RUGBY legend Peter Brown has achieved plenty in his 73 years.

He captained Scotland and produced the winning kick against England at Twickenham, won countless tournaments as part of the famous Gala Sevens side and is now helping young people to make their way into work.

But Peter - better known as PC - fulfilled a lifetime ambition on Friday evening by speaking to Galashiels Burns Club in its 107th year.

The Ayrshire man had a packed Volunteer Hall enthralled by tales of both rugby and Burns - and how the two have been entwined throughout his career.

And he was joined on the stage by a host of other speakers and entertainers which provided Galaleans with an evening of music, laughter and thoughts on what the legacy of Burns has, and still, means to Scotland and the world.

The evening started as ever with the sound of the pipes, as Drew Ness led Tom Cass to the stage with “The great chieftain of the puddin-race”.

Galashiels Burns Club President Keith Cowan gave the Address to the Haggis and tore open the casing to reveal the same aroma which Burns himself would have enjoyed over 200 years ago.

Before the 150-plus audience could tuck into their supper, the Club paid the ultimate tribute to Russell Robertson for his 14 years service as secretary with a life membership.

After Kail soup, haggis wi mashed neeps and champit tatties, followed by stirk pie and bannock and kebbuck, members were ready to clap their hands and raise their voices for a night of celebration.

First up was well known local musician Malcolm McEwen, better known across the Borders as Shankend Mac, who returned after his superb performance last year.

He once again did not disappoint, performing Westlin Winds - also known as Composed in August by some - in a melodic manner which was fitting of the song’s themes of love and nature.

Malcolm would later play A Man’s a Man for A’ That - the perfect protest song from Burns greatest hits collection.

Then it was the turn of PC Brown. or Broon frae Troon who grew up in the shadow of Burns, but told the crowd he belonged to Galashiels as well, meaning his invite to deliver The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns was gleefully accepted.

The retired accountant recalled his first ever Scotland game against France in 1964, making his debut alongside Jim Telfer.

He whispered Burns poetry to himself to calm his nerves while on the bus to the game, and it inspired PC to help Scotland to a 10-0 win.

PC also felt the pressure, along with his team-mates, when Gala were dominating the Borders sevens circuit in the late 1960s and early 1970s and would again recite Burns in the dressing rooms between ties to ease the tension.

And while admitting he is not a Burns aficionado, he revealed his family have grown up in the tradition, with a rendition of Ae Fond Kiss by his daughter Julie sending a shiver up his spine during a Burns supper in New Zealand.

Despite now being retired, PC is still involved with a youth employment charity and gets challenged youngsters to recite Tam O’Shanter to improve their confidence, and ultimately their chances of getting a job. As a champion of social justice, I am sure Burns would have approved.

It was fitting that Tam’s night from hell was performed next by Rob Willocks, supplying theatrics and humour to the epic tale. He would later deliver the Bard’s famous attack on the Church in Holy Willie’s Prayer with further gusto.

Galashiels-born Brian Holton was next up to give the toast to The Lassies. Brian is currently the only publisher of Chinese-Scots translations in the world and his global view provided an informative and well researched speech.

Another Galalean, Sandy Heard had earlier led a rendition of Ye Banks and Braes before he had the Volunteer Hall bursting with pride as they sang along to the town’s own Burns anthem, Braw Braw Lads. Sandy was ably accompanied by Chris Achenbach on piano, who deserves a mention for his commitment to the annual dinner.

Next came Walkerburn’s Dr Colin Russell, who is chairman of the International Congress of Educational Leadership Societies and address Land O’Cakes - Caledonia.

He convincingly argued that Burns was a pioneer of Romanticism, and without him there would have been “No Shelley, Hogg or Scott”.

Finally, club member Tommy Turnbull summarised the evening perfectly with the vote of thanks as Galashiels once again paid tribute to Scotland’s greatest ever export.