WITH 12,000 troops and 8,000 dependant families, Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire is the largest concentration of troops in Europe. Under the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, it is set to grow even further.

The man in charge of what amounts to a small town is Colonel Stephen Padgett, a no-nonsense Yorkshireman.

A career soldier, Col Padgett attended Batley Grammar School. At the age of 19 he spurned university and joined the Army, and in April 1980 he was commissioned into Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire.

During a much-varied career, he has undertaken operational tours in Northern Ireland, the UK and Germany.

As part of Operation Herrick, he was both the commander of the British Army in Afghanistan and Defence Attaché to the British Ambassador in Kabul.

His last posting prior to taking on the job as commander of Catterick Garrison was in the United States at the Pentagon in Washington DC.

In recognition of his military service, Col Padgett was made an OBE in the Operational Honours List.

Having spent a great deal of time in the Dales visiting in his younger days, and serving here as a captain in the 1980s, Col Padgett is more than happy with his new role.

He said: “As a Yorkshireman, I love the area we live in. I spent a great deal of time here as a child as we often used to visit.

“I like the variety that it brings in that it is something totally different from one day to the next. However, I do dislike short-term fixes.

They may save a few pounds but a more longterm or strategic look at a problem can produce a better result.”

Hinting that he will instigate changes, Col Padgett is coy with the details.

Founded in 1914 by Lord Baden Powell, Catterick Garrison is not a single military base, but a collection of separate units each with their own role within the British Army.

Covering 2,400 acres, with a further 20,000 devoted to training, the site houses units of infantry, armoured corps, engineers, artillery, logistics and other support units such as medics. Selection for the elite Parachute Regiment takes place at Catterick, with both reservists and cadets making extensive use of the shooting ranges and other facilities.

It is also home to the Infantry Training Centre, where recruits enter as civilians, complete their basic training, and emerge as soldiers.

Additionally, the 4th Mechanized Brigade – the Black Rats – made up of many historic regiments, is based at Catterick. Both the ITC and the Black Rats are commanded by their own brigadier, and along with Ripon, Topcliffe and Northallerton, all come under the Garrison’s military umbrella.

In tandem with the military expansion, a joint venture, between Kier Property and Lingfield Securities, will see a town centre development plan create up to 700 new jobs and significantly boost the local economy. By Easter 2015, it is scheduled to include several major retail units, a five-screen cinema, cafes, restaurants and bars, and a 60-bed hotel.

As part of his role, Col Padgett is responsible for liaison with the businesses and other vested interests regarding the development.

He said: “It is my job to represent the interests of the soldiers and their families and the MoD, or more specifically the Army.

“I also work alongside the district and county councils as regards housing and schools and of course with the police.”

The site has both a civil and Military Police station situated close to each other and alongside the golf course sits the foreboding military courthouse where those who offend military discipline are punished.

With his vast experience, security is a big consideration for Col Padgett and his staff – it is the one thing they must get right 100 per cent of the time. He explained: “Security is a big issue, we simply cannot afford to get it wrong.”

Catterick Garrison is also the home of Foxglove Covert nature reserve, 100 acres of moorland edge, which is completely surrounded by an array of military hardware and troops. How does he feel about its presence?

He said: “Regarding Foxglove, I am a supporter of what it has achieved and have every intention of supporting its continued presence.

However, there are issues relating to the access and security and I will be pushing for an enhancement to make it less problematic.”

He is immensely proud of the military and thinks the British Army is still a force to be reckoned with. He said: “In my opinion the British soldier is better than when I joined in respect of their training, potential, potency and experience. You would be hard pressed to find a body of troops better than the Brits – anywhere.”

Col Padgett and his wife Amanda have two children – both soldiers. Daughter Georgina is a captain in the Royal Army Dental Corps and son Thomas a lieutenant in the King’s Royal Hussars.

To relax, Col Padgett runs, cycles, shoots and engages in a spot of fly-fishing.