A CROWD of more than 200 smiling faces welcomed the Duke of Cornwall to Callington to open new disabled facilities in the town. Loud cheers and applause heralded the arrival of Prince Charles at Callington Bowling Club on Tuesday where he officially opened the Callington Disabled Access Project. Tony Parker, chairman of the bowling club, said its members ? and residents of Callington ? were ?honoured? to welcome the Duke to the town. During the visit he met members of the club, the town?s dignitaries and some of its residents. He also unveiled a plaque commemorating the event and even tried his hand at bowls, bowling three woods down the green to great applause from the gathered crowd. ?The last time a member of the Royal Family visited Callington was in about 1954,? said Mr Parker. ?We feel very privileged and lucky to have him here. ?We were slightly disappointed to discover that the Duchess of Cornwall could not come but we understand the reasons why. Our thoughts are with her.? He added: ?It is a big day for the bowling club and one which will stay with us for many years to come. ?These facilities are much-needed and will be widely used.? The club?s new £70,000 facilities ? which were funded by the Duchy of Cornwall and the Cornwall Community Foundation, of which the Duchess of Cornwall is patron, include a special remote controlled ramp to the green. Tarmac was also laid down around the green to provide better wheelchair access. The plans were drawn up following talks with the Plymouth and District Wheelchair Bowlers? Association. Disabled club member, Barbara Otter, 71, described the club?s new features as ?marvellous? and said she could not wait to get on the green. Among the Callington residents lucky enough to meet the Prince was the Crago family. Natalie and Paul Crago took their four sons aged between five and nine to the event. Nine-year-old Richard Crago said: ?He was really nice to all of us. ?He asked me what school I went to and whether we had to leave early to come up to the bowling club. ?We told him we came straight after choir practice.? Mrs Crago added: ?The Prince was great with the children. It is a day they will remember for years to come.?