Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester, is celebrating the birth of two baby giraffes within a month. The latest arrival was born on Friday 6th June and Keepers at the conservation charity have called her Tiye after a beautiful queen of Ancient Egypt. Tiye, who is already over 6ft tall, is being looked after by her mum, Mary. The name also means beautiful and gorgeous.
 
She joins baby Christa, who is being reared by her mum, Matilda. Born on Wednesday 14th May, Christa’s name has been derived from her father, Christopher who sadly passed away last year. Both babies are doing well and can be seen in the family herd at Marwell. 
 
Tiye and Christa’s arrival took a long time as giraffes are pregnant for around 15 months. Keepers kept a close eye on both mums during this time and were delighted when both babies were born without any complications.  Head keeper for the giraffes, Ian Goodwin said: “We are thrilled that Christa and Tiye are doing so well. Christa is full of energy and Tiye is looking every inch like her mum and dad as she has inherited their attractive dark markings.”
 
Matilda and Mary are both very successful mums.  Christa is Matilda’s fifth calf. Her youngest son, Taharqa, can also be seen in the family herd. Mary is also mum to another giraffe, JaJa, who is still living with the family group at Marwell.
 
Keepers hope that in the future Matilda will breed with Kismet, Marwell’s recently arrived new male. Matilda and Kismet are pure bred Rothschild’s giraffes, a species of giraffe that are in danger of extinction. It is believed that there are only around 600 Rothschild giraffes left in a few protected areas in Kenya and in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.

Come and watch Sonic the Hedgehog and the visitors in action - children and adults alike - at the launch of the Spinnaker Tower's Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tournament, using Wii Nintendo gaming stations against the spectacular panoramic backdrop that the Spinnaker Tower provides. There will be a variety of photography, filming and interview opportunities available. On arrival at the mediacall please ask for Keira Relton.

Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega's popular computer games character, will be making a special appearance at the Spinnaker Tower on Wednesday 30 July as he launches the Tower's fantastic summer activities - the Spinnaker Tower's Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tournament. It coincides with the imminent Beijing Olympics and will be fun families and visitors of all ages as it's open to everyone from 5 to 95 years of age.
 
Visitors to the iconic Tower will be able to take part in the month-long Olympic-style challenge between 1pm and 5pm daily at no extra cost. With two Nintendo Wii gaming 'pods' on View Deck 1, set against a breath-taking backdrop, it will be the perfect opportunity for visitors to get into the spirit of things by playing simulated sports that will be played at this year's Olympics.
 
The challenge will be for visitors to win one of seven sports from Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games which will be 400m run, hammer, 110m hurdles, triple-jump, 100m freestyle swimming, rowing and even trampoline! There will be an on-site leader board, as well as one on the Spinnaker Tower's website (www.spinnakertower.co.uk) which will reveal the current best four competitors in each sport who then will take part in a spectacular semi-final, to be held on the tournament's final day - Wed 27 August.
 
The eventual winner of each sport will be put forward for entry into a GRAND Final on the same day, to determine the ultimate winner**. Whoever can master the Grand Final 'Dream Race' contest will win an amazing prize - tickets for 4 people to a sporting event of their choice* sponsored by Original. There will be a spectacular mock-Olympic ceremony for the finalists, including blocks, medals, and the national anthem to boot!
 
Not only that, the six runners up will win £50 worth of high street vouchers and there will be 21, £10 high street vouchers for the best runners up in each sport. And even if you don't make it to the finals, you could still be a winner as all participants will be entered into a fantastic free prize draw to win a brand new Nintendo Wii.
 
The Spinnaker Tower is open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm Sunday to Friday (last admission 5.30pm) and 10am to 10pm on Saturday throughout the year, except August when it's open 10.00am to 10.00pm daily. Entry into the tournament is free with admission to the Spinnaker Tower. For more information contact 02392 857520 or visit www.spinnakertower.co.uk . Visitors to the Spinnaker Tower can save money and beat the queues by booking online with a 10% discount, enabling visitors to select their exact date and time to visit, bypassing the queues on the day to enjoy the stunning views without the wait.

One of the largest historical re-enactment at the Historic Dockyard for five years will take place at this summer’s Navy Days-inspired Meet Your Navy.
A cast of hundreds of historical re-enactors will rub shoulders with the men and women of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and other members of Britain’s Armed Forces during the three-day event at Portsmouth Naval Base on July 25 – 27.
Meet Your Navy features three zones, past, present and future, and visitors will immediately be transported into Navy past as they enter the site via Victory Gate on The Hard.  The ticket includes entry to all the historic attractions including Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations.
Since Richard 1st granted the town called Portsmouth its first charter and ordered a dock to be built in 1194, the Dockyard has been associated with defence and latterly the Royal Navy.
The past zone sets the scene for the event, the biggest of its kind since the Trafalgar 200 celebrations and living history groups will recreate key moments in time when the Navy ruled the waves.
Henry VIII’s favourite warship Mary Rose was one of the King’s Fleet which heralded the start of the Royal Navy.  When the ship was excavated during the 1970s in the Solent, the original galley used to cook for the entire crew was retrieved.  A replica galley now stands near the entrance to the Historic Dockyard and this will be fired up and used to demonstrate just how they prepared food on the ship for officers and sailors alike by the Tudor Group.
Soldiers and marines from the 17th and 18th century will set up camps in the colonnades of the Georgian storehouses and there will be drill and firing displays throughout the event by Napoleonic riflemen.
HMS Victory will play host to a small group of 18th century re-enactors from the Senior Service and a Victory rigger will demonstrate how Nelson’s flagship was rigged in its day.
Ancient Wisdom will be alongside Victory performing a novel and imaginative interpretation of Nelson’s first triumph at the Battle of the Nile in 1799 and the Battle of Britain. 
There will be American confederates on board HMS Warrior 1860 as the Alabama Crew featuring officers, sailors and gunners man the 64 pounder guns and show life on board during the War of Independence.
The working dockyard will be brought alive by Victorian dock workers moving stores, promenading and even breaking into song and dance.
More recent history is represented by British and American troops en route to Normandy during the D-Day campaign and Forces 80 Living History Group depict the Falklands era.
On the water there will be the Steam Pinnace 199, which is the only remaining craft of its kind in working order, having served at the Battle of Jutland 90 years ago. Built in 1911, the Pinnace was restored to full working order with the financial support of the Friends of the Royal Naval Museum and HMS Victory.
 
