I have tried various methods too LD blanching /not blanching young beans and I would say they remain edible for a few weeks but like Barry I won’t bother again not that I have any to freeze this year with my blackfly infested crop.
I froze last years crop, I must admit that they did spend 6 months or so in tge freezer and when used they were a bit stringy and lacked flavour
Oh well, Looks like we will be having bean sandwiches this evening.
I just couldn’t grow a bean this year! Even in their own small pots, they just wouldn’t grow. I usually have small bean plants in the ground by 13th May
I perservered and l now have grown four plants. They are really behind but maybe, l might get a few?
I cut up any surplus beans very finely and freeze them, no blanching as l feel it makes them slushy.
I usually steam them from frozen with lots of other fresh vegetables and they aren’t so bad.
Thanks Art.
How strange you couldn’t grow them earlier.
Plenty of beans here folks, just roll up and pick your own you’re welcome… 
Longy, It happened the same to me a few years ago and l had to buy bean plants in the end.
I think, l might’ve watered them too much and they rotted?
Barry, I haven’t even got flowers on the four plants yet!
I have got runner beans for dinner today though. A boy in my daughter’s class lives on a farm and he brought in a selection of vegetables for her as a leaving present.
Just eaten some of the first batch. They were fantastic, so tasty compared to shop bought.
http://www.over50sforum.com/picture.php?albumid=1400&pictureid=12161
Strange how fortunes differ though, my runners have been brilliant but I lost the whole crop of french beans to a combination of blackfly and weevils eating the roots, but hey that’s gardening, win a few lose a few… 
LD 
they look great.
Home grown taste very different from the commercially grown ones don’t they which are grown for yield not flavour.
Thanks Meg. I had to resist letting them grow too big as apparently they are tastier when slightly smaller than those bought in a shop.
Yes they are best eaten small before they get tough and stringy
I have to laugh at myself. I have been treating these beans like they are my babies whereas normally, I think nothing of wasting a few beans that dry up in the fridge. :-p
I have noticed that the growth has slowed up quite a bit. There are still plenty on there but they are only small. Is there anything I should be doing to promote growth? Can I still feed them Tomorite? Do I need to pinch out more or remove a few leaves?
Worried from Beanland.
Dear Beanland
We are having the same problem…water…plenty of…and often might do the trick…and talk to them, be kind and encouraging
Regards
Concerned W Mids
ps. the courgettes have gone mad…
In this weather its water, water and yet more water for them although we always found best thing before planting runner beans was to dig in plenty of our homemade compost helped.
The wife planted some runner beans several weeks ago.
Every time we look now, the plants are full of them and they are actually very good: big and tender.
We have so many now that there are far too many for us to eat, so the wife has put many in the freezer and is giving away handfuls to all our friends.
I’ve tried to explain to her the futility of her actions, and that we should be selling them.
Cougettes! Thank God for that. I thought they were runner beans. 
I’m impressed Rehab. I might consider growing those next year.
LD 
as the others say beans like water both around the roots and ‘mist’ the flowers with a spray to stop them dropping off before setting.