Beef and ale stew with dumplings

Name: Beef and ale stew with dumplings
Ingredients: 50 g plain flour; 1.2kg chuck, stewing or casserole beef steak, trimmed and cut into 5cm (2in) chunks; 4 tbsp. olive oil; 2 large onions, sliced; 300 mL beef stock; 500 mL ale; 1 bay leaf; 4 sprigs fresh thyme; 200 g button mushrooms, halved if large; None; 2 large carrots, cut into 5cm chunks; 100 g plain flour; 1 tsp. baking powder; 50 g butter; 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish; 1 tsp. fresh thyme, leaves picked; 50 g extra mature Cheddar cheese, grated