I usually suspect pests like the the hydrangea leaf curler or the leafroller; winter damage; or chemical damage.

There has been no chemicals near either. I always cut them down in the autumn and never in early Spring. They are 180 miles apart yet have the same damage. I have not seen any insects at all but I guess I could be missing them. Also - it is not just the few leaves curling but the flowers not finishing their bloom opening. Could it be the rapid weather intensity because that was the same in both areas ? And mainly - will they live ??

Here's the blooms.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5745244/hydrangea-flowers#n=1

I had something similar happen to an Annabelle this year but only some of the flowers on a plant looked damaged. I did spray the lawn for weeds which I assumed was probably the culprit. A different Annabelle in another part of the yard had curled up leaves like your top photo and no blooms. It’s planted with paniculata hydrangeas that show no damage.