"Might this be of interest? Some years ago my wife worked in the Bank of England and consequently has an account there. When she tried to use her first cheque in Newcastle to buy something it was refused with the remark: "what's this, monopoly money"?

"More recently the bank has withdrawn its cheque guarantee card and replaced it with a cash point card. As the only cash point is in Threadneedle Street and we live in Herefordshire this is a bit of a drag to put it mildly. It is along way to go to stand in a queue with the likes of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh [Would you give your pin number to a footman?].

"So perhaps it is not just foreigners and Geordies who have doubts about the strength and stability of the pound. Do you think the B of E know something we do not?

"Anyway a bit of nonsense for you. Your commentaries and writings are invaluable, educational and a triumph of common sense which cuts through the misinformation which abounds."

David Fuller's view Thank you for your kind words regarding Fullermoney and especially for this splendid story regarding the BoE.

I can certainly understand your frustration. However as one who had a brief scuffle in the 1970s with a splendidly costumed and moustachioed BoE military type, because I refused to leave without seeing an official regarding an artistic currency book cover which allegedly violated counterfeiting restrictions by depicting a £20 note on a flagpole beside other nations' currencies, I probably should not comment further on the BoE's cheque book or cash point cards. Veteran subscribers may recall the cover for the Currency chart book mentioned above.