Roz

I'm pretty sure you can still pay in a cheque at any bank. You just need a paying in slip. You should have/be able to get a paying in book from your bank with slips printed with all your details.
I'm not sure about the Post Office. I know they have arrangements with the major banks for withdrawal facilities but whether you can pay in I don't know, but its worth asking.

I know what you're saying about parcel deliveries. We have had problems, mainly with Parcel Force, both in London and here in Norwich. The most recent one was when a parcel didn't arrive and eventually I contacted Parcel Force and the excuse was that the driver was a Temp and couldn't find the address. I suggested that they put an A-Z in the vans! Its worth phoning the freephone number on the vans and kicking up a stink. Its the only way I found to get any action. I ended up with the unlisted number of the desk of the manager of the Parcel Force Depot. Its amazing the service you get when you talk to the organ grinder not the monkey.
As I hadn't received a note through the door the parcel would never have been delivered if I hadn't contacted them directly.