel on BE.
My bus pass is also issued by same source. I think what they meant was they wouldn't accept a card bus pass issued by a bus company that can be easily doctored. Ditto for railcards.
Best idea is just to go and find your passport
Yes, but I stayed up through the night and still didn't. However, I did find something else that would have been acceptable, so all was ok in the end!
They certainly check ID, and they did at check in (I had a heavy bag) and again at gate.
All in all, a very efficient service, wonderfully mild at the moment so one of the smoothest flights I've ever had, and E195 is a much smoother interior than the Q400 too!