IT'S all change at St Leonard's Hospice, as the chairman who has served the board of trustees and the community of York and Selby for 23 years retires.

Trevor Copley retired from his post at the annual general meeting of the hospice this week.

Taking over the chairmanship is trustee Dr Peter Kennedy, former chief executive of York Hospitals and Community Services, and until recently co-director of the Northern Centre of Mental Health.

Of his new post, Dr Kennedy said: "It is an honour with a great responsibility to take over the chair of St Leonard's.

"During Trevor's chairmanship, staff and volunteers have developed such a special service for patients and families.

"I will do my very best to help them maintain that tradition and those high standards.

Mr Copley said: "My involvement with St Leonard's has been a privileged and rewarding experience.

"With the Millennium Appeal target achieved and the new building becoming ready for occupation, I believe it is the right time for me to hand over to a new chairman who will see the hospice through its next period of development.

"I can think of no person more suitable or more qualified than Peter and I am confident that the hospice will continue to provide a first-class service under his leadership."

Retiring as a trustee is Mae Graham, who was one of the four members of the Royal College of Nursing who campaigned for a hospice in York in the 1970s.

Also stepping down is deputy chairman Peter Hopwood.

Paying tribute to the retiring chairman and trustees, Steven Harker, chief executive of St Leonard's, said: "St Leonard's owes a great deal to all its many trustees who give their time so freely.

"Peter Hopwood, a management accountant by profession, has been a much valued member of the finance and investment committee and excellent deputy chairman.

"The vision and creativity of Trevor Copley and Mae Graham, and other members of the original steering committee, were paramount in making St Leonard's the success and highly regarded place it is today.

"As chairman, Trevor has steadfastly steered the organisation from its infancy, to the opening of the original development in 1985 and thereafter."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, October 05, 2001