Other historic craft include the Victory’s cutter and the Historical Maritime Society’s 23 foot launch featuring live firing gun.
 
Each day of the event will close with a faithful representation of the Beating the Retreat in the 1000-seater main arena. The ceremony dates back to the early days of chivalry when beating or sounding the retreat put a halt to the day’s fighting, a return to camp and the mounting of the guard for the night.
In addition to the extensive programme of historical re-enactments is the rare chance to board HMS Illustrious, seven other RN ships and a number of foreign naval vessels.  The world-renowned Red Arrows will take to the skies on the opening day, entertaining the crowds with a spectacular display.
Also confirmed are flying displays on all three days by the RN Historic Flight and modern-day RN helicopters. The Royal Marines will also get in on the act with a dazzling harbour display, fast-roping onto a vessel to rescue a damsel in distress.
The extravaganza afloat and ashore goes beyond what was once known as Navy Days. More than ever before it will give show-comers the exciting opportunity to truly meet and talk to the people who man the ships and look after them, who fill the ranks of the Royal Marines Commandos, who compete in the daring gun-run competitions and who will play the music throughout the three days.
Tickets are available online at www.meetyournavy.co.uk, through the ticket hotline 0871 230 5582, or tourist information centres at Portsmouth and Southsea and the Marriott Hotel, Portsmouth. A special advanced ticket price is available until 24th July.
 

A Viking longship is to make a special appearance at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 July as it makes its only mainland UK stopover on its voyage around the south of England, from Denmark.
 
The Sea Stallion Glenadlough, which is a reconstruction of the 30 metre long warship, Skuldelev 2- wreck, found on the bottom of Roskilde Fjord in 1962, was built using replica Viking Age tools and the same materials and techniques as found in the original ship. It will be on display for visitors to the Historic Dockyard throughout the weekend. For those wishing to step on board, there will be a small charge.
 
The world’s biggest Viking ship, the Sea Stallion is manned by a 62 strong crew who have rowed across the Irish Sea under extreme conditions in an open boat with little or no privacy or comfort. The aim of the whole voyage is to test the reconstruction itself and to provide new knowledge on Viking longships and society. 
 
Drusilla Moody, Tourism and Visitor Services Manager for Portsmouth City Council, who have helped to make the stopover possible, said:" We are very pleased to support the Viking ship's visit to the city as part of Archaelogy Week. This is another great attraction to pull in the crowds and make visiting the city a must for tourists."
 
A special free exhibition will also be provided by the Viking Ship Museum, (where the boat was built between 2000 and 2004). It will be on display in Boathouse 4, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from Saturday 29 June until Sunday 20 July, giving visitors an insight into the history of the Vikings.
 
The Sea Stallion’s visit is perfectly timed with Archaeology Week and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will be hosting a number of activities to mark this national initiative. The Mary Rose Museum will be running Archaeology in Action on 12 and 13 July and 19 and 20 July at 12noon and 2pm – 4pm, where visitors will meet the original divers that worked on the Mary Rose. In addition on 19 July at 12noon, there will also be a free talk on the Mary Rose Galley, covering its excavation and the latest research surrounding it. There will also be commemorations for the anniversary of the sinking of the Mary Rose with 'A survivor's story' where Geoff Pye from the Royal Armouries will interpret the sinking of the ship on 19 and 20 July 11am, 1.30pm, 3pm & 4pm, free with a valid attraction ticket.
 
HMS Victory will be providing special talks on How archaeology has helped to Restore HMS Victory, on 14 – 18 July at 2pm. Peter Goodwin the Keeper and Curator of HMS Victory, will explain how he has used archaeological techniques and research to restore Victory to her 1805 glory and this will be a free with valid attraction ticket.
 
There will also be a chance for children to explore archaeology on board the ship as part of Young Victory Archaeologists on 19 July between 10.30am - 12.30pm, where they can try their hand at archaeological drawing, have a go at solving some maritime mysteries and learn all about what can be discovered by using archaeology. This activity costs £5 per child (includes all materials and refreshments an all children must be accompanied by an adult). Places for both activities at HMS Victory must be booked in advance. Ring 023 9272 3137 for booking.
 
It is free to enter Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and visitors are welcome to visit any of the restaurants, retail shops and Antiques Storehouse without charge. Tickets are only required for the attractions. Annual Admission tickets are priced at adult £18.50, senior £16.50, child £14.00, family £51.50 (up to 5 members of the same family, maximum 2 adults/seniors) and give unlimited entry for one year to HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations and one entry to the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and a Harbour Tour (subject to the special events programme). Visitors are urged, where possible, to opt for the Gift Aid Annual Admission ticket that allows the charity-owned attractions to reclaim tax. Single Attraction tickets are also available and valid on day of purchase only.