From the formation of the Brigade , money for social activities has been extremely limited. From 1960 to 1974, the whole operation of the Woodend Brigade depended upon the Rangiora County Council For funding of equipment and for extra equipment and for social activities etc donations and various projects within the community were undertaken.

In 1974, the Woodend Brigade become an auxiliary of the Rangiora Volunteer fire Brigade and came under the control of the Rangiora Urban Fire Authority. Thanks to the generosity of the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade some social monies were made available.

With the formation of the New Zealand Fire Service on the 1st April 1976, came a social grant. For Auxiliary Brigades this was set at $250 per year. The inadequacy of this was realised by the Brigade and prompted the Secretary and UFBA representative to present a paper to the UFBA Conference at Blenheim in March 1980. This resulted in some success, with the Fire Service Commission approving grants to Auxiliary Brigades of $400 in the 82/83 year, $800 in the 83/84 year and $1000 in the year 84/85.

1981 saw us enter a team in the Raft race for the New Brighton Challenge Paddle, without success on that occassion. In 1982, at Lyttelton we were placed 3rd and in 1983, again at Lyttelton we were successful in bringing home the paddle. In February 1984 we hosted the race on the Kaiapoi river and presented a trophy for a competition for the Ladies. We were unsuccessful at Kaiapoi , but the Ladies won the ladies trophy. In November 1984 at Waipara, we again challenged for the paddle but to no avail.

The first Social event to be held by the Brigade ( members & partners) was at the Woodend Hall ( later destroyed by fire in 1982) prior to Christmas 1964.