Starting Broad Beans in Pots

A quick update on this - I sowed two large pots each of two varieties the first week in October and they were through when we got back three weeks later. Today I planted out ten each of Masterpiece & Grano Violetto which were a really good size.
I also sowed a row of each the day after we came back and they're just starting to push through, so all in all it has worked out well, thanks largely to a very mild autumn (we're still harvesting outdoor courgettes & peppers).
Thanks all for your input.