
The Celtic Knot is a family owned and run business established in 1983 by Anne Wormack in Germany. She was joined by her late husband, Mike Wormack, in 1985 on his retirement from the US Air Force. Their son Michael has been part of the business from his early years and continues to help develop the company with his mother, now in it’s fifth decade. From the start the company’s ethos has been to provide quality merchandise from the British Isles highlighting it’s rich history and folklore.
A BIT OF BRITAIN
The first retail store was launched in 1985 under the business name A Bit of Britain, in downtown Bitburg (Germany). This was followed by a second store at USAF Spangdahlem. The merchandise reflected all aspects of British life and we had exclusivity of many British produsts available in Germany including Bosson Heads and David Winter cottages. Our reputation quickly blossomed and customers travelled from all over Germany and even Luxembourg and Belgium.
The early 1990’s saw expansion into the UK selling within the US Military community covering all Air Force bases and even up to Scotland with the US Navy.
THE CELTIC KNOT
Anne Wormack’s artistic background and specialty knowledge of woven textiles lead to the business evolving into The Celtic Knot. The redefined business found a new focus on Celtic design and textiles from Scotland and Ireland. Anne’s indepth research and interest in British history is reflected in the heraldic and historic side of the business. Michael’s now 20 years experience and education in the art and jewellery markets have been essential in the growth and development of The Celtic Knot.
Our flagship stores opened at RAF Mildenhall in 1993 and at USAF Ramstein in Germany in 1998. As the business has been well established with US military customers, the natural progression was to move into the American market. Two stores were first opened in Virginia at Langley Airbase and Fort Eustis in 1997, followed by our main US store opening in the university city of Charlottesville in 2001. For many years we were invited and established Christmas sales at the Pentagon in Washington DC.
SHOWS & BAZAARS
In conjunction with our permanent stores the business has exhibited at the many annual US Bazaars held throughout England and Germany. We are one of the longest serving exhibitors at the prestigious Ramstein bazaar in Germany, with our first sale there being 1983. As well as the USAF shows in England we have sold at Country Fairs and specialist sales at Manor Houses and Cathedrals. During our time in the US we exhibited at many of the Highland Games on the East coast of the US.
A NEW FUTURE ONLINE
It 2020, circumstances naturally have affected the progression of the business and our way forward was online with www.celticknot.co.uk. As it is in our blood, we continue to sell at specialist shows in Germany and England.