Tribute: Ricky Dibul Ahmed
Wendover is in mourning for one of its favourite adopted sons, Ricky Ahmed. We were lost when his wonderful restaurant, The Raj, was taken from us, but now Ricky is really gone. Thank you, Ricky, for all the wonderful times you gave us. COVID-19 has taken your warm smile from us. You will be sorely missed.
Individual tributes received by Wendover News include:
If your family, like ours, enjoyed going to The Raj you will be sad to know Ricky has passed away. As front of house I have never met anyone better – always welcoming – always polite – always professional.
We enjoyed over 21 years of fantastic meals with friends, special birthdays (always a cake ready). But the special memory for me was collecting a take-away; we would be welcomed on arrival and then sit at the bar to have a drink. Ricky would arrive, greet the staff, shake our hands, stand and talk to the customers. This was always special with the fire alight.
I was late to enjoy Indian cuisine and Ricky would get us to try different dishes; he always checked to see if we enjoyed them, and we did. Ricky was really good with children; he greeted them with a welcome smile and usually a chocolate to complete their visit. Whenever our granddaughters visited Wendover their number one place to eat was The Raj.
I was in there the night The Raj closed, collecting our usual take-away. When I left, Ricky followed me outside. We had a long chat. A week later I walked past, Ricky was in his scruffs painting. I popped in and noticed a big pile of sandwiches on a table ready for the team’s break. It was a privilege to have known Ricky at The Raj.
Roy Coates
So sad to hear the news that Ricky has passed away. He was always cheerful and went that extra step to ensure his customers were looked after. We visited The Raj every Friday and Ricky would go out to the kitchen to personally cook for us. It was very sad when The Raj had to close, but we always hoped that he would somehow manage to get back to Wendover. Now that will never happen. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.
Gary and Jean Richardson
I’ve been thinking what to say! I knew Ricky for over 25 years. Me and my friends had our 21st in the restaurant and he looked after us over many, many years. My pregnant wife was too hot on a lovely summer’s day. He moved people so she could sit under the airconditioning. When my daughter was diagnosed, he came forward insisting on doing fundraiser after fundraiser raising over £10k for Esme and Rett Syndrome sufferers. Sleep tight my friend, my family!! The stars gained a brighter star tonight!
Anthony Davison-Hoult
A happy welcoming smile and a kiss for a lady if you were lucky. The quality of the charity banquets he provided was only surpassed by his charm. His family were all brought up to talk to customers and they and his beautiful wife must miss him terribly. Wendover has lost a great personality and Tuesday Chums will not be the same without Ricky. We were avidly watching for Ricky to find new premises for us all to get together again. We are shocked by the news of his death! Thanks for the happy memories, Ricky.
Tuesday Chums
There have been many tributes to Ricky on social media in a variety of languages. Ricky’s family is preparing their own tribute which we hope to publish in the June print edition of Wendover News.
Wendover News features about Ricky and the Raj have included:
https://wendovernews.co.uk/news/local-face-ricky-dibul-ahmed/
https://wendovernews.co.uk/news/esmes-allstars-curry-night-22-feb-2014/
https://wendovernews.co.uk/print-editions/ April 2019, page 19, Closure of The Raj